The AC Milan triumphed over AS Roma 3-1 in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia on February 5, 2025, at the iconic San Siro. This match not only secured Milan's place in the semifinals but also marked the debut of Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez, who made his presence felt with an assist.
Milan started strong, with English forward Tammy Abraham leading the charge by scoring both of the team's initial goals in the first 42 minutes. The first goal came at the 16-minute mark when Abraham capitalized on a rebound from Theo Hernández's assist, placing the ball securely past Roma's goalkeeper Mile Svilar. With momentum on their side, Milan maintained pressure, leading to Abraham's second goal just before halftime, extending the lead to 2-0.
The second half witnessed a fighting response from Roma. At the 54th minute, Artem Dovbyk managed to score, reducing the deficit to 2-1 (this goal, previously thought potential, was negated due to offside). But instead of capitulating, Roma intensified their efforts, culminating when Dovbyk finally found the net, capitalizing on the defensive breakdowns of the Milanese.
Despite their effort, it was Milan who struck again. Santiago Gimenez, coming off the bench to replace the already impactful Abraham, soon played his part by providing the assist for Joao Felix's goal at the 72-minute mark. Felix skillfully converted Gimenez's pass with a perfectly executed lob over Svilar, restoring the two-goal cushion for Milan and ending the contest with the score at 3-1.
Throughout the match, Milan showcased not just their attacking prowess but also their defensive discipline, particularly demonstrated by goalkeeper Mike Maignan's performance, who was pivotal during key moments.
The match won praise across the board, especially for the satisfactory outing of both new signings. Santiago Gimenez's entry also sparked significant excitement among fans, who had eagerly anticipated his debut after transferring from Feyenoord. He showed promise and underscored his potential to integrate seamlessly with Milan's attacking strategy.
After the match, Milan's head coach Sérgio Conceição expressed satisfaction, particularly with the contributions of his new signings. He remarked, "Every match is important for our ambitions, and today we not only earned the victory but tested our depth with new talent. Santiago's involvement was encouraging, and we’re excited for his future with the club."
Meanwhile, the Roman squad, under Claudio Ranieri's guidance, faced criticism for their inability to capitalize on several promising opportunities. Despite periods of sustained pressure, particularly when they narrowed the scoreline, they struggled defensively against Milan's counter-attacks.
Abraham carried the spotlight with his two goals and was recognized as the man of the match, but the headline acts of the evening belonged to the debutants, particularly Gimenez, who not only entered the game to tremendous anticipation but delivered results quickly.
Fans were jubilant, celebrating the strong performance of the home team and particularly praising the forwards, who executed their roles convincingly, demonstrating the impact of the winter transfer window on Milan's campaign.
With this victory, AC Milan looks poised as they advance to the semifinals of the Coppa Italia, eyeing their first title since 2003. The team’s renewed vigor and the integration of new players could potentially reshape their season, propelling them higher within Serie A and beyond.
On the other hand, AS Roma will need to regroup quickly and address their defensive frailties as they navigate the second half of the season, remaining contenders for both Serie A and Europa League positions.