AC MILAN HELD TO A DRAW BY SAMPDORIA

The return of league action following the international break wasn't totally positive for AC Milan who drew 1-1 with Sampdoria at San Siro. The result came about thanks to a late Hauge equaliser. Quagliarella opened the scoring earlier for the visitors following a mistake from our defence in playing out from the back. It was predicted to be a difficult and tough match beforehand and it proved so. Claudio Ranieri's side closed down well to make it difficult for our forward players to attack with any fluidity, especially in the opening 30 minutes. In the second half, Samp continued to make things difficult despite having Silva sent off. The final assault on goal eventually led to Hauge's equaliser who came on for Castillejo and Kessie struck the post in the 93rd minute. The draw takes Milan up to 60 points in the table and attention now turns to the next match at 18:00 CEST on Saturday in Parma. 

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN V SAMPDORIA

MATCH REPORT

The opening exchanges were tough for the Rossoneri as Sampdoria imposed themselves physically from the off. The first chance fell for the visitors with Gigio turning Gabbiadini's left-foot effort behind for a corner in the sixth minute. Samp looked dangerous again between the 23rd and 25th minutes with Theo doing well to close down Damsgaard while Gigio was called into action for the second chance as he dived to keep out a Thorsby header. Milan finally found some rhythm and attacking momentum at the end of the half but free kicks from Ibra and Çalha couldn't beat the wall while the Sampdoria defenders were able to keep Saelemaekers and Theo under wraps out wide. 

Pioli made changes at the break with Kalulu taking the place of Saelemaekers. The story of the game changed with the Rossoneri taking control only to be punished by Quagliarella in the 57th minute. Theo played a loose pass which the Sampdoria no.27 pounced on before chipping in with a first-time finish. Almost immediately after, Samp were reduced to ten men as Silva picked up a second yellow card. Despite playing a man down, Ranieri's side defended very well and didn't give much up. Hauge and Rebić combined for a chance in the 83rd minute with the Norwegian sliding the ball through for Ante who poked it beyond Audero but Colley cleared off the line. The equaliser came in the 87th minute with Hauge receiving the ball from Kessie before feinting to get away from Candreva and cut back to place his right-foot effort into the corner. The Rossoneri went all-out in search of a winner with Ibra finding Kessie whose shot deflected off Bereszyński onto the post. That proved it be the final chance and the final whistle went with the score 1-1. 

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-1 SAMPDORIA

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Saelemaekers (46' Kalulu), Kjær, Tomori, Hernández; Kessie, Bennacer (60' Tonali); Castillejo (74' Hauge), Çalhanoğlu, Krunić (60' Rebić); Ibrahimović. Subs.: A. Donnarumma, Tătărușanu; Dalot, Gabbia; Meïte. Coach: Pioli.
SAMPDORIA (4-4-2): Audero; Bereszyński, Tonelli, Colley, Augello (90' Yoshida); Candreva (90' Léris), Thorsby, Silva, Damsgaard (90' Verre); Quagliarella (84' Balde), Gabbiadini (62' Askildsen). Subs.: Letica, Ravaglia; Ferrari, Regini; Jankto; Balde, La Gumina, Ramírez. Coach: Ranieri.

Referee: Piccinini from Forlì.
Goals: 57' Quagliarella (S), 87' Hauge (M).
Booked: 32' Colley (S), 39' Thorsby (S), 45' Saelemaekers (M), 46' Silva (S), 50' Bennacer (M), 73' Candreva (S).
Sent-off: 59' Silva (S).

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