Salernitana 2-2 AC Milan: Rebic rescues leaders

Ante Rebic came off the bench to salvage a 2-2 draw for Serie A leaders AC Milan at bottom side Salernitana on Saturday.

Junior Messias gave the Rossoneri an early lead at Stadio Arechi, but they were facing a shock defeat following goals from Federico Bonazzoli and Milan Djuric.

The fit-again Rebic came to the rescue, equalising 13 minutes from time with his first goal since September.

This was a setback for Stefano Pioli's side in the title race, though, as they missed a chance to go four points clear of rivals Inter, who have two games in hand.

The Rossoneri were in front just five minutes in, when Messias finished with his left foot after the marauding Theo Hernandez charged forward and picked him out with a perfectly weighted pass.

Ismael Bennacer almost doubled Milan's lead with a venomous free-kick that forced a fine save from Luigi Sepe, but the leaders gifted Salernitana an equaliser in the 29th minute.

Mike Maignan was badly at fault, flapping at a cross that he had no need to come for and Bonazzoli punished him, volleying in with a spectacular scissor kick from six yards after Djuric rose above the goalkeeper with a towering header.

Rafael Leao came agonisingly close to restoring Milan's lead early in the second half with a rasping acrobatic strike that whistled past the right-hand post after Franck Kessie replaced Bennacer at the break.

Maignan looked to have handed Bonazzoli a second goal on a plate when he was robbed by the striker, whose goal-bound shot was headed behind by the alert Alessio Romagnoli.

The home side were in front with 18 minutes to go, though, as Djuric met Pasquale Mazzocchi's cross with a powerful downward header into the bottom-left corner.

Milan hit back to draw level soon after courtesy of a long-range drive from Croatia forward Rebic as both sides had to settle for a point.

What does it mean? Sloppy Milan slip up

A trip to face a team in deep trouble at the bottom of the table looked to offer the perfect chance for Milan to move further clear of Inter ahead of their game against Sassuolo on Sunday.

This was therefore a missed opportunity for Pioli's men, who had only conceded one goal in their previous four games but looked vulnerable at the back and did not do enough going forward.

They are now unbeaten in five matches but were left to reflect on what might have been after a three-game winning run was brought to a halt.

Rebic back in business

It has been a frustrating time for Rebic, who has been sidelined by an ankle injury.

He made the impact Pioli was looking for off the bench, though, scoring only his third goal of the season. Milan will need him to start firing frequently as they battle to try and dethrone Inter.

Maignan a liability

This was an evening Maignan will want to forget in a hurry, as his misjudgment enabled Salernitana to draw level.

The French keeper then breathed a massive sigh of relief after he was dispossessed when trying to beat Bonazzoli and his blushes were saved by Romagnoli.

What's next?

Milan are back at San Siro to face Udinese on Friday, while Salernitana are at home to Bologna next Saturday.