February 6, 2025
A Night of High Drama at San SiroIn a fiery Coppa Italia quarter-final clash, AC Milan emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over AS Roma at a packed San Siro. The match, played on February 5, 2025, saw former players shine, tactical gambits unfold, and a resurgent Milan side solidify their credentials as serious contenders in multiple competitions.
Match Highlights:
Goals, Drama, and Turning PointsEarly Tension and Ex-Player RedemptionThe game ignited quickly, with Milan’s Curva Sud and Roma’s traveling supporters creating an electric atmosphere. The first major moment came in the 15th minute when Tammy Abraham, on loan from Roma, silenced his parent club with a clinical finish after latching onto a loose ball in the box.
His celebration was muted, but the message was clear: Milan’s winter signings are paying dividends.
Milan’s Fluidity vs. Roma’s StrugglesMilan dominated possession, exploiting Roma’s makeshift defense (missing the injured Gianluca Mancini) with swift transitions.
Christian Pulisic terrorized the right flank, while Theo Hernández’s overlapping runs kept Roma pinned back211. Roma, meanwhile, struggled to test Mike Maignan until Artem Dovbyk capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 52nd minute, heading home from close range to halve the deficit.
Substitutions Seal the DealManager Sérgio Conceição’s changes proved decisive. Santiago Giménez and João Félix entered in the second half, injecting fresh energy. Félix sealed the win in the 71st minute with a composed finish after a counterattack orchestrated by Rafael Leão, who had replaced a fatigued Pulisic.
VAR Drama
Roma briefly thought they’d clawed back another goal when Tijjani Reijnders deflected the ball into his own net in the 75th minute, but VAR ruled it out for offside—a pivotal moment that deflated Roma’s late surge5.
Key Tactical Battles
Tammy Abraham vs. Mats Hummels: Abraham’s double showcased his poacher’s instinct against the aging Hummels, who struggled with Milan’s pace.
Theo Hernández vs. Alexis Saelemaekers: Hernández’s defensive discipline neutralized Saelemaekers’ relentless runs, a duel that swung momentum Milan’s way.
Youssouf Fofana’s Midfield Mastery: Fofana’s ability to disrupt Paulo Dybala’s creativity (despite Dybala’s late free-kick threat) was crucial to Milan’s control.
Post-Match TakeawaysRoma’s Defensive Woes: Without Mancini, Roma’s backline looked disorganized. New signing Mats Hummels, at 36, lacked the agility to cope with Milan’s dynamic attack.
Milan’s Winter Reinforcements: January additions like Giménez and Félix have transformed Milan into a deeper, more versatile squad. Their impact suggests a strong finish in Serie A and a potential Champions League run.
Historical Context:
This victory extends Milan’s dominance over Roma in Coppa Italia quarter-finals, a stage where the Giallorossi have now lost six consecutive matches.
What’s Next?
Milan advance to the semi-finals, where they could face rivals Inter in a derby for the ages. For Roma, questions linger about Claudio Ranieri’s ability to revive their cup fortunes. One thing is certain: Milan’s blend of youth and tactical ingenuity makes them a team to watch.
Final Score: AC Milan 3 (Abraham 16’, 42’; Félix 71’) – AS Roma 1 (Dovbyk 54’)