90min

SPAL 2-2 AC Milan: Late Own Goal Hands Rossoneri Undeserved Point

By Lee Bushe

SPAL were they better side - and should've come away with the full three points
SPAL were they better side - and should've come away with the full three points / Chris Ricco/Getty Images
facebooktwitterreddit

A last-minute own goal by Francesco Vicari rescued a dramatic point for AC Milan on Wednesday night, as the Rossoneri came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against SPAL.

Goals from Mattia Valoti and Sergio Floccari had SPAL two up within half an hour, but Marco D'Alessandro's sending off was the catalyst for a Milan fightback - albeit a limp one - to earn a share of the spoils.

Rafael Leao was the man to get Milan back into the game with just over ten minutes remaining, before Vicari's own goal - four minutes into stoppage time - completed the visitors comeback.

Here's 90min's breakdown of the game.

SPAL

SPAL celebrate Sergio Floccari's goal against Milan
SPAL celebrate Sergio Floccari's goal against Milan / Chris Ricco/Getty Images

Key Talking Point

SPAL's modus operandi was to shut up shop for much of the game, with Luigi Di Biagio's side more than happy to get numbers behind the ball and soak up any Milan attacks.

So when the home took a two-goal lead after a moment of individual brilliance, there was an air of confidence that SPAL could soak up pressure from a visiting side who were expected to dominate the ball.

They came so very close to doing so, too, and Di Biagio has every right to feel proud of the effort put in his players. SPAL probably won't survive relegation from Serie A, but this was an encouraging display.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Letica (7); Tomovic (7), Vicari (6), Bonfiazi (6); Sala (7), Valoti (7), Validifiori (6), Dabo (7), D'Alessandro (5); Petagna (5), Floccari (7*)

Substitutes: Missiroli (6), Fares (6), Salomon (N/A), Strefezza (N/A), Cionek (N/A)

Sergio Floccari

Sergio Floccari's goal - his first of the season - was a spectacular one
Sergio Floccari's goal - his first of the season - was a spectacular one / Chris Ricco/Getty Images

Sergio Floccari has been around for as long as time itself, probably playing for any remarkable mid-table Serie A side that you can think of at some point.

The 38-year-old hadn't scored a league goal for SPAL all season but ended that run with a spectacular effort from outside the box - one that will probably be a contender for goal of the season.

AC Milan

Milan were outplayed by a team who has spent most of the season in the relegation zone
Milan were outplayed by a team who has spent most of the season in the relegation zone / Chris Ricco/Getty Images

Key Talking Point

Just as things finally seemed to have picked up for Milan, I Rossoneri put in a lethargic, laboured display against a side who have been dismal at home.

A degree of criticism can be levelled towards their defence - conceding twice to the lowest scorers in Serie A is embarrassing - but most of the discontent should be directed at those higher up the pitch. Creativity wise, Milan were appalling - relying mostly on set-pieces and futile long-range shots.

If it wasn't abundantly clear already, Milan need a prolific striker up front and a new pair of wingers. If they don't strengthen, they will simply continue to tread water.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Donnarumma (6); Calabria (5), Gabbia (6), Romagnoli (6), Hernandez (6); Kessie (6), Bennacer (6), Castillejo (N/A), Paqueta (7*), Calhanoglu (6); Rebic (5)

Substitutes: Saelemakers (5), Leao (7); Laxalt (N/A), Ibrahimovic (N/A), Bonaventura (N/A)

Lucas Paqueta

Lucas Paqueta was hardly exceptional - but worked incredibly hard for his team
Lucas Paqueta was hardly exceptional - but worked incredibly hard for his team / Chris Ricco/Getty Images

The Brazilian international hasn't had a great season for Milan, but Paqueta at least showed glimpses of his ability with a determined showing.

His relentless running, coupled with some neat dribbling, was difficult for SPAL's defence to deal with, and his performance will have given Pioli - who hasn't favoured Paqueta much this season - plenty to think about going forward.

Looking Ahead

SPAL play fellow relegation-threatened Sampdoria at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris next, before taking on Udinese at home.

As for Milan, they have a tough run of fixtures coming up, facing title chasing Lazio and Juventus within the space of three days. Pioli's men then face an in-form Napoli side determined to put their nightmare start to the campaign behind them.