AC MILAN PEGGED BACK BY PARMA
Serie A
It finished 2-2 between Parma and AC Milan on matchday 11 in Serie A. An intense affair full of incident unfolded, with the Rossoneri racing into a two-goal lead inside the opening half an hour thanks to Saelemaekers and Leão, before the hosts mounted a comeback through goals from Bernabé and Delprato. A thrilling finale saw chances for both sides - including a strike against the post for Parma and a big opportunity for Saelemaekers - but the scoreline remained unchanged. The result does little to alter the standings for the teams coached by Cuesta and Allegri, although AC Milan have drawn level at the top alongside Napoli, who visit Bologna tomorrow.
A pity, because the team certainly impressed in the opening 35 minutes: the Rossoneri were clinical in front of goal, controlled the game with composure and gave very little away to their opponents. AC Milan's reaction to Parma's equaliser - helped by the substitutes, with Pulisic notably making his return to action after Estupiñan's comeback to the starting line-up - wasn't enough to come away with three points and build on the important win over Roma. It's now time for the final international break of 2025, with those not called up for international duty set to regroup at Milanello on Tuesday afternoon. Attention will turn to the next fixture: the Derby.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM PARMA v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
It was a lively start, with both sides showing great intensity. The Rossoneri threatened in the ninth minute as Valenti made a last-ditch intervention to deny Nkunku from Leão's dangerous low cross. AC Milan opened the scoring three minutes later: Estupiñan and Pavlović initiated a counter-attack, Rafa burst forward, and Nkunku provided the assist for Saelemaekers, who fired a low left-footed strike past Suzuki. Alexis took centre stage again in the 20th minute, with Ndiaye fouling the Belgian in the box. Leão then stepped up and made no mistake from the spot. The Rossoneri's two-goal lead saw the tempo drop slightly, and after a chance apiece - a Delprato header (38') and a right-footed attempt from Nkunku (45') - Parma pulled one back through a fine Bernabé strike in first-half stoppage time.
The hosts were much more aggressive after the break. Estupiñan made a crucial intervention in the six-yard box to deny Pellegrino (51'), while Delprato was unable to beat a vigilant Maignan two minutes later. The Rossoneri responded by switching to a back four and bringing on Loftus-Cheek, but Delprato scored the equaliser soon after with a perfectly timed header (62'). Leão tried to inspire a reaction from the Rossoneri, while Bartesaghi and Pulisic were introduced from the bench. It was Chris who had a big chance in the 76th minute, but he drilled wide with Suzuki beaten. The closing stages were thrilling: Pellegrino hit the post for the hosts and a Hernani free-kick required a superb save from Maignan, while Saelemaekers twice came close to bagging a brace. In the 90th minute, Modrić tested Suzuki from distance, but neither side could score a winner. It ended 2-2.
MATCH DETAILS
PARMA 2-2 AC MILAN
PARMA (3-5-2): Suzuki; Delprato, Ndiaye (46' Troilo), Valenti; Løvik (68' Valeri), Bernabé (80' Hernani), Keita, Sørensen, Britschgi; Cutrone (90'+1 Cremaschi), Pellegrino. Subs: Corvi, Rinaldi; Trabucchi; Benedyczak, Konaté, Plicco, Trigani; Begić, Cardinali, Djurić. Coach: Cuesta.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; De Winter (87' Athekame), Gabbia, Pavlović; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modrić, Ricci (70' Pulisic), Estupiñan (70' Bartesaghi); Leão, Nkunku (60' Loftus-Cheek). Subs: Terracciano, Torriani; Odogu, Tomori; Jashari. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Di Bello from Brindisi.
Goals: 12' Saelemaekers (M), 25' pen. Leão (M), 45'+1 Bernabé (P), 62' Delprato (P).
Booked: 70' Modrić (M), 86' Sørensen (P).
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