Roma Milan Draw After Pellegrini Penalty Dents Milan's Title Hopes

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Lorenzo Pellegrini converted a late penalty as Roma held AC Milan to a 1-1 draw at Stadio Olimpico, denying the visitors a chance to trim Inter’s lead in Serie A, with Milan staying five points behind the league leaders after dropping two points.

The equaliser cancelled out Koni De Winter’s opener, which arrived in the second half and was the defender’s first goal in just under a year. Milan then failed to regain control, creating little in the closing stages despite needing a win to close the title gap.

Roma began at high speed, pressing Milan from kick-off and almost scoring inside the first minute when Donyell Malen’s early attempt was gathered by Mike Maignan. Malen kept threatening, forcing another save soon after, then dragging a shot wide from close range after escaping Milan’s defence.

Milan’s goalkeeper stayed busy during the first half, blocking efforts from both Malen and Zeki Celik from narrow angles as Roma kept the pressure on. Milan struggled to progress the ball with control, while Roma’s intensity ensured most of the play stayed in the visitors’ half.

After half-time, Milan improved. Adrien Rabiot drew a strong save when Maignan’s opposite number tipped a rising shot over the bar, and the visitors finally broke through in the 62nd minute when Luka Modric’s curling cross was glanced over the line by De Winter.

Roma answered quickly. Celik’s delivery from the right hit a distracted Davide Bartesaghi on the arm inside the area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Substitute Pellegrini sent the penalty low from 12 yards, with Maignan touching the ball but unable to keep it out.

Milan then searched for a winner but lacked creativity against a disciplined Roma defence. The best chance came at the start of stoppage time when Niclas Fullkrug saw a shot blocked, and Roma comfortably saw out the remaining minutes without allowing any clear openings.

Roma vs AC Milan Serie A data debrief and wider context

Statistics underlined Roma’s dominance, as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side produced 15 shots and 2.75 expected goals, while Milan managed only five attempts worth 0.44 expected goals. Roma had also won their previous three matches without conceding, and this point lifted them into third place.

Milan extended an impressive Serie A run to 21 matches without defeat, with a record of W13 D8, which is the longest current unbeaten sequence in Europe’s top five leagues. However, the draw against Roma meant a missed opportunity to gain ground after Napoli lost to Juventus earlier on Sunday.