AC MILAN HELD TO LATE DRAW BY PARMA

An 87th-minute free-kick from Parma’s Bruno Alves ended the Rossoneri’s hopes of securing all three points at the Tardini on Saturday, as the game finished 1-1. Despite taking the lead through substitute Castillejo in the 69th minute, the Ducali fought back to snatch a point, in what turned out to be a frustrating afternoon for the Rossoneri. The visitors were much improved after the interval, upping their tempo after a subdued first half. In particular, Coach Gattuso’s changes early in the second half ensured that Milan could switch to a three-man defence and subsequently score the game’s opening goal. Bakayoko initially made way for Cutrone while then Castillejo came on for Conti. However, despite the latter’s well-taken opener, D’Aversa’s battling Parma eventually scored a late equaliser through their veteran captain. This result means that Milan are unable to move ahead of their competitors in the league standings, although they’ll already be turning their attention to next Sunday’s trip to the Grande Torino to face Mazzarri’s Granata at 20:30 CEST.

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THE REPORT

Coach Gattuso made three changes to his team for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, with Donnarumma, Conti and Zapata all starting. The Rossoneri enjoyed a positive start to the game in terms of possession, yet were unable to truly threaten Sepe. The first killer chance fell to the hosts in the 18th minute, with Kucka firing an overhead kick just wide of Gigio’s post. Milan then responded in the 27th minute, although Borini’s header missed the target. 10 minutes later the ball fell to Gervinho after a save from Donnarumma, who also couldn’t keep his effort on goal. Following the interval, Kessie tried to make an instant impact but his left-footed strike wasn’t sufficient. With Milan still on the front foot, Cutrone then three minutes later couldn’t make contact at the back post from a Suso corner. However, this Rossoneri pressure soon led to the game’s opener in the 69th minute, as Castillejo angled the ball past Sepe following a cross from Suso. Parma subsequently responded strongly with Siligardi first hitting the post from close-range before Bruno Alves scored late to make it 1-1.

MATCH SUMMARY

PARMA 1-1 AC MILAN

PARMA (3-5-2): Sepe; Iacoponi, Alves, Gagliolo, Dimarco (72' Siligardi); Kucka, Scozzarella (91' Stulac), Barillà; Gazzola, Ceravolo (76' Sprocati), Gervinho. Subs.: Brazao, Frattali, Bastoni, Gobbi, Dezi, Diakhate, Machin, Rigoni, Schiappacasse. Coach: D'Aversa.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Donnarumma G.; Conti (66' Castillejo), Zapata, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Kessie, Bakayoko (58' Cutrone), Calhanoglu (75' Biglia); Suso, Piatek, Borini. Subs.: Donnarumma A., Reina, Calabria, Caldara, Abate, Laxalt, Musacchio, Bertolacci, Paquetá. Coach: Gattuso.

Referee: Valeri from Rome.
Goals: 70' Castillejo (M), 87' Alves (P).
Booked: 82' Biglia (M).

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