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At 1:30 a.m. Beijing time on January 7, a match in the 20th round of Serie A began to compete, and AC Milan faced Roma at home. AC Milan have had a good season, with 13 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats in their first 19 league games, ranking second and being favourites to win the title. However, AC Milan has lacked stability in recent games, winning 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss in 3 matches, drawing with Udinese, losing to Napoli and beating Empoli. This time AC Milan played against Roma, coached by Mourinho. In the 11th round, the two sides met, when AC Milan, who was playing away, won 2-1 thanks to goals from Ibrahimovic and Casey. The goal of RETURNING AC Milan was still to win the match, with AC Milan winning 3-1. Mourinho suffered a double kill.
In this game, Pioli discharged a 4231 formation. Menion served as the starting goalkeeper. Florenzi, Kalulu, Gabia and Theo are paired at 4 defenders. Tornelli and Clunic form a double back. The attacking combination of Messias, Díaz, Salmales and Giroud joined forces. Leo, Bakayoko, Ibrahimovic and Conte sit on the bench. Roma are in a 3142 formation, with Tammy Abraham and Zaniolo's twin strikers at the top.
AC Milan, who played at home, was very proactive after the start, and the luck was also quite good, relying on penalty opportunities, Olivier Giroud freed up to take the lead, at this time the game was only seven minutes long. The Roma backline then made another big mistake, although Giroud's shot hit the post, but Messias scored in, giving Milan a two-goal lead. This has not changed Milan's attacking attitude, which continues to create opportunities. However, Milan conceded the ball in the 39th minute and Tammy Abraham rubbed the ball into the goal in front of goal. Milan ended at half-time with a 2-1 lead. Milan had 52% possession in the first half, scoring 2 goals on 3 of 11 shots. Roma scored just five shots on goal and three shots on target in the first half.
Roma, who were behind in the second half, had to step up their attacks. However, Milan played steadily and almost scored another goal, but Díaz's long-range shot was rejected by the crossbar. Roma then played a wave of small climaxes, constantly forming shooting opportunities, but Menion performed very well, constantly making wonderful saves to avoid being equalized. After the 65th minute, roma players' fitness declined, Milan once again took control of the situation, and Díaz shot away. And Karlsdorp was sent off for fouling two yellows and one red, making Roma worse.
Leo then got a one-handed chance, which he seized and scored the ball to dash Roma's hopes of equalising. In stoppage time, Mancini was fouled in the penalty area, and he was also sent off with two yellows and one red. Ibrahimovic penalty spot was saved. The final score was set at 3-1, and AC Milan won to complete the double. The match was a bit of a hit, with a total of 8 yellow cards and 2 red cards. Among them, Rome 6 yellow cards, 2 yellow cards. Losing the game worsened Roma's prospects for a four-place race. Mourinho was in trouble.