AC Milan vs Lazio football review in round 13 of Serie A

Overview

Thanks to the goalkeeper's inspiring performance and a bit of luck, AC Milan won the first match of the season at the della Madonnina. They beat Inter 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Christian Pulisic.

While Pulisic deserves praise, captain Mike Maignan is the real hero of the Rossoneri with many spectacular saves. Including a successful penalty save by former Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu.

This victory helped Massimiliano Allegri's team take a lead over their city opponent in the Serie A rankings. They were only 2 points behind leaders Roma, and marked Milan's fourth victory in six derbies since the beginning of last season.

This result also extended their unbeaten streak to 12, further strengthening their ambition to win the Scudetto, with the foundation of a solid defense. In the first 12 matches of Serie A, Milan kept a clean sheet in half of the matches and only lost once.

The next 3 points will help Milan take the lead, before Roma meet Napoli and Inter visit Pisa. However, they will have to prepare to face the improving Lazio.

Lazio's loss to Inter earlier this month at the San Siro was still their only defeat since their loss in the della Capitale Derby at the end of September.

Last week, Biancocelesti came back strongly with a 2-0 home win over Lecce, when Tijjani Noslin scored his first goal in Serie A in more than a year, helping the home team win all 3 points.

This result took Lazio to eighth place in the rankings, close to the group of teams with a place in the European Cup, and marked the fifth clean sheet in the last 6 matches.

However, before the trip to the second largest city of Italy, the capital club spent nearly 300 minutes away from home without scoring, since captain Mattia Zaccagni scored against Genoa two months ago.

Limited by a transfer ban and a long list of injuries, veteran coach Maurizio Sarri has to rely on the available platform.

The first confrontation between Sarri and Allegri took place about 22 years ago, when both were still leading teams in Serie C2. Since then, in 19 encounters, the current Milan coach has won 11 matches, compared to Sarri's 4 wins.

Personnel situation

Milan may have to make at least one change to the winning derby lineup, as Christian Pulisic has physical problems. Allegri has not completely ruled out the American star, but it is likely that Pulisic will be out with striker Santiago Gimenez.

This will help Rafael Leao and Christopher Nkunku stand side by side in the familiar 3-5-2 formation. The home side are also without young defender Zachary Athekame, but Lazio face a longer absence list.

Sarri will not have the services of Samuel Gigot, Matteo Cancellieri and Nic Rovoloella. At the same time, Danilo Cataldi and Taty Castellanos are also leaving open the possibility of playing.

Senegalese striker Boulaye Dia will replace Castellanos in attack. Meanwhile, despite being 38 and nearing retirement, Pedro is still a formidable threat. The former Barcelona player has come off the bench 10 times this season, and will definitely be on the bench for the next match.

Expected lineup:

AC Milan: Maignan, Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi, Leao, Nkunku.

Lazio: Provedel, Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini, Guendouzi, Vecino, Basic, Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni.