Junior Messias scored a last-gasp equaliser as Milan had been held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Cremonese at San Siro on Wednesday.
A win would have stored the Rossoneri degree on factors with rivals Inter in the race for Champions League qualification, however they fell behind in the 77th minute when substitute David Okereke shrugged off two defenders earlier than coolly ending.
Milan would escape with a draw, nonetheless, as Messias’ free-kick discovered the web through a deflection in the third minute of stoppage time, whereas Charles Pickel was despatched off in the dying seconds for an off-the-ball incident involving Sandro Tonali.
Stefano Pioli’s males have now gained simply two of their final 9 Serie A outings at an important juncture of the season, leaving them with an uphill battle on their palms if they’re to end in the highest 4.
Draw at San Siro. #MilanCremonese #SempreMilan @Acqua_Lete pic.twitter.com/aXH3AAd6Ph
— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 3, 2023
Milan thought they had been forward after simply 11 minutes, Alexis Saelemaekers racing onto Pierre Kalulu’s throughball earlier than cooly ending, just for a VAR assessment to rule the Belgium worldwide offside.
Cremonese made it to the break degree regardless of Divock Origi going shut with a low drive because the hosts dominated the primary half, and so they continued to frustrate Pioli’s males after the break.
The guests even went forward when Okereke confirmed nice energy to get away from Malick Thiaw and Kalulu earlier than firing into the bottom-left nook.
They wouldn’t win the sport, although, as Messias’ low free-kick went in through a deflection to cruelly snatch two much-needed factors away from the Lombardy facet.
Both groups had huge probabilities in the dying seconds however neither may take them, whereas Pickel noticed crimson for punching Tonali and can possible obtain a prolonged ban.
What does it imply? Milan lose floor in Champions League race
With Lazio, Juventus, Inter and Atalanta all successful their video games on Wednesday, Milan required three factors to sustain with their fellow European contenders.
They had been fortunate to come away with one in the tip, although, as they scored simply as soon as in opposition to one of many league’s worst defences, hitting the goal with simply 5 of their 18 photographs and needing an injury-time leveller to keep away from defeat.
Saelemaekers stuffed with confidence
Having scored a 97th-minute equaliser off the bench away at Roma on Saturday, Saelemaekers was chosen to begin in opposition to Cremonese, and he delivered with one other sturdy efficiency.
He noticed a objective disallowed as he proved a helpful attacking outlet, with no different Milan participant recording extra photographs (three), key passes (4) and crosses (eight).
Origi fires a clean
Olivier Giroud started the sport on the bench as Origi was handed a uncommon begin, however he struggled up high for Milan as each he and the workforce put in a below-par show.
The former Liverpool man failed to rating along with his three photographs, lacking his solely huge probability and failing to create a chance as he managed simply 4 touches in the Cremonese field.
Key Opta information
– Among the groups in the highest 5 European leagues, Milan are one among three (together with Nantes and Salernitana) to have drawn probably the most matches in all competitions in 2023.
– Messias’ strike was Milan’s first objective from a direct free-kick in Serie A since December 2021 (Alessandro Florenzi v Empoli).
– Pioli has reached 450 video games as a coach in Serie A. He is the seventh coach to attain this milestone in the three-points-per-win period, after Luciano Spalletti, Francesco Guidolin, Gian Piero Gasperini, Walter Mazzarri, Carlo Ancelotti and Massimiliano Allegri.
– Messias now has 5 targets in 21 appearances in Serie A this season, equalling his tally for final marketing campaign (5 in 26).
– Okereke is the second Cremonese participant to rating away in opposition to each Inter and Milan in Serie A in the identical season after Gustavo Dezotti (who did so in 1989-90 marketing campaign).
What’s subsequent?
Both groups are in Serie A motion once more on Saturday, with Milan internet hosting Lazio whereas Cremonese welcome Spezia.
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