AC Milan – Lazio Roma: Midfield Pressing Trigger Breaks The Sarri Rhythm (2-0)

At a pivotal point of the season, Lazio Roma had a chance to regain some distance on Serie A’s European royal rumble: but AC Milan flexed their strengths to keep them in a dramatic climax to the campaign. Strong out of possession work and left-sided combinations provided an important three points with huge games left to play.
Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

With Napoli having made it to paradise, six clubs are left competing for three Champions League spots. No room left to slip.

There could be a possibility that AC Milan could reach a Champions League final without the security of qualifying for next year's competition. No game is bigger than Derby della Madonnina, but Stefano Pioli has to keep tabs on the league form, with Milan going into this game in sixth position and two points away from the top four. 

A victory against Lazio would not only provide a huge three points but also drag their opponents closer to the crowd. Lazio had slight headway over the rest of the bunch, but a repeat of the collapse last weekend - a 3-1 defeat at the San Siro to Internazionale - would put their position in jeopardy. Nevertheless, the team from the capital have come the closest to Sarrismo since his iconic Napoli team.

Pioli has often made a huge amount of rotation between European fixtures, but he saved his key players for Lazio. Eight changes were made from the 1-1 draw to Cremonese, which only saw Mike Maignan, captain Davide Calabria and Ismaël Bennacer stay in the 4-2-3-1 system. Rafael Leão did start but would be replaced . . .