SERIES A
09.11.2024 | 21:00
AC Milan’s Rafael Leao leaves the field during the Champions League opening round soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calani)
AP
Milan suffered a setback in Serie A as they drew 3-3 at Cagliari on matchday 12 of Serie A. The home team equalized in the 89th minute through Zappa.
AC Milan struggled to win in Sardinia as their A12 league match with Cagliari ended 3-3. The Rossoneri did not take advantage of the opportunity from the Bernabeu and threw away two valuable points, losing new ground.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, but Leao had an immediate response in the 15th minute. The 25-year-old Portuguese put Milan ahead in the 40th minute.
In stoppage time in the first half, Viola found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed by VAR. At the beginning of the second half, specifically in the 53rd minute, Zappa brought balance to the game again.
However, Tammy Abraham scored in the 69th minute, which Milan could not hold. In the 89th minute of the game, Zappa gave Cagliari the point.
Milan is in 7th place with 17 points, and is in danger of falling even further at the end of the 12th game.
- CALIARI: Seri, Zappa, Palomino (74′ Vietesca), Luperto, Ogelio, Makumbu (79′ Marin), Deiola, Zortea (79′ Lapadula), Viola (73′ Gaetano), Luvumbo, Piccoli (79′ Pavoletti).
- MILAN: Menian, Emerson (81′ Tomori), Tio, Pavlovic, Hernandez, Fofana, Raiders, Chukwueze (65′ Loftus-Cheek), Pulisic (82′ Musa), Leao (82′ Okafor), Camarda (66′ Abraham)
The schedule and results of the competition
- Genoa – Como 1-1 (90+2’ Voliako / Swing 17′)
- Lecce – Empoli 1-1 (77′ Pierotti / 33′ Pellegri)
- Venice – Parma 1-2 (5′ Cavilia / 17′ Valeri, 68′ Bony)
- Cagliari – Milan 3-3 (2′ Zortea, 53′, 89′ Zappa / 15′, 40′, Leo, 69′ Abraham)
- 09/11 21:45 Juventus – Torino
- 10/11 13:30 Atalanta – Udinese
- 10/11 16:00 Rome – Bologna
- 10/11 16:00 Fiorentina - Verona
- 10/11 19:00 Monza – Lazio
- 10/11 21:45 Between – Naples
Interview between Time.news Editor and Sports Analyst Kostas Augustakis
Time.news Editor: Good evening, and welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Kostas Augustakis, a prominent sports analyst who recently covered the thrilling Serie A match between AC Milan and Cagliari. Kostas, thank you for joining us!
Kostas Augustakis: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. What a dramatic match that was! AC Milan leading twice only to end up with a 3-3 draw. What were the key moments that defined the game for you?
Augustakis: Absolutely! The match was filled with intense action. Milan took control with Rafael Leao responding quickly after Cagliari’s opening goal, and he even put them ahead just before halftime. Those moments really highlighted Milan’s resilience. However, Cagliari’s late equalizer in the 89th minute, courtesy of Zappa, changed the entire narrative. It illustrates how quickly the dynamics of a game can shift in football.
Editor: Speaking of Rafael Leao, he seems to be a crucial player for Milan. How has he been performing this season, and what impact does he have on the team?
Augustakis: Leao has been phenomenal! His ability to create chances and score goals makes him a pivotal player for Milan. This season, he’s demonstrated not just his scoring ability but also his vision on the pitch. His performance against Cagliari was a testament to his importance; without his goals, Milan could have faced a much worse fate in that match.
Editor: With this draw against Cagliari, how does this affect AC Milan’s standing in Serie A? Are they in trouble, or is there still time to bounce back?
Augustakis: This draw definitely set them back in the title race. Losing points, especially in matches where you are favored to win, can be detrimental. They missed an opportunity to solidify their position and lost ground to their rivals. However, there’s still plenty of time left in the season for Milan to recover. With their roster’s depth and talent, if they address their defensive lapses, they could still compete strongly.
Editor: It seems that consistency will be crucial for the Rossoneri moving forward. From your perspective, what adjustments do you think the coaching staff should consider?
Augustakis: Defensively, they need to tighten up. They’ve shown vulnerability in set pieces and late-game situations, which has cost them points. Additionally, while their attacking play is potent, they might consider balancing it with more emphasis on midfield control to manage games better and limit opponents’ chances.
Editor: Great insights, Kostas. Before we wrap up, what are you looking forward to in the next Serie A fixtures for Milan?
Augustakis: I’m looking forward to seeing how they respond to this setback. Milan’s next few matches will be crucial for their morale and confidence. If they can secure wins and regain their form, it could set the tone for the rest of the season. It’s always fascinating to see how teams react under pressure!
Editor: Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Kostas. Your insights on AC Milan and the current Serie A landscape provide fantastic context to the match results. We appreciate your time today!
Augustakis: Thank you for having me! I always enjoy discussing football, especially during such an exciting season.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for joining us today. Stay tuned for more sports updates and expert analyses here at Time.news!