Serie A round-up: Radja Nainggolan strike hands Roma victory over AC Milan
Monday 12 December 2016 23:15, UK
Radja Nainggolan punished AC Milan for missing a first-half penalty by firing Roma to a 1-0 Serie A victory at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Rossoneri had an opportunity to go in front when Gianluca Lapadula was fouled in the hosts' box, but M'Baye Niang could not find the back of the net from 12 yards.
With both Scudetto-chasing sides failing to take control of this battle for second place, the inspirational Nainggolan stepped up to the plate with a winning goal from distance.
Roma are now four points behind league leaders Juventus, who they visit on Saturday evening.
Inside two minutes Nainggolan - a goalscorer in last week's Rome derby - surged forward to set up Edin Dzeko for a powerful low drive that sent Gianluigi Donnarumma sprawling.
Live Nissan Super Sunday
Milan bit back in the 17th minute, when a swift counter-attack ended with Suso laying on a soft pass for Lapadula, who was only denied because the quick-thinking Wojciech Szczesny went low.
Lapadula was back before the half-hour mark, again released by Suso, and this time he got the better of Szczesny as the Polish goalkeeper conceded a penalty with his late challenge.
Niang, however, could not put the spot-kick away. It was the Frenchman's fourth missed penalty in seven attempts.
There was little to inspire following the restart, at least until the 62nd minute, when Nainggolan fired Roma ahead with a goal out of nothing.
Charging towards the penalty box, the Belgian curled the ball left-footed beyond the 17-year-old Donnarumma.
Live Monday Night Football
Earlier, two classy goals from Nikola Kalinic helped Fiorentina beat Sassuolo 2-1 and reach seventh.
The former Blackburn striker hooked Josip Ilicic's lofted pass beyond Andrea Consigli before directing a deft back-heel from Federico Chiesa's cross past the Sassuolo goalkeeper.
Francesco Acerbi would slash the deficit with a scruffy finish following a corner, but the Neroverdi could not avoid suffering a fifth defeat in seven.
Watch Gillette Soccer Special on SkySports.com for free, or tune in on Sky Sports 2 or SSNHQ from 7.30pm on both Tuesday and Wednesday
