Lazio 1-1 AC Milan
Joaquin Correa climbed off the bench to score a stunning last-minute equaliser in the Serie A match of the day, as Lazio drew with Milan at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
This was a big game for SBOBET Serie A 2018 as it looks like Lazio and Milan may well be battling it out for the fourth Champions League place next May. And after Correa equalised following an opener from Milan’s Franck Kessie, Simone Inzaghi’s side has held on to that fourth spot. It was tough on Genarro Gattuso and his team who had put up a brave fight and almost held out for a priceless win.
For Lazio, this was an opportunity missed as Milan entered the arena with a list of injuries longer than Gattuso’s arm. But in the end, the hosts were grateful for a point.
Highlights of the game
There was plenty at stake in this match and, in a frantic start, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic headed wide and Marco Parolo shot over for Lazio. Gonzalo Higuain’s red card against the Bianconeri meant Milan were without their best attacker, so Hakan Calhanoglu stepped up, having one shot blocked and then forcing a great save from Thomas Strakosha as his shot flew towards the top corner.
Lazio top scorer Ciro Immobile had two attempts on goal, one blocked and the second high and wide. Having started the game one behind the Serie A top scorer Immobile was itching to get his goal and was caught offside three times when almost through.
Marco Parolo came close with a long-range effort but the sides went in at the break level at 0-0. Pre-match Lazio vs Milan predictions were based on the Biancocelesti having enough guile to unlock an inexperienced Milan defence but for Gattuso, it was so far so good after 45 minutes.
Lazio emerged for the second half in determined mood, and Luis Alberto had a shot which was heading for the bottom corner saved well by Gianluigi Donnarumma; then Senad Lulic failed to convert from an Immobile corner. At the other end, Suso crossed for Fabio Borini and his header was saved by Strakosha as it was destined for the bottom corner of the Lazio stopper’s net.
The Rossoneri was still holding its own and Borini had another good shot saved and with a quarter of the game left Inzaghi rolled the dice, bringing on Joaquin Correa and Jordan Lukaku in search of that elusive goal.
That goal came, but not at the right end for the Lazio fans. Davide Calabria passed to Franck Kessie and he let fly from outside the penalty area and the ball flew high into the roof of the net.
Lazio stretched every sinew in an attempt to find an equaliser and Correa crossed for Immobile but his header was blocked. And it seemed like all was lost until the final dramatic act. 94 minutes had passed when Correa picked up the ball just outside the box and his shot was low and true into the bottom corner.
The Stadio Olimpico erupted, Inzaghi celebrated and Gattuso stared in disbelief.
Key Statistics
Milan held their own in the first half and had slightly more possession while losing the shot count by nine to five. But both sides had managed just a single shot on target.
Lazio upped the tempo in the second half ending up with 21 shots and five on target, but Milan almost snatched all three points.
The Rossoneri is still way ahead in the head-to-heads, with 25 wins to 11 in the 58 games played since 1993.
What’s next?
The earlier Serie A 2018 results saw Juventus pull eight points clear at the top as Napoli faltered at home to bottom club Chievo. But for these two teams, it’s all about finishing in the top four and Lazio has that position for now.
Neither made the Champions League places last season, though Lazio was cruelly denied in a controversial last game defeat to Inter and they will be determined to make the cut this time. In the meantime, they both have to contend with Europe’s second competition, and both Lazio and Milan are in good shape.
Lazio has a trip to Cyprus to take on Limassol in the Europa League, safe in second place in Group H on nine points, while their hosts have a solitary point.
Milan is in Group F in a three-way battle for the top two places and faces bottom team F91 Dudelange. The minnows from Luxembourg are yet to win a point.
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