1 September 2023: A visit to the capital city presents an early test for Milan (2-0-0) after a pair of less-than-convincing wins - how will their new look play in the Olimpico against the upper echelon of Serie A? No changes for the rossoneri as Stefano Pioli looks to establish some early-season continuity . . .
Roma (3-5-2): Patricio; Llorente, Samlling, Mancini; Celik, Paredes, Cristante, Aouar, Zalewski; El Shaarawy, Belotti
Milan (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek (Okafor 65), Krunic, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao
A brutal thrashing in front of a gladiatorial crowd at the Stadio Olimpico, as Milan are put to the sword quickly and comprehensively by the giallorossi. The ring of the opening whistle had barely had a chance to recede when Belotti forced a turnover in the center circle, took a return pass from Cristante as he powered down the wing, and launched a cross which Aouar was left alone to head home. It only got worse from there, as barely another quarter-hour had expired before Roma were on the board again. Aouar was again the man of the minute, beating Thiaw one-on-one in the box and drilling the ball into the top corner past a helpless Maignan. For the first time this season, there would be no halftime turnaround - Roma continued to pepper the Milan goal while the visitors could hardly make a dent at the other end. In the 64th minute the continued pressure came to a head when Belotti was pulled down by Thiaw in the area; Paredes had his PK parried by Maignan, but Belotti followed his own kick to bang home the rebound. Like a poorly-edited film from a cruel direttore, the same scene played out again fifteen minutes later when Belotti was again bundled to the ground at close range and this time Paredes converted the spot kick. Milan were absent for the entire 90 minutes, managing but a single shot on goal with no corners or offsides, while committing thirteen fouls; a dismal showing, and lots of work to do. [scoresheet]
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