ROSSONERI COME FROM BEHIND TO DRAW WITH CREMONESE
Serie A
Our first result in May isn't a positive one. AC Milan were held to a draw at home by Cremonese. Much like Roma last time out, the Rossoneri had to equalise deep into added time. The Rossoneri dominated tonight and probably deserved to win, but VAR and some bad luck meant that the hosts failed to score earlier. Despite the misfortune, though, errors crept into the performance, such as the one leading to the Grigiorossi's opener. Okereke's goal is disheartening but at least Messias alleviated the disappointment. A tough night.
It should've been a vital victory in the race for Champions League football but instead, it's a loss to start the run-in. Although Pioli made a raft of changes, the team fought hard until the end but, as it was against Bologna, Empoli and Salernitana, they came away without maximum points. After matchday 33 in Serie A, the Rossoneri are on 58 points in the table, level with Atalanta and Roma, six behind second-place Lazio. AC Milan host the Biancocelesti at San Siro on Saturday: a vital game.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v CREMONESE
MATCH REPORT
As expected, it was AC Milan that took control of the game, playing the ball around swiftly and advancing forward quickly. The first chance fell to Origi after 4 minutes, but his shot was weak and easily collected. On the 11th minute, the opening goal would have arrived through Saelemaekers, after he got on the end on an inch-perfect ball through by Kalulu, but a VAR check found the Belgian to have started his run from an offside position and ruled out the goal. But it didn’t stop the home side from continuing their energetic dominance: Origi had another chance shooting across goal with his left that was well-saved low down by Carnesecchi. After 21 minutes, a poor backpass by Meïté let in De Ketelaere, who tried to round the keeper but again was well-stopped by the young Italian. The will and desire going forward still didn’t bring any fortune: Saelemaekers’ shot was blocked after 28 minutes and De Ketelaere’s header ten minutes later from a corner went over. Finally, a minute before first-half stoppage time, Origi’s header was off-target from Saelemaekers’ cross. It ended 0-0 at the break.
The Rossoneri started the half off with more tempo and aggression in their forward play: Saelemaekers took aim, but shot over on 52 minutes. A minute later, Cremonese had their first real opening when Afena-Gyan tried from distance, but he failed to hit the target. On the hour mark, Díaz had a great chance from Saelemaekers’ cross, but couldn't get his head over the ball and it flew over the bar from just a few yards out. Immediately at the other end, Valeri repeated the previous move by heading over, too, from close range. Giroud and Leão were then introduced to the action and made an instant impact.The Portuguese set Díaz free, but couldn’t find the back of the net after 64 minutes. Then, the sucker punch arrived after 77' as the Grigiorossi took the lead: Okereke picked up the ball, cut back inside leaving Kalulu and Thiaw behind and slotted home giving Maignan no chance. The final Rossoneri push came: Leão wasted a chance for the equaliser firing wide with his right; then, after 83 minutes, Krunić got ahead of everyone at the near post but headed wide from a corner. It was now last chance saloon, and in the 93rd minute Messias’ free-kick was driven low along the ground, passing everyone’s legs, eventually ending up in the back of the net to the delight of the home crowd to grab the equaliser. Pickel was soon after sent off for violent conduct, before another fine save by Carnesecchi kept out Krunić. At the final whistle, it ended 1-1.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 1-1 CREMONESE
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Thiaw, Ballo-Touré; Bennacer (46' Krunić), Vranckx (75' Tonali); Saelemaekers (75' Messias), De Ketelaere (63 Giroud), Díaz; Origi (63' Leão). Subs: Mirante, Tătăruşanu; Florenzi, Gabbia, Hernández, Kjær; Adli, Bakayoko; Rebić. Coach: Pioli.
CREMONESE (4-2-3-1): Carnesecchi; Sernicola, Chiricheș (72' Ghiglione), Lochoshvili, Vásquez; Meïté, Benassi (56' Okereke); Pickel, Galdames (84' Castagnetti), Buonaiuto (56' Valeri); Afena-Gyan (72' Ferrari). Subs: Saro, Sarr; Aiwu, Bianchetti; Acella; Ciofani. Coach: Ballardini.
Referee: Pairetto from Torino.
Goals: 77' Okereke (C), 93' Messias (M).
Booked: 92' Vásquez (C), 98' Ghiglione (C).
Sent off: 96' Pickel (C).
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