- Third consecutive Serie A defeat deepens AC Milan's crisis
- Late penalty controversy after Pavlovic's 67th-minute red card
- Rossoneri drop to ninth place, overtaken by resurgent Roma
- Lazio climbs to fourth with dramatic stoppage-time winner
- Bologna maintains European push with comeback victory over Cagliari
AC Milan's season hit new lows Sunday as a controversial stoppage-time penalty handed Lazio a dramatic 2-1 victory at San Siro. The Rossoneri appeared to salvage a point through Samuel Chukwueze's 84th-minute header despite playing with 10 men after Strahinja Pavlovic's dismissal. However, goalkeeper Mike Maignan's challenge on Gustav Isaksen prompted a VAR review, allowing veteran forward Pedro to convert the decisive spot-kick eight minutes into added time.
The result marks Milan's fifth winless match across all competitions, including their Champions League group stage elimination. Stefano Pioli's side now sits ninth in Serie A - their lowest position since September 2022 - having been leapfrogged by rivals Roma. Industry analysts suggest the club could face €35-40 million in lost revenue from missing European competition, increasing pressure on management to secure continental qualification.
Regional rivals Roma capitalized on Milan's stumble with a 2-1 comeback win against Como. Substitute Alexis Saelemaekers inspired the turnaround, scoring a deflected equalizer before assisting Artem Dovbyk's winner. The victory extends Roma's unbeaten league run to 11 matches under Claudio Ranieri, positioning them as dark horses for Champions League qualification.
Lazio's triumph propels them into fourth place, intensifying the race for European spots. Despite midweek Coppa Italia elimination, Maurizio Sarri's team showed resilience through Mattia Zaccagni's opener and disciplined defensive organization. The capital club now sits one point ahead of Juventus, who face potential squad rotation after their own Coppa Italia exertions.
Bologna strengthened their European credentials with a 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Cagliari. Riccardo Orsolini's brace highlighted the growing influence of Italian-developed talent, with 63% of Bologna's goals this season coming from domestic players. This contrasts sharply with Milan's reliance on foreign signings, sparking debates about youth development strategies in Serie A.
As the January transfer window approaches, Milan's hierarchy faces critical decisions. Sporting director Giorgio Furlani must balance Financial Fair Play constraints with fan demands for reinforcements. Emerging reports suggest the club could prioritize defensive signings following Pavlovic's suspension and Fikayo Tomori's recurring fitness issues.
