Chukwueze helps Pioli reach Ancelotti heights for Milan after victory over Mourinho’s Roma

The Nigeria international is still looking for his first Serie A start, but he was among the record-making side on Friday night

Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench to help ten-man AC Milan secure a thrilling 1-2 away victory at AS Roma in an Italian Serie A matchday three fixture.

Milan was already two-goal up and a man down before Chukwueze was introduced from the bench for his third league appearance of the season.

Olivier Giroud gave the visitors the lead inside the Stadio Olimpico in Rome from the penalty spot in the ninth minute.

Rafael Leao doubled the advantage for Milan three minutes into the second half with an audacious bicycle kick.

But Milan had Fikayo Tomori sent off on the hour-mark for a second booking before manager Stefano Pioli sent in Chukwueze to replace Christian Pulisic in the 76th minute.

The Super Eagles winger had time to make only six touches, but he did well to complete 80 per cent of his passes.

Substitute Leonardo Spinazzola struck in stoppage time to reduce the deficit for AS Roma and give Jose Mourinho a little to cheer. But there was no denying Milan a much-deserved win – their third on the bounce.

The win not only took Milan to nine points for the campaign but also secured 300 points for Pioli as the club’s coach. The Italian gaffer thus becomes only the second Milan coach ever, after Carlo Ancelotti, to reach 300 points in Serie A while in charge of the Rossoneri.

Milan, with the win, go top of Serie A and could stay there should bitter-rivals Inter Milan and Napoli fail to secure maximum points in their respective matches this weekend.