Milan salvage late draw vs. SPAL as Ibrahimovic returns

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:15 am

AC Milan were rescued by an extraordinary own goal from Francesco Vicari as they fought back to draw 2-2 at lowly 10-man SPAL on Wednesday after 38-year-old Sergio Floccari had scored one of the goals of the season for the hosts.

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SPAL, who played the second half with a man less, were on the brink of an unlikely win until Alexis Saelemaekers sent a harmless ball into the area and Vicari, under no pressure, stuck out a leg and diverted it into his own goal.

It was heart-breaking for SPAL after they defied Milan with a courageous rearguard action for the whole second half.

The hosts had stunned Milan by taking a 2-0 lead in half an hour with Floccari getting on the scoresheet with an audacious volley over Gianluigi Donnarumma from 35 metres.

Milan, who had won their first three games since the coronavirus stoppage, stayed seventh with 43 points and SPAL one off the bottom on 19.

SPAL went ahead in the 13th minute thanks to shambolic Milan defending. A corner was launched into the goalmouth and it bounced off three Milan players before falling to Mattia Valoti who turned it into the net.

The second was a masterpiece as Bryan Dabo headed the ball forward in midfield and it bounced to Floccari who spotted Donnarumma off his line and volleyed it over the startled goalkeeper.

Hakan Calhanoglu had the ball in the net for Milan but it was chalked off for offside against Ante Rebic in the build-up.

Just before the break, SPAL midfielder Mirko Valdifiori flew in recklessly on Theo Hernandez and was initially booked but his studs were dangerously high and it was changed to a red card after VAR review.

Milan, who had 25 shots on goal and 16 corners, pulled one back through Rafael Leao with 11 minutes left before the hapless Vicari came to their rescue.

The game also marked the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Milan, who had yet to play due to a calf injury suffered during the coronavirus suspension.