Lazio secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro on Sunday, thanks to a stoppage-time penalty that sealed the win.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Milan had managed to level the score, but their hopes were dashed in the final moments.
The home crowd, already frustrated with the club’s ownership, made their displeasure known throughout the game.
With this result, Milan dropped to ninth place with 41 points, slipping behind AS Roma, who earlier claimed a 2-1 win over Como.
Meanwhile, Lazio climbed into fourth on 50 points, edging one point ahead of Juventus, who face Hellas Verona on Monday.
The match kicked off in a subdued setting, as the Curva Sud ultras left their section empty for the first 15 minutes to protest against club owner Gerry Cardinale, as well as the manager and players, amid a disappointing campaign.
Lazio dominated the early exchanges, with Boulaye Dia breaking through after a pass from Nicolo Rovella. However, Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan reacted swiftly, spreading himself well to block the attempt with his foot.
Milan’s struggles continued when Nuno Tavares delivered a dangerous cutback that nearly resulted in an own goal by Strahinja Pavlovic. Gustav Isaksen also came close with a long-range strike that skimmed just wide of the post.
Lazio’s persistence paid off in the 28th minute when Adam Marusic’s shot was parried by Maignan, only for Mattia Zaccagni to pounce on the rebound for an easy finish at the back post.
Dissatisfied with his team’s performance, Milan boss Sérgio Conceição introduced João Félix in place of Yunus Musah.
However, Lazio remained the more threatening side, with Zaccagni volleying just wide before halftime. The home team left the field to a chorus of jeers.
Milan came out fighting in the second half, pushing forward in search of an equalizer. Felix fired over the bar, while Santiago Gimenez sent a glancing header narrowly off target.
Their hopes of a comeback suffered a major blow in the 67th minute when Pavlovic saw red for a foul on Isaksen during a Lazio counter-attack.
Despite being a man down, Milan found a way back into the game six minutes from time. Samuel Chukwueze rose high to meet a Rafael Leão cross, powering a header past Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel to bring the score level.
It seemed as though Milan had salvaged a point, but in the dying moments, Maignan brought down Isaksen in the box, leading to a penalty. Pedro stepped up and calmly slotted home the decisive goal, sealing a third consecutive league defeat for Milan.
While Conceição had started his Milan tenure with an Italian Super Cup triumph in January, things have taken a downward turn since then. .
Their Champions League exit at the hands of Feyenoord, coupled with their declining league form, has now put their hopes of qualifying for next season’s competition in serious jeopardy.
