Rafael Leao opened the scoring for AC Milan before substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the second and maintained AC Milan's perfect start to the season in Serie A
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the oldest foreign player to score in Italian top-flight football. He netted AC Milan’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Lazio. Rafael Leao scored the opening goal at San Siro in the 45th minute. Ibrahimovic, coming as a sub, netted from close range in the second half. In the other match of the day, AS Roma beat Sassuolo 2-1 at Stadio Olimpico. Roma boss Jose Mourinho’s 1000th game in management ended in victory thanks to El Shaarawy’s late winner.
AC Milan looked like the more attack-minded side as they put continuous pressure on the Lazio defence from the start. Sandro Tonali’s deep cross from the right side found Leao at the far post, but the 22-year-old’s header side-netted.
Towards the end of first half, Leao started the move from the halfway mark. The Portuguese forward easily went past Lucas Leiva. He dribbled forward and was assisted by Rebic before placing the ball inside the Lazio goal.
Milan missed an opportunity to extend the lead. Frank Kessie earned a penalty for a foul on him inside the box. But, the Ivory Coast international’s attempt from the penalty spot hit the crossbar and then his header from the rebound went over.
However, In the 66th minute, Rebic provided a brilliant assist for substitute Ibrahimovic to tap-in from close range. The Swede was making a comeback since injuring his knee in May. At 39 years and 344 days old, Ibrahimovic surpassed Bruno Alves’ record as the oldest foreign player to score in Serie A.
The former Ajax, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester United man has now scored in 24 different league seasons, dating back to the 1998-99 Swedish League.
The win helped Milan to nine points from three games. They are second in the Serie A table, behind Roma.
Roma went ahead through Bryan Cristante’s goal in the 37th minute. Lorenzo Pellegrini’s clever pass from a free-kick was slotted in by the Italian midfielder.
Sassuolo equalized in the 57th minute. Berardi spun brilliantly to beat his marker and provided the assist for Filip Djuricic to score from close range.
At the other end, Sassuolo keeper Andrea Consigli made a brilliant save to deny Pellegrini. Tammy Abraham’s attempt from the rebound hit the post. It was an open, end-to-end action. Roma keeper Rui Patricio made two big saves when one-on-one with Berardi and Jeremie Boga.
Sassuolo substitute Hamed Junior’s thunderous shot from outside the box clattered onto the foot of the post. However the home side held on and scored a late winner as Shaarawy curled a shot in off the post to earn the three points.
Meanwhile Alessio Dionisi’s side thought they had equalized through Gianluca Scamacca’s volley but was disallowed for offside. Roma are placed on top of the table with a maximum of nine points from three games.
