Milan End Lazio's Perfect Home Record

Milan send a message out to the rest of Serie A as goals from Andrea Bertolacci, Philippe Mexes and Carlos Bacca see them Lazio's winning run at the Stadio Olimpico.

Knowing what was riding on the game, plenty of physical tackles were going in as the match started. Milan's Alessio Cerci looked lively as did Giacomo Bonaventura. The former Torino man was played off the shoulder of the defenders the whole night and often found space in behind. Lazio were struggling to get on the ball and when they did, poor decision making meant that the ball was regularly lost. 20 minutes in, Milan's 16 year old goal keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was yet to be tested.

Milan made their dominance pay off. Cerci picked up the ball on the right and an in-swinging cross/shot was poorly dealt with by Federico Marchetti who palmed the ball into the path of Andrea Bertolacci who put the ball in the back of the net. Mihajlovic's summer signing with his first goal for the club. Lazio looked lethargic, lost and their perfect home record this season was in jeopardy.

Alessio Cerci had an excellent chance to double their lead. From a free kick, Riccardo Montolivo picked out a superb pass to Cerci who had a foot on his man. The winger killed the ball with his first touch before trying to guide a shot into the far corner only for the upright to come to the rescue of Lazio. If there was ever a move that deserved a goal, this was it as the vision of Montolivo and technique of Cerci was incredible.

The home side did get their first shot on target shortly before the break. Felipe Anderson cut in off the right, pegged the Milan defender before his shot ricocheted into the arms of Donnarumma. It was the first time, their talisman got on the ball, but his shot was easily dealt with by the keeper. As the first half concluded, the Milan display would have deluighted Mihajlovic while Stefano Pioli would have loads to think about and the Olimpico faithful made their thoughts heard.

Lazio needed a big improvement in the second half and a free kick into the box caused concern as Alex collided with his keeper and seemed to be out cold before he hit the floor. Philippe Mexes was his replacement and he had an immediate impact. Bonaventura's free kick into the box was met by the head of Mexes and he doubled the lead just 40 seconds since entering the game. Questions must be asked of Marchetti as well as the defensive line which failed to track the run of the goal scorer. 

Confidence was drained in the Lazio ranks while Milan were enjoying playing their football with a distinct swagger - Bonaventura's elastico that won a free kick was evidence of this. Pioli needed to change personnel if they were to get back in the game. Another chance came for Milan through Juraj Kucka as he got in behind the defence. With Carlos Bacca in the box, he failed to find the Colombian first time and when the cross was put in, it was cleared by Mauricio.

A cross was swung into the box and caused confusion for the Milan defenders. With Senad Lulic arriving, he controlled but was unable to lift the ball over the 6 ft 5 Milan keeper. Positive signs that Lazio can get more chances out of a defence that has only kept one clean sheet all season. Substitute, Ricardo Kishna thought that he had given Lazio a lifeline after he turned a ball into the net after a save from Donnarumma, however the assistant referee ruled the goal out for offside. It may have been disallowed but it did give the home side a much needed lift.

The lift was only temporary. Carlos Bacca rounded the keeper and scored after receiving the ball of Bonaventura who secured his second assist of the night. Milan never let Lazio get a foothold in the game and the margin does not flatter the away side one bit. With the victory secured, a clean sheet was next on the agenda, however Kishna dashed hopes of this on 85 minutes with a powerful shot that beat the Milan keeper at his near post.

Milan leave Rome with all three points as well as a good performance in an open game. They end their 6 year wait for a victory in the Stadio Olimpico and this victory sets them on there way to achieve a third placed finish that would see Champions League football return to the San Siro.