Milan 1 Catania 1

MILAN: Abbiati, Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Boateng, Pirlo, Seedorf; Ronaldinho, Inzaghi, Ibrahimovic.
CATANIA: Andujar; Potenza, Silvestre, Spolli, Capuano; Carboni; Mascara, Izco, Biagianti, Ricchiuti; Lopez.

Milan failed to keep their 100 percent record at San Siro after being held by a determined Catania outfit during Saturday evening's posticipo.

The Rossoneri started brightly but were stunned on 27 minutes when Ciro Capuano made the most of a poor clearance to rifle home a volleyed finish from long range. Filippo Inzaghi levelled proceedings on the stroke of half time as he stabbed home in the six yard box in trademark fashion.

Milan threw everything at the visitors after the break but they lacked the luck in the final third needed to find the winning goal.

Both sides were forced to settle for a draw which moves them up to four points apiece in the standings. Despite an improved all round performance, the Diavolo left the field discontent after failing to win at San Siro for the first time this term.

A slow start to the encounter favoured Milan who took an early hold of possession looking to work from the back. Inzaghi was served with a golden chance on 13 minutes, but the usually razor sharp hitman snuffed his effort just yards from goal.

The Rossoneri looked far more convincing than their midweek showing in the Champions League and Massimiliano Allegri’s men dictated proceedings as they worked the ball around rapidly in attack.

Capuano stunned the home crowd on 26 minutes when he buried a shot into the back of the net from 25 yards. The Diavolo were stunned but there was little Christian Abbiati could do to block a stunning effort. The goal put the wind in Catania’s sails and Marco Giampaolo’s outfit were a different side, boosted by the lead.

Milan got themselves back into the game, however, on the stroke of half time when Inzaghi stabbed home following a rifled assist from Ronaldinho. The goal had been coming for the Rossoneri and they merited the equaliser for their insistent approach.


The Diavolo came out firing after the break and were unlucky not to take the lead when Mariano Andujar beat away Clarance Seedorf’s well taken strike.

Milan continued to get men forward in numbers but Catania were well organised at the back and made life difficult as they paid extra attention to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Giuseppe Mascara attempted a speculative drive on 65 minutes, but the Elefanti marksman could not find the bottom corner as Abbiati read the effort attentively.

Despite a late push the Rossoneri were unable to find the match-winning goal. Allegri’s men left the field with a point and the coach was left happy with the improved performance despite failure to secure victory.

The result leaves Milan two points off leaders Chievo after having played a game more than the Gialloblu. After holding the Rossoneri in the same fixture last year, Catania returned from the San Siro with another point, a feat which the Elefanti had never completed twice in a row before this evening.