AS Roma 2-0 AC Milan : Five Talking Points

An amazing solo goal from Miralem Pjanic before half-time and Gervinho's second half goal was enough for the Giallorossi to claim their ninth-straight Serie A victory and inch ever closer to table-topping Juventus.Here are the five talking points from the game.

#1 Too little too late for Milan

A run of five-straight wins meant that AC Milan came into this game in sparkling form. A victory over Roma might have catapulted them to within two points off Inter, who occupy the final European place.

Instead, like much of the season when expectations have been heaped on the club, Milan lost and are now five points behind Inter who have a game in hand. With just three games to go, it is unlikely that AC Milan will finish in a European spot, which is sure to be a big blow for the Rossoneri as they look to build from the ruins of what was once an all-conquering European club.

#2 Pjanic provides the spark from midfield

Throughout this season, much of the praise for Roma’s run has gone to the forwards. Francesco Totti and Gervinho lead the club assists chart whilst Mattia Destro leads the goal scoring chart and have, for the most part earned their praise.

But, the contribution of their midfielders shouldn’t be forgotten and Miralem Pjanic showed just why. After playing a one-two with Totti, he dribbled past three Milan defenders and side-footed his shot past Christian Abbiati at the near post to give Roma the lead and earn himself the Man of the Match.

Whilst it was only sixth goal of the season, his six assists and his partnership with De Rossi has been a solid platform from which the attackers have flourished.

#3 Toli proving to be an able replacement for Benatia

Leandro Castán’s partnership with Mehdi Benatia in the center of defence has proved to be one of the best in the League this season. The duo’s ability to complement each other was one of the many reasons why Roma are in such a great position at the moment.

But when Benatia went out with a muscle tear earlier this month, many predicted that the Giallorossi would find it difficult to keep up the good work. But, on-loan centre back Rafael Tolói is proving to be a more than adequate replacement for the injured Moroccan centre half and he demonstrated that against Milan on Friday night.

Should the Brazilian continue his good form, the loan might well become permanent and Roma might not mind the Moroccan leaving as well.

#4 Milans finishing let them down

In a game between two sides who have combined for 24 goals in their last five games, it was always going to come down to who was going to be more clinical in front of goal. Unfortunately for Milan, a wonder goal by Pjanic and a well worked second by Gervinho proved to be the difference.

Although Milan had mustered more shots on target, much of it, like Montolivo’s effort was from outside the penalty box. Adel Taarabt’s angled drive, minutes after Montolivo’s effort was easily saved by De Sanctis and the goal keeper didn’t have to move an inch as substitute Giampaolo Pazzini volleyed over the bar.

Although Roma dominated possession, had Milan’s attackers put their shooting boots on, it could have been a different game altogether.

#5 And then there was Roma

The Stadio Olimpico proved to be a fitting venue for a clash between two of Serie A’s in-form teams. Milan came into the game with five-straight wins, whilst the home side came into it on the back of eight successive victories. Something had to give in this clash of two behemoths, which was to decide how both clubs ended the season.

In the end, Roma’s disciplined defence and their clinical finishing meant that their slim hopes of claiming the Scudetto was still alive, whilst Milan were left ruing what could have been.