AC Milan faced a 0-1 defeat against AS Roma in the UEL clash

AC Milan was feigned to surrender against AS Roma in the first leg of the 2023/2024 Europa League quarter-finals at the San Siro on Thursday(11th April 2024). This duel was fierce and intense both the Italian sides created several opportunities. Unfortunately, only one goal was scored and the goal was scored by the 27-year-old defender Gianluca Mancini. This result gave AS Roma the upper hand while heading into the second leg of the contest.

However, The Rossoneri still has a chance to reverse the score in the second leg at the Olimpico. AC Milan had quite a hard time facing AS Roma at the start of the first half because Roma pressed from the attack line. However, they slowly gained control of the match in the eighth minute, the 25-year-old midfielder Reijnders even had a chance to shoot at Roma's goal but the ball was still pushed over by the goalkeeper.

In the 15th minute, Milan's goal was almost conceded. The 31-year-old Italian left-winger El Shaarawy kicked the ball in the penalty box but the ball hit the Rossoneri defender. The ball bounced into the goal but fortunately, Maignan was still able to push it out of the field in the 16th minute from a corner kick, Milan conceded the goal. Mancini successfully broke through Maignan's goal with a header in the middle of the penalty box after breaking free from Loftus-Cheek's control and gave 0-1 to the visitors.

Milan then almost scored a goal back from Giroud's header from a corner kick but Lukaku could still block the ball with his head. The duel then took place toughly and the tension of the match was also quite high. In the 41st minute, Milan got a chance from Reijnders' kick from outside the penalty box after receiving a pass from the right flank. However, the ball which was heading towards the bottom left side of the goal was still blocked by the goalkeeper. In the end, no additional goals were scored and the La Magica took an unassailable lead of 0-1.

In the second half, AC Milan tried to control the course of the match they pressed the AS Roma defense and tried to patiently dismantle the opponent's defense. In the 61st minute, Cristante had the opportunity to hit the Milan defense the 29-year-old midfielder fired a hard shot from right halfspace but the ball went wide to the side of the goal. In the 71st minute, Reijnders fired hard from outside the penalty box. The ball headed towards the bottom left corner of the goal but was saved by the goalkeeper, Milan then dominated possession of the ball. They continued to surround Rome's defenses in the 86th minute of the game, the Hosts had a golden opportunity. Chukwueze spiked the Roma defense and sent a pass to Giroud, the French striker fired the first time but the ball only hit the crossbar.

In the end, Milan couldn't score a goal at all and Roma defeated AC Milan by 0-1.

Lineup

AC Milan: Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Matteo Gabbia, Malick Thiaw, Theo Hernandez, Ismael Bennacer, Tijjani Reijnders, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Rafael Leao, Olivier Giroud

Coach: Stefano Pioli

AS Roma: Mile Villar; Zeki Celik, Chris Smalling, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Spinazzola, Leandro Paredes, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku, Stephan El Shaarawy

Coach: Daniele De Rossi