Yahoo Sports Serie A | Milan 1-1 Roma: Dybala responds to Reijnders
Milan and Roma both badly needed the victory, so this share of the spoils boosts nobody’s fortunes as the Paulo Dybala volley cancelled out a Tijjani Reijnders opener.
Theo Hernandez returned and was given the captain’s armband after clearing the air with Paulo Fonseca, so Alex Jimenez moved into a more advanced role with Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Yunus Musah, Noah Okafor and Alessandro Florenzi injured. The Giallorossi were still missing Bryan Cristante, but started Alexis Saelemaekers against his parent club after the 5-0 win over Parma.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
Mile Svilar almost fumbled a dangerous Tijjani Reijnders free kick routine, but Artem Dovbyk had a huge opportunity after 11 minutes with a well-worked move between Paulo Dybala and Saelemaekers, the Ukrainian’s finish thumping the base of the upright.
Instead, Milan broke the deadlock when Youssouf Fofana sprinted from midfield, completed a give and go with Alvaro Morata then spread it down the right for Reijnders to sweep first-time into the top corner with the inside of the right boot from 14 yards.
It really should’ve been 2-0 moments later with a very similar move, but this time Morata fired wide of the near post from the Alex Jimenez assist on another counter-attack.
Theo Hernandez stung Svilar’s gloves from outside the area, but Roma equalised with a goal of sheer class. Dovbyk flicked up the Niccolò Pisilli ball with his heel and set it up perfectly for the Dybala volley with the weaker right foot from just inside the box.
Samuel Chukwueze failed to make the most of an Angelino error, but Milan were furious when Reijnders gathered a Chukwueze pull-back and flicked it on, then collided with Pisilli in full slide. With penalty appeals rejected, Paulo Fonseca was sent off for dissent.
Ismael Bennacer was introduced for the second half, his first appearance since a serious calf strain in August.
Mike Maignan denied Dovbyk at the near post on another rapid counter-attack, but scorchers from outside the box by Bennacer and Chukwueze both forced difficult saves from Svilar.
However, Chukwueze then pulled up clutching his thigh and was another addition to the long injury list, replaced by Roma-owned Tammy Abraham.
The Rossoneri poured forward trying to restore their advantage, but also ran a risk with Pisilli on the counter-attack and Fofana charging down the Dybala volley, before Maignan’s save on Stephan El Shaarawy’s swerving attempt from the resulting corner.
Eldor Shomurodov’s header from a free kick was fingertipped onto the crossbar by Maignan at the 88th minute, but the Roma substitute was offside anyway.
Lorenzo Pellegrini ran onto the Dybala slide-rule pass moments later, but Alex Jimenez did just enough to stop him getting the finish away cleanly.
Dybala also blasted just over from the edge of the area in stoppages.
Milan 1-1 Roma
Reijnders 16 (M), Dybala 23 (R)
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