Serie A: AC Milan 3:1 Lazio - match report
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Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Honda 7 (M), Muntari 56 (M), Menez pen 63 (M), Alex og 66 (L)

Pippo Inzaghi’s first game in charge was a success, as Milan beat Lazio 3-1 and Diego Lopez saved a penalty.

The first game of the season was already a head-to-head for Europe, as both teams missed out on qualification last term. Pippo Inzaghi made his senior management debut on the bench, but Fernando Torres hadn’t completed his move from Chelsea yet and Giampaolo Pazzini had a muscular problem, so Jeremy Menez acted as a ‘False 9.’ Mattia De Sciglio and Philippe Mexes were injured with Riccardo Montolivo out until late October with a broken leg. Lazio also made many changes, missing Federico Marchetti, Eddy Onazi, Abdoulay Konko, Ederson and the banned Bruno Pereirinha.

It took just seven minutes to break the deadlock. Stephan El Shaarawy burst from midfield past Stefan de Vrij and rolled across for the unmarked Keisuke Honda to turn in at the back post.

Cristian Zapata decisively blocked a dangerous Lazio counter-attack and Antonio Candreva’s cross-shot was too close to Diego Lopez. The Colombian was again crucial when intercepting a Dusan Basta give-and-go with Miroslav Klose.

Lazio stepped up the pressure after the break with De Vrij from distance, but it was Milan who doubled their lead with a rare scoring opportunity.

Ignazio Abate whipped in a cross from the right for Sulley Muntari to volley at full stretch from six yards.

Soon after, Jeremy Menez was blocked off in the box by a disappointing De Vrij on his Serie A debut. Ex-PSG and Roma man Menez got back up to take the penalty himself, sending Etrit Berisha the wrong way.

Lazio did get back into the game with a chaotic goal, as Alex slid in to anticipate Filip Djordjevic on an Antonio Candreva cross and may well have got the last touch to surprise Diego Lopez at the near post.

The Aquile gained in confidence and Diego Lopez mistimed his intervention, fortunate to see a Senad Lulic header sail off target.

Stefano Mauri’s volley skimmed the woodwork, then Mbaye Niang came off the bench and immediately fired straight at Berisha.

Lazio were pouring forward and Diego Lopez had to beat away a Candreva volley into the ground at the back post.

Stefano Pioli’s men never gave up and deep into stoppages Candreva was tripped by Abate for a penalty. However, Diego Lopez marked his Serie A debut with a wonderful save, turning Candreva’s spot-kick out of the near bottom corner.

This is the first time in three years that the Rossoneri have been able to win the opening game.

Milan: Diego Lopez; Abate, Zapata, Alex, Bonera; Poli, De Jong, Muntari (Essien 67); Honda (Armero 77), Menez (Niang 82), El Shaarawy

Lazio: Berisha; Basta, De Vrij, Cana, Radu; Parolo, Biglia, Lulic (Mauri 73); Candreva, Klose (Djordjevic 60), Keita (Felipe Anderson 60)

Ref: Tagliavento

Saved penalty: Candreva 94 (L)

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