Serie A | Roma 3-1 Milan: Gimenez sees red as Ranieri has hope
Roma vs Milan
On a poignant Sunday evening at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma delivered a commanding 3-1 victory over a 10-man AC Milan side, a result that kept their hopes of securing a top-four finish in Serie A alive and sent their retiring manager, Claudio Ranieri, off with a memorable farewell in his final home game. The atmosphere was charged with emotion, not only due to Ranieri’s impending retirement but also because of the high stakes in the race for Champions League qualification. Roma, coming off a disappointing loss to Atalanta, were without key players like Artem Dovbyk, Paulo Dybala, and Lorenzo Pellegrini, yet they rose to the occasion with a performance that blended grit, tactical discipline, and moments of individual brilliance. For Milan, the defeat compounded a difficult week, following their Coppa Italia Final loss to Bologna at the same venue, with injuries to Theo Hernandez, Samuel Chukwueze, Kyle Walker, and Warren Bondo further depleting their squad. The match was not without controversy, as Milan’s frustrations boiled over following a contentious red card to Santiago Giménez, a decision that shaped the game’s narrative and left the Rossoneri feeling hard done by. As the Stadio Olimpico reverberated with tributes to Ranieri and the roar of the Roma faithful, the victory underscored the team’s resilience and their determination to honor their departing coach with a performance to remember.
The match began with Roma seizing the initiative almost immediately, capitalizing on their set-piece prowess to break the deadlock in under three minutes. Matías Soulé, the young Argentine winger whose flair has been a bright spot for Roma this season, whipped a pinpoint corner into the six-yard box, where Gianluca Mancini rose above the Milan defense to power a header into the near top corner. The goal, Mancini’s second of the campaign, was a testament to Roma’s aerial dominance and their ability to exploit Milan’s makeshift backline, which was missing several regulars due to injury. The early strike ignited the crowd, who were already in an emotional state, their banners and chants honoring Ranieri bringing tears to the veteran coach’s eyes as he stood on the touchline. Milan, meanwhile, were without their traveling supporters, who had been banned due to crowd trouble during the Coppa Italia Final and had planned to boycott the match regardless. The absence of their fans, coupled with their depleted squad, created a challenging environment for the Rossoneri, who struggled to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges. Despite the setback, Milan showed flashes of quality, with Alex Jiménez drilling a low shot inches past the near post from the edge of the area, a warning that they remained dangerous despite their disadvantages.
The game’s complexion changed dramatically in the 21st minute when Milan were reduced to 10 men following a controversial incident involving Santiago Giménez. The Mexican striker, caught tussling with Mancini in the box, was adjudged by VAR to have elbowed the Roma defender in the chest. The referee deemed the contact sufficient for violent conduct and issued a straight red card, leaving Milan to play the remaining 70 minutes a man down. The decision sparked outrage among the Milan players and coaching staff, who pointed to a similar incident in the Coppa Italia Final where Bologna’s Sam Beukema escaped punishment for a comparable challenge. The sense of injustice was palpable, and the Rossoneri’s grievances were compounded by the fact that the red card disrupted their game plan, forcing them to adopt a more defensive posture against a Roma side growing in confidence. For Roma, the numerical advantage was a golden opportunity to press their case, and they began to dominate possession, their midfield, led by the combative Leandro Paredes, dictating the tempo and probing for openings. However, Milan’s resolve remained intact, their players rallying in the face of adversity to keep the scoreline close. The Stadio Olimpico, while predominantly a sea of yellow and red, buzzed with tension as both sides grappled for control, Roma seeking to capitalize on their extra man and Milan clinging to hopes of a counter-attacking lifeline.
Milan’s resilience paid dividends just before the half-hour mark when they stunned Roma with an equalizer. Alex Jiménez, the young Spanish full-back who has emerged as a bright prospect for the Rossoneri, sprung the offside trap with a well-timed run, latching onto a through ball and forcing a sharp save from Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar. The rebound fell kindly to João Félix, the Portuguese forward on loan from Atlético Madrid, who made no mistake, firing into the empty net to level the score at 1-1. The goal was a moment of clinical precision, showcasing Milan’s ability to strike on the break even with 10 men, and it silenced the Olimpico momentarily, reminding Roma of the dangers of complacency. Félix’s strike, his fifth in Serie A this season, highlighted his growing influence in Milan’s attack, his composure under pressure a vital asset for a team navigating a turbulent week. For Roma, the goal was a wake-up call, exposing a lapse in concentration that allowed Milan to exploit a rare opportunity. Ranieri, pacing the touchline, urged his players to regroup, knowing that a failure to capitalize on their numerical advantage could prove costly in their pursuit of a top-four finish. As the first half drew to a close, the scoreline remained level, setting the stage for a second half that promised further drama and intensity.
The second half saw Roma reassert their dominance, their attacking intent sharpened by the need to secure three points and keep pace in the race for Champions League qualification. The breakthrough came midway through the half, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Leandro Paredes. Awarded a direct free kick just outside the box, Paredes stepped up and struck a low, curling shot that caught Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan off guard, sneaking inside the near post to restore Roma’s lead at 2-1. The goal was a masterclass in set-piece execution, with Paredes’s precision and power outfoxing Maignan, who had anticipated a shot to the far post. The Olimpico erupted, the roar of the crowd reflecting the significance of the moment as Roma regained the upper hand. Paredes, a polarizing figure at times due to his fiery temperament, proved his worth with a strike that shifted the game’s momentum decisively in Roma’s favor. The goal also underscored the importance of Roma’s set-piece strategy, which has been a consistent weapon under Ranieri’s guidance, with players like Mancini and Paredes thriving in dead-ball situations. Milan, now trailing and a man down, faced an uphill battle, their energy sapped by the demands of defending against Roma’s relentless pressure.
As the game entered its final stages, Roma pushed for a third goal to put the result beyond doubt, their attacking substitutions injecting fresh legs and creativity. The decisive moment arrived late in the match, when Bryan Cristante sealed the victory with a stunning strike from distance. The sequence began with Maignan producing a desperate double save, first denying Angeliño’s low drive and then parrying the follow-up attempt. However, the ball fell to Cristante, who was lurking just outside the box, and the Italian midfielder unleashed a scorching shot that rocketed past Maignan and into the net. The goal, Cristante’s second of the season, was a fitting climax to Roma’s dominant performance, its ferocity and precision encapsulating the team’s determination to honor Ranieri’s farewell with a statement victory. The Olimpico erupted once more, the fans chanting Ranieri’s name as the veteran coach acknowledged their support with a wave, his emotions raw after a career defined by moments like these. For Milan, the third goal was a final blow, their 10 men unable to muster a response as the clock ticked down.
The final whistle confirmed Roma’s 3-1 triumph, a result that kept them firmly in contention for a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League. The victory was a fitting tribute to Ranieri, whose tactical acumen and emotional connection with the club have left an indelible mark. For Milan, the defeat was a bitter pill, their frustrations over Giménez’s red card compounded by their inability to overcome the numerical disadvantage. As the Stadio Olimpico emptied, the Roma players lingered to salute their fans, their performance a testament to their resilience and their commitment to sending Ranieri off in style. With one game remaining in the season, Roma’s focus now shifts to securing the points needed to clinch a Champions League berth, while Milan must regroup and address their injury crisis ahead of a crucial final match. The night belonged to Roma, to Ranieri, and to the fans who celebrated a victory that was as emotional as it was essential, a moment of triumph in a season of high stakes and higher ambitions.
