AC Milan finally turned around their poor run of form with a surprising 2-1 victory over Roma at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Saturday night in Serie A.
A goal from Chelsea loanee Marco van Ginkel separated the two teams at half time and Mattia Destro put the Rossoneri two head in the second half before substitute Francesco Totti pulled one back for Roma from the spot.
The Giallorossi dominated the game in the early stages, keeping the ball well and pinning the home side back in their own half.
However, it was that Milan very nearly took the lead inside 15 minutes when Luca Antonelli played in Keisuke Honda. The Japanese international struck a dipping volley to force Morgan De Sanctis into an acrobatic save, tipping the ball over the bar.
Rudi Garcia’s men responded promptly by hitting the post from a guided Kostas Manolas header which bounced at an awkward height for a sprawling Lopez.
For all their possession in the first half, Roma struggled to create much in the way of chances, and it was the Rossoneri who finished the half stronger.
A couple of openings down the right gave the visitors due warning of what was to come, as crosses from Destro and Honda had to be cleared and a Giacomo Bonaventura header was kept out by De Sanctis.
But Roma didn’t heed the warning signs, and five minutes before half time, Van Ginkel made his mark.
The Dutchman was first to the ball with Radja Nainggolan slow to react, and slotted the ball home at the near post after Honda broke forward on a quick counter and crossed.
The second half got off to a slow start, but for a rasping Florenzi volley that didn’t swerve quite enough to beat Lopez inside his near post.
But just short of the hour mark, the Rossoneri doubled their lead as Destro abandoned any doubt over his conflicted interests.
The 24-year-old launched himself at Honda’s cross and sent a thunderous header into the back of the net from close range with Astori second best.
The Giallorossi needed a reply, and their chance came with the gift of a fairly innocuous penalty for a foul on Juan Iturbe by Alex. The recently introduced Francesco Totti stepped up and stroked the ball just right of centre of the goal and saw it fortunately sneak underneath Lopez.
Having looked on course for a much needed victory, Milan now cut vulnerable figures as Roma surged forward.
Juan Iturbe who had won the penalty, was a menace in attack with his pace noticeably worrying the likes of Nigel De Jong. The Argentine had a shot blocked as he found himself getting behind the defence frequently.
The Giallorossi again struggled to create any clear cut chances.
The finale wasn’t without tension though, as Inzaghi perhaps too worked up for the officials’ liking and was sent to the stands as Milan held on to an overdue three points.
