Massimiliano Allegri’s AC Milan were eliminated in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, suffering a painful 1-0 defeat against Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. Despite beating Bari and Lecce earlier, last year’s finalists exit the tournament early.
The first half proved intense yet goalless, as Mike Maignan made vital saves to deny Castellanos and Isaksen. Milan pushed forward after halftime, with Loftus-Cheek threatening and Rafael Leão missing a massive chance in the seventy-first minute. However, it was Lazio’s captain Mattia Zaccagni who decided the contest in the eightieth minute, heading home a Nuno Tavares corner after the Rossoneri defense left him unmarked. Maignan prevented a second goal from Noslin, while Lazio keeper Mandas secured the victory by stopping Pulisic’s stoppage-time equalizer.
Consequently, Lazio advances to the quarter-finals to face Vincenzo Italiano’s Bologna, sadly ending Milan’s domestic cup campaign just days after their controversial Serie A match encounter concluded.