Mancini Wins AS Roma Over AC Milan In Europa League

AS Roma defender Gianluca Mancini et al celebrated the goal he scored in the Europa League match against AC Milan. (X/@OfficialASRoma)

JAKARTA - The first match of the Europa League quarter-finals was marked by the shock of AC Milan's fall. In the match between the Italian Serie A teams against AS Roma at the San Siro Stadium, Friday, April 12, 2024 in the morning WIB, Milan lost 1-0. Defender Gianluca Mancini scored the only goal for the capital team.

Mancini is again the star of Roma's victory. At the Derby della Capitale against Lazio, he also scored the only goal that won Roma.

This victory also broke Milan's unbeaten record against Roma since October 2019. They won six and drew three times.

Roma has also always lost at home to Milan since October 2017. This means that Roma broke the record of never winning at the San Siro for seven years.

This result is also Roma's valuable capital to advance to the semifinals. The reason is that the second quarter-final match will be held at Rome's home at the Stadio Olimpico, Friday, April 19, 2024 in the morning WIB.

Roma only need a draw to advance to the top four. On the other hand, Milan must win at least 2-0 to get rid of the Giallorossi.

In that duel, Milan took the initiative to attack. But coach Daniele De Rossi was able to build a strong Roma defense.

Even when he was under pressure, Roma managed to break into Mike Maignan's goal in the 17th minute. Starting from a corner kick by Paulo Dybala and being greeted by Mancini's header. The ball slid hard into the Rossoneri goal.

The goal was protested by Milan coach Stefano Pioli. Because Roma striker Romelu Lukaku was judged to be in an offside position before Mancini's goal.

Only referee Clement Turpin did not heed Pioli's protests. He also did not need to review the incident via VAR. Even the referee gave a yellow card to the Milan coach.

Milan actually tried to get up by pressing the opponent. They had a good chance and Olivier Giroud's header should have resulted in a goal. But Lukaku managed to clear the ball so that a goal failed to be created.

Milan again got the best chance Yacine Adli got in the 75th minute. Adli's cross had surprised Mile Svilar goalkeeper. But he was still able to ward it off so that the opportunity could not be converted into a goal.

No more goals were created. Until the end of the match, the score remained 1-0 for Roma who opened up their chances of qualifying for the semifinals.