Ante Rebic eventually bundled across the line at the end of a wild drive, and Hakan Calhanoglu scored a penalty as Milan defeated Roma 2-0 in a Europa League clash.
Pierino Prati, the former Milan and Roma striker who died this week, had a minute’s silence before kick-off.
Roma had a better start. The pull-back should have kept his free header from a Kluivert cross on target by Henrikh Mkhitaryan for Kluivert fingertipped away by Gianluigi Donnarumma, and then Edin Dzeko.
Milan had a chance on 27 minutes, but Giacomo Bonaventura shot off after an inspiring Ante Rebic flick.
The Croatian also put Antonio Mirante under immense pressure on a backpass, but the experienced goalkeeper managed to dribble his way out of trouble. The speed was slow as it was over 30 degrees C in San Siro, but Calhanoglu ‘s free-kick tested Mirante, and Gianluca Mancini did enough to avoid Theo Hernandez from reaching the corner that resulted.
Mirante was almost caught by another poor Spinazzola backpass immediately after the restart but Rebic was unable to keep it under control.
The effort paid off and Milan eventually took the lead, after a messy drive. Davide Zappacosta gave Rebic the ball away, Franck Kessie’s acrobatic volley was parried, then Rebic struck the rebound off the upright and the Croatian finally managed to fire in from six yards. Roma was trying to fight back but was defeated on the field and trapped.
Amadou Diawara helped sprint Theo Hernandez into the box and Chris Smalling clipped his heels before Calhanoglu blasting the penalty into the net roof.
