Milan 1-2 Lazio Player Ratings: Pedro’s Late Penalty Seals Dramatic Victory at San Siro

Lazio secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro, with Pedro’s late penalty ensuring three vital points in the race for European qualification. Despite Milan’s valiant efforts with ten men, Lazio capitalized on their numerical advantage to seal the win deep into stoppage time.

The match began with Lazio asserting dominance early on, creating multiple chances inside the opening minutes. Boulaye Dia had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the third minute, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Mike Maignan. Milan struggled to find their rhythm, and Lazio’s persistence paid off in the 28th minute when Mattia Zaccagni capitalized on a rebound to tap home after Maignan parried a shot from Adam Marusic.

Milan’s lack of attacking impetus was evident, with Joao Felix providing one of their few bright moments, narrowly missing the target in the 40th minute. Lazio entered the break with a deserved 1-0 lead, leaving Milan to find answers in the second half.

Milan started the second half on the front foot, with Felix and Christian Pulisic trying to spark a comeback. However, their task became significantly harder when Strahinja Pavlovic was shown a straight red card in the 67th minute for a reckless foul on Gustav Isaksen.

Despite being a man down, Milan found an equalizer in the 84th minute through substitute Samuel Chukwueze, who nodded home Rafael Leao’s pinpoint cross. The San Siro erupted, sensing an unlikely turnaround.

As Milan pushed for a winner, Lazio took advantage of their numerical superiority. A controversial VAR review in stoppage time saw the visitors awarded a penalty after Isaksen was brought down by Maignan. Pedro stepped up and coolly slotted the ball into the net, securing all three points for Lazio in the 98th minute.

The result has significant implications for both sides in the Serie A standings. Lazio move temporarily into fourth place, keeping their Champions League hopes alive, while Milan remain eighth, facing an uphill battle to secure European qualification.

Here are the player ratings for Milan vs Lazio

Milan Player Ratings

GK – Mike Maignan – 7.5/10

The Milan skipper made some crucial saves, especially denying Dia early on, but couldn’t stop the penalty at the end. A solid performance despite conceding twice.

RB – Alex Jimenez – 6.5/10

The Spaniard was energetic going forward, had a decent effort on goal but lacked composure in finishing. Defensively, struggled against Lazio’s attacks.

CB – Matteo Gabbia – 7/10

Did his best to keep Lazio at bay but was caught out in transition a few times. Substituted late as Milan pushed for an equalizer.

CB – Strahinja Pavlovic – 6.5/10

Made a few crucial interventions but was nearly responsible for an own goal early on. Offered some attacking threat with a late shot on target but was sent off in the second half for a harsh tackle on Isaksen who was off on a counter.

LB – Theo Hernandez – 7.3/10

The Frenchmen dropped a mixed performance. He looked lively going forward but struggled defensively at times. Nearly won a penalty but the referee waved it away.

CM – Youssouf Fofana – 6.5/10

Worked hard but was overrun in midfield. Could not impose himself physically against Lazio’s midfielders.

CM – Yunus Musah – 7/10

Started poorly and was subbed off early. Made a great last-ditch tackle on Dia but struggled to control the midfield.

AM – Tijjani Reijnders – 7.3/10

Had one of Milan’s better chances but shot straight at Provedel. Looked sharp in possession but lacked the final product and struggled to dictate play.

RW – Christian Pulisic – 7/10

Had a quiet game with minimal impact in attack. Struggled to break down Lazio’s defensive structure and got subbed off after Milan’s red card.

LW – Rafael Leao – 8/10

Flashes of brilliance but were well-marked by Lazio. Assisted Reijnders for a shot on target but did not get enough chances himself and lacked consistency. Overall, the most dangerous Milan attacker, provided a brilliant assist for Chukwueze’s equalizer.

ST – Santiago Gimenez – 7/10

Very quiet game overall, had one decent chance in the second half but failed to make a significant impact.

SUB – Joao Félix– 6.8/10

The Portuguese international showed exactly why he was brought on in the first half and showed confidence going forward for the Rossoneri. He took many shots but lacked the composure to convert any of them.

SUB – Kyle Walker – 6.7/10

Replaced Jimenez at right-back and provided defensive stability, though he didn’t contribute much going forward.

SUB – Samuel Chukwueze – 7.2/10

Scored the equalizer with a well-placed header. He proved to be a bright spark off the bench for Milan.

SUB – Malick Thiaw – 6.3/10

Came on for Fofana after the red card, helped stabilize the defense.

SUB – Luka Jovic – NA

Manager – Sergio Conceicao – 6.5/10

The Rossoneri didn’t look their best in the first half, but came all guns blazing in the second. Rafael Leao looked a constant threat on counters. Almost thought they would clinch a point out of this game before losing on the late penalty. Overall, an inconsistent display.

Lazio Player Ratings

GK – Ivan Provedel – 6.5/10

Made a couple of key saves, particularly from Pavlovic and Reijnders. Commanded his area well. Couldn’t do much about Chukwueze’s goal but was solid overall.

RB – Adam Marusic – 7/10

Provided the assist for the goal and was solid defensively. Took a knock and was subbed at halftime.

CB – Samuel Gigot – 6.5/10

The defender was a strong presence at the back and made key clearances and limited Milan’s attacking threats.

CB – Mario Gila– 7.6/10

Defended well, particularly against Leao. Was comfortable in possession and helped Lazio play out from the back and showed great composure.

LB – Nuno Tavares– 7.4/10

A lively presence, constantly pushing forward. Delivered dangerous crosses and forced Maignan into a late save from a free-kick.

DM – Nicolo Rovella – 7.3/10

Battled well in midfield, breaking up Milan’s attacks and distributing the ball efficiently. He also controlled the tempo in midfield and helped Lazio dominate possession.

DM – Matteo Guendouzi – 7.5/10

Worked tirelessly, breaking up play and distributing the ball efficiently, and controlled the midfield with his energy and passing. A key presence in Lazio’s buildup play.

RW – Gustav Isaksen – 7.4/10

The Danish international had multiple attempts on goal but lacked precision. Showed good movement and link-up play and was a constant threat, and won the crucial late penalty for the winning goal.

CAM – Boulaye Dia – 6.5/10

Involved in the goal build-up and caused problems for Milan’s defense. Missed a big chance early in the game and saw his goal disallowed in the second half.

LW – Mattia Zaccagni – 8/10

Scored the opening goal on his 150th appearance for the Biancocelesti and was a consistent attacking threat. Nearly got a second with a late volley towards the end of the first half. Put in a man of the match performance.

ST – Loum Tchaouna – 6.5/10

Not a traditional striker but worked hard pressing Milan’s defenders. Delivered a dangerous cross for Zaccagni’s header.

Sub – Manuel Lazzari– 6.2/10

Replaced Marusic at halftime and provided defensive cover on the right side.

Sub – Matias Vecino– 6/10

Came on to add steel to Lazio’s midfield and received a yellow card for a tactical foul.

Sub – Pedro – 7.4/10

The veteran kept his composure to score the winning penalty. A crucial impact off the bench for Lazio.

Sub – Patric – 6.4/10

Replaced Gigot late to shore up the defense.

Sub – Tijjani Noslin – N/A

Manager – Marco Baroni – 7/10

Marco Baroni’s team started the game well and looked threatening on each and every attack, they struggled in the second half especially after Milan went down to ten men and came all guns blazing. The team eventually won a penalty in the final minute of added time to win the game.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to Mattia Zaccagni for his tremendous attacking play.