AC Milan’s defeat at Lazio hands Inter a Serie A reprieve, while Como’s comeback win over Roma boosts their unlikely Champions League charge.

AC MILAN squandered a golden opportunity to close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan, falling to a 1-0 defeat at Lazio on Sunday.

The result allowed Inter to extend their advantage to eight points despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta a day earlier.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri dismissed premature title talk, urging focus on securing Champions League qualification. “Everyone was talking about the Scudetto after Inter drew but you have to be realistic,” Allegri said.

“We’re doing good things this season and we have to concentrate on our objective which is the Champions League otherwise we risk ruining what we’ve built.”

His side remains seven points clear of fifth-placed Juventus in the race for the top four. Gustav Isaksen’s second-half strike secured all three points for a resurgent Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.

The hosts dominated the first half, with Kenneth Taylor hitting the crossbar, before seeing out a tense finale that saw coach Maurizio Sarri sent off.

Meanwhile, Como produced a stunning comeback to beat 10-man Roma 2-1, strengthening their grip on fourth place. Donyell Malen’s early penalty put Roma ahead, but Tasos Douvikas equalised just before the hour mark.

Diego Carlos, who conceded the first-half spot-kick, redeemed himself by poking home the winner 20 minutes later. The match turned when Roma defender Wesley received a second yellow card for a foul on Assane Diao.

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini was furious with the decision, claiming his player “does nothing”. “It’s not the first time Como find themselves in that situation, they’re looking for them, looking a little bit too hard for them in my opinion,” Gasperini told Sky.

“But that’s what football has become.” The victory leaves Cesc Fabregas’s side one point above Juventus and three ahead of Roma with nine games remaining.

Fabregas praised his team’s mentality but warned against complacency. “I’m pleased with the desire and mentality shown by the team,” said the Como boss.

“We’re a young team and we still have a lot to learn… we can’t let ourselves get big-headed because of this win.” The result marks a remarkable rise for a club that faced multiple bankruptcies before its 2019 takeover by the Djarum tobacco group.

 The Sun Malaysia