Bennacer saves point for Milan in local derby

Ismael Bennacer made sure that champions Milan came away from the Gewiss Stadium with a deserved point with a well-placed curling effort midway through the second half. "I think we could have done more. We tried to win this match," said Bennacer to DAZN. "They were well drilled and it was hard for us to find spaces. But when you can't win it's important that you don't lose. And we didn't lose."

Stefano Pioli's side had been trailing to Ruslan Malinovskyi's deflected opener in a typically feisty encounter between local Lombardy rivals which left both on four points from their first two games of the season. Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini had criticised Malinovskyi in the lead up to the match, saying the club should look for a player "who scores more than six goals a season". The Ukraine midfielder responded in trademark fashion in the 29th minute.

Known for his powerful shot, Malinovskyi lined up one of his rockets and unleashed an effort which deflected off Pierre Kalulu's knee and left Mike Maignan with no chance. Milan should have been level before Bennacer struck, with Kalulu somehow sending a free header over the bar from six yards and Rafael Leao's powerful drive just swerving wide early in the second half.

Sandro Tonali then missed a golden opportunity to score on the hour after being put through by Charles De Ketelaere and failing to beat Juan Musso. However, eight minutes later, Bennacer equalised for Milan, capitalising on a dozing home defence who didn't react quickly enough to the ball bouncing back in off the corner flag to cut inside and whip home an angled drive.

That was it for action in Bergamo as neither side managed to fashion another genuine chance from the final 20 minutes.

Elsewhere, Bologna drew 1-1 with Verona with goals from Marko Arnautovic and Thomas Henry respectively.

 

August 21, 2022