By Petar Todorovski
Milan had a great opportunity to cement their championship position but they slipped against the almost relegated Bari. Rossonerri can be happy because they didn’t lose the game, as Antonio Cassano scored in last ten minutes for 1-1.
Milan tried to control the match from the beginning, and they managed so, but failed to convert chances into goals. Robinho was the first who treated, before Sergio Almiron had an opportunity for Bari. Alexandre Pato was in great position in 15th minute, but his finish was awful. Milan had more of the game, but keeper Gillet’s net wasn’t touched.
Bari managed to save their net and even took the lead. In 39th minute Gergely Rudolf scored from close range after a free kick and poor defending by Milan defenders. Milan tried to respond immediately, but they were still unable to break Galletti’s srong defensive line.
Jean-Francois Gillet was finally tested in 50th minute by Robinho, but he kept his goal clear. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored few minutes after but the result remained 0-1, as it was disallowed due to handball. Urby Emanuelson was close to equalize in 65th minute, but he was stopped by substitute Erik Huseklepp.
Milan were desperate to find the Gillet’s net, but guests defense was really strong. In situations like that Ibrahimovic usually makes some stupid things. Now he made a needless foul and he was sent off in 73th minute, decreasing the chances for getting a point for his team.
However, substitute Antonio Cassano managed to score in 82nd minute and saved his team mates from blame. Both teams made some efforts until the end, but it ended 1-1.
Massimiliano Allegri was frustrated by the result and said that his team should have beaten Bari. “We played badly without any depth, but we were better in the second half. They were good to score their only chance of the game, but we should have been more careful,” he said, and further commented about Ibrahimovic goal drought and the needless red card: “We are annoyed, but we must live this week in a positive way. Ibrahimovic was tranquil during the week, but he cannot become nervous even though it has been a month since he last scored.”
Full back Luca Antonini felt that the final outcome wasn’t fair. “It was not in the programme to draw, and we did not deserve to as we attacked them in the first and second half,” he claimed.
Milan still holds the first position with five points advantage ahead of Inter. They have tough game in Sicily against Palermo next week.
