Fly Milan that beat Lazio, conquer the third consecutive victory, pass the first exam against one of the “seven sisters” candidates for the title and join Napoli at the top of the standings. A test of strength and quality that of the Rossoneri who carry on with Leao at the end of the first half, miss a penalty with Kessié in the recovery and seal the result with Ibrahimovic’s goal in the second half. It takes the Swedish striker only five minutes to sign the scoresheet amid the delirium of the 36,000 fans present at San Siro. Samurai braid, determined to return to celebrate with the public after four months of absence due to injury, Zlatan takes the stage and is one of the positive news for Pioli. This Milan is not only Ibra but having recovered him in time for the cycle of fire that awaits the Rossoneri is fundamental, especially for the emotional management of the return to the Champions League. And as Pioli says after the challenge: «Ibra never gets old».
Lazio, on the other hand, takes a step back, plays at a too slow pace, lacks aggression. On paper, the Biancocelesti should have forced Maignan to work overtime, but in reality, despite a very offensive formation, they little worry the Romagnoli-Tomori couple. On the contrary, the biancoceleste rearguard is found uncovered, almost stationary, on the occasion of the two Rossoneri goals. Leao’s network that unlocks the game, after a nice triangulation with Rebic, shows the difficulties of Acerbi and his companions. Immobile does not make the difference, on the contrary, he lets Kessié anticipate in his own area and commits a foul. Penalty granted with the help of the Var but the Ivorian makes a mistake and hits the crossbar, even getting some racist buu from the Lazio ultras. Fans are also negative protagonists against Bakayoko – as already happened in 2019 – to whom they dedicate a racist chorus at the entrance to the field.
Sarri, very controversial with the referee, nervous enough to fight even with Pioli during the match, is sent off after the final whistle because he takes it out on Saelemaekers in a moment of tension on the pitch, shouting “you must show respect”. Too much tension for a very delicate but not decisive match. Pioli, on the other hand, can rejoice at the umpteenth excellent performance of Tonali, a dam in midfield, for Leao’s goal that gives morale to the very proactive young striker, for the decisive passes of Rebic on the occasion of the goals. Then there is Ibra, who does not have ninety minutes in the legs, but psychologically shifts the balance of the games. AC Milan, which makes many changes to manage their energies but never disunites, thus arrives in the best possible way for their debut in the Champions League on Wednesday against Liverpool. On Sunday there is Juventus in Turin, another direct match, but it is not a gamble to say that Milan deservedly arrives there with the favors of the odds. The eight-point advantage over the Bianconeri was hardly predictable but the Rossoneri continue to prove that they are no longer a surprise, but a team that can fight for the top.