Serie A | Roma 3-1 Milan: Gimenez sees red as Ranieri has hope

Roma keep themselves in the hunt for a top four finish after seeing off 10-man Milan, who were furious over the Santiago Gimenez red card.

The Rossoneri were smarting from Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final defeat to Bologna in this very stadium, also losing Theo Hernandez, Samuel Chukwueze, Kyle Walker and Warren Bondo to injury. Artem Dovbyk, Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini missed out for the hosts, who needed a victory to get back into the race for the top four after their loss to Atalanta.

This was also the final home game for Claudio Ranieri as coach before his retirement and he was moved to tears by the banners from the fans. Milan supporters were banned over crowd trouble in the Coppa Italia Final, but were ready to boycott it anyway.

epa12114821 Romas coach Claudio Ranieri looks on during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan, in Rome, Italy, 18 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANGELO CARCONI

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

It took just under three minutes to break the deadlock, as Matias Soule whipped a corner into the six-yard box for the Gianluca Mancini header into the near top corner.

Alex Jimenez drilled hard and low inches past the near bottom corner from the edge of the area, but Milan went down to 10 men after just 21 minutes.

Santiago Gimenez was caught by VAR elbowing Mancini in the chest during a tussle and it was considered sufficient for violent conduct. The Rossoneri would have reason to feel aggrieved, as a very similar incident did not see Sam Beukema penalised in the Coppa Italia Final against Milan on Wednesday.

ROME, ITALY - MAY 18: Joao Felix of AC Milan scores his team's first goal past Mile Svilar of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on May 18, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) — ROME, ITALY – MAY 18: Joao Felix of AC Milan scores his team’s first goal past Mile Svilar of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on May 18, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Nonetheless, Milan managed to equalise when Alex Jimenez sprung the offside trap and tested Mile Svilar, who could do nothing on Joao Felix firing the rebound into the empty net.

Roma restored their advantage with a direct free kick from Leandro Paredes, who surprised Mike Maignan at the base of the near post.

epa12114984 Romas Leandro Paredes celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan, in Rome, Italy, 18 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANGELO CARCONI

There was also a third late on, as Maignan made a desperate double save on Angelino and the follow-up, but could do nothing on the Bryan Cristante scorcher from outside the area.