AC Milan fortunate to earn point at Cagliari

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:28 am
Giacomo Bonventura scored for AC Milan but Cagliari had the better chances to win the match, which ended 1-1.
Enrico Locci/Getty Images

Cagliari and AC Milan shared the spoils from a 1-1 draw at Stadio Sant'Elia, although Zdenek Zeman's Sardinians will probably feel they could have got more out of the game.

Victor Ibarbo gave the hosts the lead, but Giacomo Bonventura levelled before half-time. Daniele Conti hit the post in the second half as Cagliari came closer to finding a winner.

The point lifts Cagliari three clear of the Serie A relegation zone while edging Milan up to third, still six points adrift of the joint league leaders Juventus and Roma.

Even against high-flying Milan, Cagliari remained faithful to their attacking style of play, causing the Rossoneri problems early on with Adil Rami making a desperate lunge to keep Ibarbo's shot out.

The Colombian was looking particularly inspired and he sent his next shot over the crossbar before scoring at the third attempt midway through the first half.

Marco Sau sent the ball in from the left and Ibarbo beat Christian Abbiati to the ball to head Cagliari in front.

Ibarbo then returned the favour for Sau, but Abbiati denied the Cagliari forward to keep his side in the game.

It was a vital stop, especially considering how Bonaventura brought Milan level within minutes with what could have been a cross, but ended up in the top corner of Alessio Cragno's goal.

Ibarbo went close again early in the second half before Conti only found the outside of the post as Cagliari continued to throw caution to the wind and look for a second.

Diego Farias was denied by Abbiati late on before Nigel de Jong almost snatched the points for Milan deep into stoppage time with a long-range effort which only just missed the target.