- As Roma defeated AC Milan 2-1, completing a 3-1 aggregate victory and securing a semifinal Europa League matchup with Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen.
- Roma took an early lead in the second leg of the quarterfinals thanks to a goal from close range in the 12th minute by defender Gianluca Mancini
- Paulo Dybala doubled the lead for the home team with a curled drive inside the far post.
As Roma defeated AC Milan 2-1, completing a 3-1 aggregate victory and securing a semifinal Europa League matchup with Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen.
Roma took an early lead in the second leg of the quarterfinals thanks to a goal from close range in the 12th minute by defender Gianluca Mancini, who had earlier in the week helped Roma defeat Milan 1-0 at the San Siro with a header.
Ten minutes later, Paulo Dybala doubled the lead for the home team with a curled drive inside the far post. Five minutes from time, Matteo Gabbia gave Milan a response by nodding in a cross from forward Rafael Leao.
Roma has never lifted the Europa League; they have only been second twice, including the previous year when they lost to Sevilla in the final game.
How Roma won the match
Romelu Lukaku and Theo Hernandez during the game. Photo/ Goal
Gianluca Mancini, who scored in the first leg, opened the scoring in the 12th minute by scoring from close range after a drive from Lorenzo Pellegrini had deflected off the post. It was Mancini’s first chance of the game.
Milan nearly leveled the score in the 20th minute when Ruben Loftus-Cheek struck the crossbar. However, Roma doubled their lead for the game and took a 3-0 lead overall in the 22nd minute when Paulo Dybala scored an incredible goal into the far corner following clever play from Romelu Lukaku.
But in the 31st minute, Celik’s harsh red card for a careless challenge on Rafael Leao, who was bursting free down the left, gave Milan a glimmer of hope.
Due to this, both managers made tactical substitutions before halftime. Daniele De Rossi substituted Diego Llorente for Milan’s Ismael Bennacer, a midfielder, and Stefano Pioli started Luka Jovic in place of Dybala to strengthen Roma’s defense.
The one-man advantage undoubtedly created more space for the visitors as they increased their pressure late in the half, but Roma’s defense held firm, and Milan had a very difficult time getting back.
After the break, Milan controlled the ball better and their assaults gained momentum. However, Leonardo Spinazzola’s solo run and poor attempt were stopped by goalie Mike Maignan, giving Roma a 3-0 lead.
Early in the second half, Christian Pulisic gave Milan a half-chance, but the American international’s shot was constantly going over the Roma crossbar.
The hosts continued to pose a serious danger on the break, and just before the hour mark, Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan had to make a quick save to stop a low drive from Leonardo Spinazzola.
Roma’s Tammy Abraham was the next to try his luck; the striker’s close-range attempt was blocked, and Milan kept creating space at the back because they wanted to commit guys forward.
Dybala celebrates as Roma beat AC Milan. Photo/ VOI
It was always going to be too little, too late, but in the 85th minute, defender Matteo Gabbia nodded a cross from Leao towards the bottom corner to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.
After a VAR assessment, Theo Hernandez’s straight red card for a challenge on Stephan El Shaarawy in second-half stoppage time was reversed. Milan was able to keep all 11 players on the field, although they lost 3-1 overall and were eliminated from the tournament.
Milan’s focus will now shift to Monday’s thrilling Serie A matchup against Inter Milan; a defeat for Stefano Pioli’s team would allow their opponents to clinch the championship with five games remaining.
In the meanwhile, De Rossi’s club will play Roma at home against Bologna on Monday in an attempt to extend their winning streak in the Italian league to eight games.
Roma has only won three of the previous fifteen games against Milan; the other two were a 2-1 home victory in Serie A in October 2019 and the victory in the first leg last week.
The first leg of the semifinals will take place on May 2 and the second leg will be played a week later. The final will take place in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 22.
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