AC Milan's French defender Theo Hernandez (R) celebrates with AC Milan's Belgian forward Alexis Saelemaekers (C) and AC Milan's French forward Olivier Giroud after scoring his side's second goal during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Lazio on May 6, 2023 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP)
Milan: AC Milan recorded a confidence-boosting 2-0 win over Lazio in Serie A on Saturday but saw key forward Rafael Leão limp off with an injury just four days before its Champions League semifinal match.
An Ismaël Bennacer strike and a stunning Théo Hernandez goal helped Milan move back into the top four in Serie A.
It also closed the gap to second-place Lazio to three points. Milan was one point ahead of Inter Milan, which plays at Roma later in another direct battle for a spot in next season’s Champions League.
The two Milan clubs meet in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday. The return leg is the following Tuesday.
And Milan could be without Leão after the forward limped off in the 11th minute Saturday shortly after pulling up and clutching the top of his right thigh.
Milan nevertheless took the lead six minutes later. Lazio defender Nicolò Casale attempted to pass out from his area to teammate Marcos Antônio but Bennacer stole the ball and played a one-two with Olivier Giroud before firing past Ivan Provedel.
Milan doubled its lead in stunning fashion in the 29th minute as Hernández collected a pass inside his own area from goalkeeper Mike Maignan and raced almost the whole length of the field before unleashing a shot into the top right corner.
Ante Rebić had a goal disallowed for Milan for offside seven minutes from time.
