AC Milan had to settle for one point after a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico, the home of AS Roma, in Serie A Week 22 of the 2025/26 season. The match, played in the early hours of Monday, January 26, 2026 (WIB), showcased a tense and competitive encounter between two of Italy’s top sides.
Milan initially took the lead in the second half thanks to a precise header from Koni De Winter, giving the Rossoneri hope of a vital victory on the road. However, their advantage was short-lived when Lorenzo Pellegrini converted a penalty for Roma, leveling the score at 1-1.
The draw allows Milan to maintain second place in the Serie A standings with 47 points from 22 matches, while Roma remains hot on their heels in third with 43 points. Although they missed the opportunity for three points, Milan’s coaching staff, led by Massimiliano Allegri, welcomed the result as a valuable point from one of Italy’s toughest away grounds.
First Half Challenges: Maignan Steals the Spotlight
The first half was a stern test for Milan, as AS Roma applied relentless pressure from the opening whistle. For much of the opening 45 minutes, Milan were pinned back into their own half, struggling to build attacks under Roma’s aggressive pressing game.
The defensive line of the Rossoneri had to work tirelessly to resist multiple threats. Amid the pressure, Mike Maignan, Milan’s French goalkeeper, emerged as a key figure, pulling off crucial saves that kept his team in the game.
Allegri highlighted Maignan’s importance after the match:
“We started the game well in the first seven or eight minutes, playing some good football, although there were situations we could have improved on. Then Roma became more aggressive, winning second balls and creating vertical opportunities. Maignan was outstanding and kept us in the match.”
The goalkeeper’s performance not only prevented early goals but also gave Milan the confidence to adjust and gradually assert themselves in the second half.
Second Half Resurgence: De Winter’s Header
As the second half began, Milan showed greater courage and composure in possession, gradually creating more threatening situations. Their persistence paid off when Koni De Winter rose above the Roma defense to head in a corner-kick goal, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately for Milan, their lead did not last. A handball by Davide Bartesaghi inside the penalty area gave Roma a spot-kick, and Lorenzo Pellegrini confidently converted from the penalty spot in the 74th minute, restoring parity at 1-1.
Despite conceding the equalizer, Milan’s performance in the second half highlighted their technical improvement and resilience, especially on the road against a challenging opponent.
A Point That Matters in the Title Race
The draw also extends Milan’s unbeaten streak in Serie A to 21 matches, including 13 wins and 8 draws. This consistency keeps them firmly in contention at the top of the league and maintains a four-point gap over Roma, ensuring they remain in control of the battle for Champions League qualification.
Allegri expressed satisfaction with the result:
“The second half was different. We improved technically, while Roma’s intensity dropped slightly. Returning from Rome with a 1-1 draw at this stage of the season is very important. Gaining a point here, after our result against Napoli, helps us maintain the distance with Roma and keep our momentum in the title race.”
The Rossoneri now look ahead to the next Serie A fixtures with renewed confidence, knowing they can withstand pressure and compete for the top spots even in challenging away matches.
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