injury Leão just before CL clash with Inter

Looking ahead to next season’s Champions League, AC Milan did fine business this afternoon by winning 2-0 against Lazio. For Milan’s fans at this point, however, only this year’s edition probably counts.

This Wednesday, in fact, the first leg in the duel with city rival Internazionale is scheduled. At stake is a place in the final of the Champions League. The last time Milan reached that final was in 2007.

And so fans will probably remember mainly that star player Rafael Leão was injured after only 11 minutes out with a thigh injury and not that Milan recorded a handsome win over number two Lazio.

Algerian Ismaël Bennacer took advantage of frivolous Lazio defending after seventeen minutes, and within the half-hour Theo Hernández doubled the margin. The Frenchman received the ball on his own half and, when he was not really tackled, decided to fire just twenty yards from goal. The result was to be welcomed.

In the second half, which was frequently interrupted for injury treatments, Lazio was far below par in attack. The 3-0 was close on a couple of occasions, though: Junior Messias shot just wide and substitute Malick Thiaw headed the ball over goalkeeper Ivan Provedel’s goal.

The win over Lazio is indeed very welcome for Milan after four draws in the last five games. The win sees Milan tip over Inter into fourth place, but the rival is still in action tonight against AS Roma.