Allegri's hopes of having a job for Christmas, were dealt another huge blow by a Candreva inspired Lazio. Goals from Hernanes, Candreva and Klose, proved to be just enough to fend off a spirited second half performance by A.C Milan.

The opening exchanges of this Olimpico thriller, were surprisingly tedious viewing. Milan attempted keep the midfield compact to smother the influence of Hernanes; this meant that an archaic long ball style of play was adopted. Lazio on the otherhand, opted for a more Sudamerican footballing ideology, with the use of neat interplay and clever movement; in the hope that Hernanes would provide a much needed spark. 

On the 25th minute, the insistence to make Hernanes the core of every attack proved decisive. The Brazilian international picked up the ball in the final third, and after a twist, a turn and a stepover, his shot looped over that hapless Amelia due to a wicked deflection off the leg of the even more hapless Bonera.

This goal sparked the game into life.

"You're at your most vunerable after you score" perfectly defined A.C Milan's first clear cut opportunity of the match. Less than a minute after Lazio opened the scoring, El Shaarawy latch onto Nocerino through and when he slid the ball underneath the feet of the on rushing Bizzari, a Milan equalizer looked to be the likely outcome. However as the ball was trickling into the net, Dias powered back slide the ball wide; prompting a passionate celebration from the defender.

Lazio tightened their grip on the three points on the 41st minute with an early contender for goal of the season. Candreva doubled the lead for the home side with a srike straight from the training ground. The Italian international picked up a misplaced Milan pass and after running from left to right, he rifled the ball into the top corner from fully 25 yards, sending the Bianccolesti faithful into rapture.

During the first half, the A.C Milan midfield simply could not contain Lazio's. At times Lazio's midfield's quick passing, movement and desire to win the ball, made the quartet of Ledesma, Candreva, Hernanes and Gonzalez look like a reincarnation of the "Carre Magique".

This midfield dominence culminated on the 49th minute with one of the greatest team goals in recent memory. Some wonderful interplay between the midfield and Lulic, lead to the ball being played cross field to Candreva, who brought the ball to the edge of the area. On sighting Klose at the back post, Candreva placed the ball in the path of Klose who neatly converted on the volley from ten yards.

Klose's goal looked to have sealed all three points for the home side, but the introduction of Emanuelson and Pato heralded a new lease of life for the visitors.

The Rossoneri's adoption of "when you ain't got nothin', you got nothin' to lose" tactics allowed them to pulled a goal back on the hour mark. A low cross from a costless kick on the right hand side of the penalty area, resulted in De Jong directing the ball into the bottom corner with a sliding finish.

De Jong's goal was well deserved as whilst Lazio dropped deeper into their own half, Milan were able to begin to take control of proceedings.

The impossible comeback was made to seem possible on the 79th minute when El Shaarawy pulled another goal back. "Il Pharaoh" cut inside from the left wing and placed the ball into the bottom right corner "alla Del Piero".

After the second goal, an equalizer looked to be on the cards but for all the Rossoneri's late possession, they were unable to carve out another clear effort on goal, and the match finished 3-2, in favour of the home side.

Milan are now left 15 points behind Serie A table toppers whilst Lazio are now just 1 point behind Napoli in 2nd place. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Jack  Gallagher
Member of the VAVEL writing team since June 2012, and became editor-in-chief of the UK edition in June 2013. English and History at QUB.