ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty-spot during the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on January 25, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
While Milan had taken the lead against the run of play with Koni De Winter, this time Roma did convert the Lorenzo Pellegrini penalty for their first draw of the season.
This was a battle between fourth and second, as Donyell Malen scored on his debut and was cup-tied for Thursday’s 2-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart, so here returned to the starting XI. Mario Hermoso, Devyne Rensch, Artem Dovbyk and Angelino were out of action. The Rossoneri missed Santiago Gimenez, while Strahinja Pavlovic was only fit for the bench, but Alexis Saelemaekers shook off a knock to face his old club.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
Malen had the first shot on target after 16 seconds, but couldn’t generate enough power to surprise Mike Maignan on the through ball. The goalkeeper made a double save on Manu Kone’s effort from the edge of the area and was ready for the Malen follow-up.
It was all Roma early on, as Malen failed to get on the end of a Paulo Dybala first-time pass over the top under pressure from Matteo Gabbia, but turned his chest and volley wide from close range on Evan Ndicka’s assist.
Maignan was ready again with his legs on Malen at the near post from a Matias Soulé lay-off, then Luka Modric threw himself in the way of a Zeki Celik strike from close range before Soulé blasted the rebound over with his weaker foot.
The Milan goalkeeper made a great reaction save in first half stoppages, sticking out his right hand to parry Celik’s finish from point-blank range.
Saelemaekers had been in doubt and was replaced by Zakaria Athekame for the restart, and Mile Svilar made his first save, getting down to fingertip the Adrien Rabiot angled drive past the post after a good Davide Bartesaghi run.
There was bad news for Roma when Manu Kone pulled up clutching the back of his right thigh and was replaced by Niccolò Pisilli.
Moments later, Milan took the lead against the run of play, as a corner was taken short from the left, Modric’s cross found Koni De Winter for a glancing header from six yards.
Luka Modric puts it on a plate for Koni De Winter to head AC Milan into the lead 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/dVFb1AEYlI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 25, 2026
Roma were awarded a penalty when Celik knocked back a Wesley cross at the by-line and it struck Bartesaghi’s outstretched hand. While Maignan saved Dybala’s spot-kick at San Siro earlier this season, he only grazed the Lorenzo Pellegrini effort with his fingertips this time.
Lorenzo Pellegrini fires in an equaliser from 12 yards for Roma 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/nvdzFNaUBx
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 25, 2026
Daniele Ghilardi cut across to block Bartesaghi’s shot after sprinting into the box, while Lorenzo Venturino made his Roma debut. Wesley had more penalty appeals for a cross that hit Christian Pulisic’s hand, but this time the arm was flush to the body.
Niklas Fullkrug also saw his header loop over the bar from Rabiot’s cross.
Roma 1-1 Milan
De Winter 62 (M), Pellegrini pen 74 (R)
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