Samuel Chukwueze’s goal was not enough to salvage a point for 10-man AC Milan as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Lazio in Sunday’s Serie A clash at the San Siro.
Milan, already struggling after consecutive defeats to Torino and Bologna, were desperate for a turnaround.
However, their hopes of bouncing back took a hit as they fell behind in the first half and later found themselves down to 10 men in the second.
Despite Chukwueze’s late equalizer, a stoppage-time penalty condemned them to their third straight league loss.
Super Eagles winger Chukwueze started the game on the bench, while his compatriot Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed out for Lazio due to injury.
The visitors took control early on and broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Mattia Zaccagni found space inside the box and drilled a low shot past Mike Maignan, putting Lazio in front at halftime.
Milan’s situation worsened in the second half when Strahinja Pavlović was sent off for a last-man foul, forcing the visitors to play with a numerical disadvantage.
In response, Sérgio Conceição introduced Chukwueze in place of Christian Pulisic, and the Nigerian winger made an immediate impact.
Despite being a man down, Milan managed to pull level in the 88th minute.
Rafael Leão delivered a well-placed cross into the box, and Chukwueze, left unmarked by Nuno Tavares, guided a powerful header off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
Chukwueze scores with a header against Lazio. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Just when it seemed Milan had rescued a point, Lazio won a penalty deep into stoppage time after Gustav Isaksen collided with Maignan.
A VAR review confirmed the decision, and Pedro calmly converted from the spot to secure a dramatic late victory.
The result leaves Milan in ninth place, six points off the European spots, as their struggles in Serie A continue.
With just a handful of games left in the season, Sérgio Conceição’s men must find a way to turn their form around if they hope to secure European football for next season.
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