SALERNO — Serie A leaders AC Milan averted a shock defeat to basement club Salernitana on Saturday, with Ante Rebic rescuing a 2-2 draw with a late strike from long range.
Ante Rebic!
Milan fight back. pic.twitter.com/GMIQiqxW35— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2022
Milan, who are chasing a first title in 11 years, went ahead in the fifth minute with a strike from Brazilian attacking midfielder Junior Messias after he had been released by full back Theo Hernandez.
Milan start early!
Theo Hernández goes on a run and finds Junior Messias who slots it in with ease. ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/DUTH4IadqX— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2022
Salernitana pulled level in the 29th minute through striker Federico Bonazzoli and then took a surprise lead in the 72nd with a diving header from Bosnian forward Milan Djuric.
FEDERICO BONAZZOLI IS ON HIS BIKE.
SALERNITANA EQUALIZE IN STYLE. pic.twitter.com/VpfDTRkTCO— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2022
A shocker on our hands!
Milan Djuric gives Salernitana the lead. pic.twitter.com/Uv1flqZDTi— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2022
The home side's euphoria did not last long, however, as Croatian midfielder Rebic let fly with a low shot from outside the box which skidded into the far bottom corner of the net.
The draw meant Milan failed to extend their lead at the top of the table and they sit on 56 points after 26 matches, two ahead of neighbours and champions Inter Milan, who have two games in hand and can regain top spot when they host Sassuolo on Sunday.
Salernitana stayed rooted to the foot of the table but moved on to 14 points.
(Reporting by Richard Martin, editing by Pritha Sarkar)