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In a game that saw the on-field VAR system checked for the penalty that ultimately gave AC Milan a first-half lead, the same system was conspicuously not employed as Roma had strong claims for a late penalty ignored by referee Marco Guida.
That penalty decision, as Theo Hernandez manhandled Henrikh Mkhitaryan as he prepared to shoot from close range, would have given the Giallorossi the chance to level things up at 2-2.
Instead, Mkhitaryan was booked - seemingly for dissent.
It was a rather uneven performance from Paulo Fonseca's side, who were lucky not to be a goal or two down even before Franck Kessie slotted Milan ahead from 12 yards out.
But Jordan Veretout made it 10 league goals for the season with a brilliant finish shortly into the second half, a measured, curling strike that seemed to give his side renewed courage and conviction.
Ante Rebic may have soon restored the visitors' lead with a brilliant solo move and finish but Roma refused to be cowed, and looked like they would get their own gilt-edged chance to score when Mkhitaryan was floored.
Instead, Milan escaped without sanction - and ultimately escaped with all three points too.
Roma do not have long to dwell on the defeat - they travel to face Fiorentina on Wednesday evening.
ROMA 1-2 AC MILAN
SCORER: Veretout (50'); Kessie (43' p.), Rebic (58')
ROMA (3-4-2-1): Pau Lopez; Mancini, Cristante, Fazio (Peres); Karsdorp, Veretout (Diawara), Villar (El Shaarawy), Spinazzola; Mkhitaryan, Pellegrini; Mayoral (Pedro) ‘
Unused subs: Mirante, Fuzato, Juan Jesus, Kumbulla, Pastore, Carles Perez
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Kessie, Tonali (Meite); Saelemekers (Castillejo), Calhanoglu (Diaz), Rebic (Krunic); Ibrahimovic (Leao)
Unused subs: Tatarusanu, Donnarumma A., Dalot, Romagnoli, Hauge, Kalulu, Gabbia
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