GOALLESS DRAW AWAY TO CREMONESE
Serie A
AC Milan were held to a 0-0 draw in Cremona on Serie A matchday 14. The Rossoneri failed to break down a resolute Cremonese side and, as a result, recorded their third draw of the current campaign in the league. AC Milan dominated possession at the Stadio Zini and afforded their opponents very few chances but the Rossoneri struggled to unlock a compact Cremonese defence. After a lively first half, the Grigiorossi held firm firm against a weary-looking AC Milan side, who did hit the back of the net through Origi but the goal was disallowed for offside against the Belgian.
Pioli shuffled the pack, going with a 3-4-1-2 to start the game, with Malick Thiaw making his first start for the Club and playing for an hour. Tonali - who played with impetus and energy - played his 100th competitive game for AC Milan in all competitions, while young Marko Lazetić came on late on for his first appearance in the Italian top flight. Tomorrow, focus will shift to Sunday's game against Fiorentina at San Siro as the Rossoneri look to go into the long break for the World Cup on a high.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM CREMONESE v AC MILAN
THE MATCH
It was sluggish start for both sides, but the story of the game was clear from the off: AC Milan in control of possession looking to build attacks with Cremonese defending deep and staying compact. The first chance of the game fell to Díaz seven minutes in, but his right-footed attempt was blocked by Carnesecchi; then, Origi tried his luck with his left after 13 minutes, but again was unsuccessful. In the 26th minute, the best chance of the half arrived: Rebić beautifully slid Origi through, who aimed for goal with his right, but it was kept out once again by the feet of the Grigiorossi goalkeeper. The Rossoneri upped their rhythm from thereon in and looked more dangerous: after 33 minutes, Vásquez just got ahead of Origi at the last second, and then Thiaw came close to opening the scoring with a powerful header that was well saved by Carnesecchi. It was that man again three minutes later who punched away Messias’ venomous shot, but the scoreline remained 0-0 going into the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern with AC Milan trying to turn the tide in their favour, and the chance came eleven minutes after the restart: Rebić’s cross picked out Origi, who controlled and fired into the back of the net, but it was chalked off as the number 27 was in an offside position. The Rossoneri continued their domination of the game but struggled to find the time and space to unlock a well-organised home defence. After 68 minutes, AC Milan came dangerously close to taking the lead through Leão, whose cross just missed Messias but looked to be heading in at the far post, only for Carnesecchi to tip it round for a corner. The visitors put on fresh legs for one final push but Cremonese defended their box in numbers, happy to settle for a precious point. Two minutes before the end, Kalulu tried to break the deadlock, but his attempt flew over the bar. Stoppage-time failed to bring any chances of note and the game ended goalless.
MATCH DETAILS
CREMONESE 0-0 AC MILAN
CREMONESE (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Aiwu, Bianchetti, Vásquez; Ghiglione (62' Sernicola), Meïté, Escalante, Castagnetti (70' Pickel), Valeri (88' Quagliata); Afena-Gyan (62' Buonaiuto), Ciofani (62' Okereke). Subs: Saro, Sarr; Hendry, Lochoshvili, Ndiaye; Acella, Báez, Milanese; Tsadjout, Zanimacchia. Coach: Alvini.
AC MILAN (3-4-1-2): Tătărușanu; Thiaw (60' Kalulu), Kjær, Tomori; Messias, Bennacer, Tonali (82' Krunić), Ballo-Touré; Díaz (74' De Ketelaere); Origi (60' Leão), Rebić (82' Lazetić). Subs: Jungdal, Mirante; Gabbia; Adli, Bakayoko, Pobega, Vranckx. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Rapuano from Rimini.
Booked: 47' Ghiglione (C), 67' Vásquez (C), 78' Leão (M), 85' Valeri (C), 87' Meïté (C), 87' Lazetić (M), 93' De Ketelaere (M).
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