By Petar Todorovski
Milan dropped points again after being unable to break Lazio defensive line despite the terrain domination, playing 0-0. With this point Rossonerri extended the lead ahead of Napoli on five points, but the team from the south of Italy yet has to play the their game with Chievo on away turf.
While Milan players were still sleeping the start, Aquile made the first scoring opportunity through traquerista Hernanes, but his shot didn’t finish into the net. After that Allegri’s boys woke up and began occupying the field.
Ibracadabra created the first chance for his team with an amazing pass to the new acquisition Urby Emanuelson, who could score his debut goal, but his effort wasn’t quite good.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued to make problems to Lazio defense, but his team mates weren’t inspired as him, so Lazio easily managed to stop his efforts. They could even take the lead without too much active play, when Libor Kozak forced Christian Abbiati tip the ball over the cross bar after a great header. However, the half time result remained 0-0.
Milan started the second half with clear domination that usually brings result. Unfortunately for them, this time it did not. Minutes after the whistle Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the each post with ball rolling on the goal line in the meantime. It seemed that the ball just doesn’t want to get into the net.
Robinho was unlucky to score right after. His shot was cleared from the line by Giuseppe Biava and a lot of other shots by him finished wide in the times when Milan made a great pressure. However, it didn’t give any positive outcome.
Lazio proceeded with great defending, without creating any chances to get all three points. It gave Milan chance to keep pressing to the opponents’ goal. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had the last opportunity, but his shot went high and wide, contributing for a goalless draw to be the final result.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri was certainly disappointed with the outcome, particularly having in mind the possession of the ball and the number of chances each team created. “Lazio defended very well and we hardly shot, but we had come into the game having played six games spaced out every three days,” he stated. “In the first half we were a bit rushed and we made too many errors passing. There was confusion at times, but we played well in other moments. It’s the third game we have not conceded, and so this is good,” he continued, trying to find positives in the draw.
Unlike him Edy Reja was very satisfied. “We head back home with a very good point. One cannot expect to go to Milan and play their game,” he shortly admitted.
Now Milan will wait for the rest of this round’s games to make it clear about their real position after this draw. Napoli is closest at this moment, five points behind, but this gap could melt on only two points if they manage to beat Chievo. The next opportunity for Milan to extend the lead will be against Genoa.
