Serie A combined: Milan beat Roma Juventus draws Napoli

Rome, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The 20th round of the Italian Football League began on the 6th, AC Milan defeated nine-man Roma 3-1 at home, and Ibrahimovic missed a penalty. Juventus drew 1-1 at home to Napoli.

Milan's squad was drastically reduced on the day, with a total of 11 players missing the match against the Red Wolves due to coronavirus positives, injuries and national team matches. However, the Rossoneri came out on top just eight minutes into the game, with Roma player Tammy Abraham sending a handball off the spot as he tried to block Hernandez's shot, and Olivier Giroud hitting the home team. In the 16th minute, Roma player Ibanez made a mistake in returning the pass, Olivier Giroud took advantage of the situation to steal the shot and hit the upright, and then Messias scored the ball in, giving Milan a long lead. Roma, who were two goals behind, counter-attacked quite threateningly, but Milan goalkeeper Mignan played bravely and repeatedly blocked his opponent's shots. In the 40th minute, Roma finally used a corner kick to score a goal from close range by Abraham to pull back a point.

In the 76th minute, Roma player Karlsdorp was sent off for two yellows and one red, and the "Red Wolves" ten people continued to fight. In the 82nd minute, Ibrahimovic, who came on as a substitute, assisted Leo's one-handed victory and basically sealed the victory for the home team. During stoppage time, Roma player Leo was awarded a red card and a penalty in the penalty area, but Ibrahimovic's penalty was saved by goalkeeper Patricio, and Milan won 3-1.

Juve's match against Napoli saw the visitors score in the 22nd minute by Mertens' low shot to take the lead. In the 53rd minute, Chiesa pulled back a point for the home team, and the two teams eventually drew 1-1. Given the fact that Napoli have missed nine players due to the covid-19 pandemic in the team and the national team matches, it is not easy to achieve a draw away from home.

In the other matches, Lazio drew 3-3 at home to Empoli, Milinkovic "doubled"; Cagliari won 2:1 away to Sampdoria; Verona won 2:1 away to Spezia; Sassuolo drew 1:1 with Genoa.

The other four games scheduled for the day: Bologna against Inter Milan, Fiorentina against Udinese, Atalanta against Turin, and Salernitana against Venice were postponed due to the severe outbreak in Bologna, Udinese, Turin and Salernitana. (End)