Just days after a controversial league defeat, Lazio exacted swift revenge on AC Milan, booking their place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night. The match, a tense and often tepid affair, was decided by a single moment of quality from Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni, who headed home the winner with ten minutes remaining.
The result flips the script from the weekend’s Serie A clash at San Siro, where a Rafael Leao goal and a late, contentious VAR decision not to award Lazio a penalty handed Milan a 1-0 win. This time, it was Maurizio Sarri’s side who emerged victorious by the same scoreline, advancing to face Bologna in the next round and ending Milan’s unbeaten run of over three months.
The narrative of the cup tie was heavily influenced by the recent history between the sides. The pre-match talk focused on the lingering frustration from Lazio’s perspective over the non-penalty call on Saturday, with manager Sarri and his squad channeling that energy into a determined performance. Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri, meanwhile, rotated his squad, handing a first start to summer signing Ardon Jashari after a long injury layoff and deploying Ruben Loftus-Cheek in a more advanced role.
The game itself was a cagey, tactical battle played at a slow tempo in freezing Roman conditions. Clear chances were at a premium for much of the evening. Lazio’s best first-half opportunity fell to Gustav Isaksen, whose powerful volley from a corner was superbly pushed away by the ever-reliable Mike Maignan. At the other end, Milan struggled to find their rhythm, with Leao and Loftus-Cheek largely isolated.
The contest seemed destined for a penalty shootout until the 80th minute. Substitute Nuno Tavares, who had just entered the fray, delivered an in-swinging corner from the right. Milan defender Koni De Winter reacted a fraction too late, allowing Zaccagni to peel away and guide a precise header past Maignan, sending the home fans into raptures.
Milan’s best chance to equalize had come just minutes before the decisive goal. Jashari, impressive on his return, played a visionary long pass to release Pervis Estupinan down the left. The full-back’s cut-back found Leao in a prime position, but the Portuguese forward, usually so clinical, blazed his left-footed shot over the bar from close range. Christian Pulisic, introduced late, forced a good save from Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late for the Rossoneri.
For Lazio, the victory was a statement of resilience and a boost for striker Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos, who made his first start since early October after a thigh injury. While not at his sharpest, his presence offered a different focal point compared to Boulaye Dia. The win also showcased the leadership of Zaccagni, whose goal was a captain’s contribution when his team needed it most.
For Milan, the defeat represents a stumble and the end of one of their stated seasonal objectives. Allegri’s side, now free of European commitments, will now focus solely on their Serie A title challenge, where they sit joint-top. However, the performance raised questions about their depth and attacking fluidity when key players are rested or off-form, as Leao was for large parts of the match.
The result sets up a quarter-final clash between Lazio and Bologna, while Milan must regroup quickly. The two Serie A giants, Lazio and Milan, have now split their recent encounters, with each defending their home turf with a narrow 1-0 victory, setting the stage for an intriguing next league meeting. The rivalry, intensified by the Coppa Italia drama and the lingering league controversy, is very much alive.