AC Milan and Sampdoria shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza with second half goals from Roberto Soriano and Nigel De Jong securing a point each for their respective teams.
Although a draw does nothing for either side in their attempts to secure Europa League qualification for next season it was probably a fair result following an evenly matched contest on Sunday evening where both sides struggled to break each other down and create goal scoring chances.
This game enjoyed lively opening exchanges as both teams started brightly and moved the ball around with real intent. Milan’s pace in wide areas caused Sampdoria particular issues in the early stages while the visitors looked dangerous on the break.
The first half developed with a distinct lack of clear goal scoring opportunities although Marco Van Ginkel did send a pair of long range efforts wide of Emiliano Viviano’s post while Samuel Eto’o came close to hitting the target at the other end of the pitch.
Most of Milan’s play came down the right flank with Alessio Cerci and Ignazio Abate combining well, and Mattia Destro really should have opened the scoring for the hosts on the half hour mark after Abate whipped in a pin point cross from the right which landed perfectly upon the striker’s head. However, he could only direct it straight into Viviano’s arms.
It was Cerci at the centre of play just before the break when the ball broke on to his favoured left foot at the edge of the Sampdoria box. Despite having a clear sight of goal the the former Torino winger smashed his effort over the bar when he really should have hit the target at the very least.
The two teams went into the break goalless following composed first half performances from both sides who largely confined each other to long range efforts and half chances.
It was always going to take a moment of class to break the stalemate and it came in the 58th minute. Eder broke up field and just as the counter attack seemed to have lost its momentum, the newly capped Italian international squared the ball back to Eto’o on the edge of the area.
Rather than take another long range shot, the veteran forward looked up and played a brilliantly judged through ball which nutmeged Philippe Mexès on its way to Roberto Soriano. Through on goal, the midfielder coolly placed his shot into the bottom corner to give the Blucerchiati the lead.
Trailing by a goal, Milan lacked any kind of urgency and looked low on confidence, issues which have plagued them throughout this season. Ultimately it was simple luck which drew them level in the 74th minute when De Jong’s speculative overhead kick took a bad deflection off Alfred Duncan to wrong foot Viviano in the Sampdoria goal.
The equalizer galvanised Milan who pushed for a winner in the closing stages of the match and Suso struck the post with a beautifully curling effort eight minutes from the end.
Ultimately, however, they were unable to break down a well organised Sampdoria defence who were happy to defend deep and see out the match for a draw.
