AC Milan let Inter off the hook

Milan, December 10 

AC Milan missed a chance to pile pressure on local rivals and fellow Champions League chasers Inter Milan in Serie A after being held to a goalless draw by Torino at the San Siro on Sunday.

Gennaro Gattuso’s fourth-placed Milan are three points behind Inter, who lost to leaders Juventus on Friday, after wasting opportunities to win the match, with forward Patrick Cutrone missing a golden chance with four minutes left and Gonzalo Higuain, returning from a two-match ban, also denied late.

Milan’s wastefulness wasn’t punished by Torino, four points behind Milan in sixth and still unbeaten away from home, thanks to goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma denying Iago Falque and Andrea Belotti.

Milan also had the chance to move away from Lazio, who contrived to draw 2-2 with Sampdoria on Saturday despite taking the lead five minutes into stoppage time, and Roma, who threw away a two-goal lead to draw at Cagliari after the Sardinians were reduced to nine men.

All lag behind Juve, who are eight points clear of second-placed Napoli.

Earlier Duvan Zapata got Atalanta back to winning ways after consecutive losses with a hat-trick against former club Udinese that brought them to within touching distance of the Champions League places, the last of which is occupied by Milan.

Piatek overtakes Ronaldo 

Cesare Prandelli started his reign as Genoa coach with a 1-1 draw against fellow strugglers SPAL, despite captain Domenico Criscito being sent off in the 11th minute.

Andrea Petagna had headed SPAL ahead minutes after Criscito’s dismissal for a high tackle, but Krzysztof Piatek earned Genoa a point from the penalty spot with his 11th goal of the season — taking him ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the scoring charts. — AFP