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Salernitana won an historic point at the San Siro as AC Milan failed to keep pace at the top of the table.
AC Milan dominated for chunks of the first-half and were rewarded with a late Giroud goal at the end of the half; however, they failed to hold on to their lead as Salernitana's potency in transitions proved deadly in the second-half, and they grabbed an equaliser in an entertaining 1-1 draw.
AC Milan hosted Salernitana at the San Siro as they looked to continue their impressive record against the Granata, who they have never failed to beat at home.
A Giroud goal in the 45th minute of the game had the game set for its usual historic course, but Boulaye Dia grabbed an equaliser for the visitors in the 61st minute.
The draw meant AC Milan failed to go level on points with Inter, who are in second, while they remained fourth. Salernitana, on the other hand, is 16th, and the point gained helped them move seven points clear of the relegation places.
How it happened
AC Milan started slowly but steadily playing their way into dominance against a Salernitana side with whom they usually find joy.
Milan had many chances to go ahead in the first-half, but profligacy on the part of Milan attackers, resolute defending by Salernitana's backline, and heroic goalkeeping by Guillermo Ochoa kept the game tied.
Milan would not be held into the second half, however, with Olivier Giroud connecting emphatically to an Ismael Bennacer cross to head the hosts into the lead.
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The second-half started the same way as the first, slowly but soon bursting into life. Milan resumed their dominance and threatened to pull further ahead, but Salernitana showed their teeth on transitions.
Milan finally showed enough skin for the visitors to bite when Boulaye Dia completed a sweeping team move that had AC Milan's defence all over the place. He tapped in a ground cross by Domagoj Bradaric to pull his side level.
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Stefano Pioli immediately made a triple change, noticing the fatigue in his players who were in action last Wednesday when they knocked out Tottenham from the Champions League.
He took off Olivier Giroud, Rafael Leao, and Brahim Diaz and brought on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Charles De Ketelaere, and Divick Origi.
The new players brought energy, and Milan started to dominate again. Pioli's men thought they were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute when Bennacer was clattered in the box, but upon VAR review, the decision was overturned.
Zlatan also looked like he had given Milan a lead, but the referee signalled that the ball had not crossed the line.
The strife continued for Milan, but they did not manage to reestablish the lead before the final whistle.
READ MORE: Richest footballers in the world (2023 list)
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