Lazio full back Pellegrini calls Milan ‘unsportsmanlike’ after red card

Luca Pellegrini apologised to the Lazio fans and suggested Milan were ‘unsportsmanlike’ during his red card incident in their tense Serie A duel.

The two sides played out one of the most absurd matches of the season so far, with three Biancocelesti players receiving their marching orders across the 90 minutes. Pellegrini was the first, with Adam Marusic and Matteo Guendouzi following him in the closing stages of the match.

Amidst the drama, tensions and questionable officiating, Milan edged out a key 1-0 win over Lazio after a 88th minute strike from Noah Okafor, sparking fury across the stands of the Stadio Olimpico.

Writing on his Instagram page in the hours after the match, Pellegrini reflected on his sending off against Milan, apologising to the Lazio fans.

“I apologise to the team and our fans for the red card. Next time I will kick the ball out of the stadium for sure, considering the blood on my teammate’s face and the fact that he stopped me was not enough for the referee. 

“Unsportsmanlike conduct won. Proud of this group, we can go out with our heads held high. Forza Lazio.”

The defeat leaves Lazio ninth in the Serie A table after 27 games and they’ll have to bounce back quickly as they travel to Bavaria to face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on March 5th.