“Maignan guessed the right angle and palmed his spot-kick out of the bottom corner.”
AC Milan closed in on Serie A leaders Napoli with a crucial 1-0 victory over Roma at San Siro, according to Football Italia reporting. Strahinja Pavlovic’s first-half strike and Mike Maignan’s late penalty save proved decisive in a high-stakes clash between two title contenders.
Roma began strongly, with Bryan Cristante and Paulo Dybala missing early chances after Milan’s shaky defending. Neil El Aynaoui and Wesley also tested Maignan from distance, but the hosts struck against the run of play in the 39th minute. Alexis Saelemaekers launched a swift counterattack, Rafael Leao broke down the left, and Pavlovic tapped home from close range to put Milan ahead.
Roma pushed for an equaliser after the break, but Milan’s defence held firm. Mile Svilar made key saves to deny Youssouf Fofana and Leao, while Christopher Nkunku hit the post from Luka Modric’s corner. The visitors were handed a lifeline in the 82nd minute when Fofana handled Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free kick inside the box.
However, Maignan guessed correctly to palm Dybala’s penalty away from the bottom corner. To compound Roma’s woes, Dybala appeared to tweak his thigh muscle during the incident and was forced off immediately.
The result sees Milan move within one point of Napoli, while Roma drop level with Gasperini’s Atalanta in second. “It was a battle of mentality and focus,” said Milan coach after the tense encounter, as his side strengthened their Scudetto credentials.