February 19, (THEWILL) — AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Como at the San Siro on Wednesday, leaving them seven points adrift of Serie A leaders Inter Milan with their title hopes fading further.
Nico Paz proved the catalyst for the visitors. The midfielder intercepted a wayward pass from goalkeeper Mike Maignan before slotting the ball through the Frenchman’s legs to give Como the lead on 32 minutes, a moment that underlined Milan’s vulnerability in possession at a critical juncture of the match.
Rafael Leao provided the response. The Portugal winger levelled on 64 minutes with a composed lob over Jean Butez, converting an inventive pass from Ardon Jashari. Leao had earlier been denied twice by Butez, and he was unfortunate not to complete a winning contribution when his header struck the crossbar late in the second half.
The evening took a further turn for Milan when head coach Massimiliano Allegri was dismissed from the technical area with 10 minutes remaining, having attracted the attention of the referee with his conduct on the touchline. The circumstances of his dismissal added unwanted turbulence to an already frustrating night for the hosts.
Jesus Rodriguez tested Maignan with a free-kick in the closing stages, yet neither side could produce the decisive moment. Milan’s unbeaten league run extends to 24 matches, but a draw at home to Como will do little to encourage fans who believe the club can still mount a genuine title challenge.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
