Wasteful AC Milan Held to Draw at Parma but Level with Serie A Leaders Napoli

AC Milan are now level on points with Napoli at the top of Serie A after squandering a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in an entertaining clash against lowly Parma on Saturday.

The visitors appeared set to move two points clear of the reigning champions after racing into a comfortable lead by the 25th minute, courtesy of an early strike from Alexis Saelemaekers and a Rafael Leão penalty. However, Adrian Bernabé’s stunning curling effort on the stroke of half-time halved the deficit, before Enrico Delprato’s glancing header secured a well-earned draw for Parma — a result that lifted them two points above the relegation zone.

Mateo Pellegrino struck the post just moments before captain Delprato netted his first goal since January, as Milan struggled to withstand sustained pressure from the home side in the second half.

“We needed to battle more, but we were too passive,” said Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri. “You cannot simply allow them to shoot as we did at the end of the first half when the match seemed under control, because that makes it easier to be caught.

“Then we came out for the second half completely disorganised and only woke up once they made it 2-2.”

Milan have now dropped points from winning positions against Parma, Pisa, and Atalanta, leaving them vulnerable to being overtaken on Sunday by both Roma and local rivals Inter Milan. Each side sits just a point behind and faces Lazio at the San Siro later today.

The Rossoneri could still have snatched victory late on, but substitutes Christian Pulisic and Saelemaekers squandered glorious chances.

Pulisic dragged his shot wide when clean through on goal in the 76th minute, while Saelemaekers blazed over from close range six minutes later after rounding Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

Elsewhere, Juventus missed the chance to close the gap on the leaders after being held to a goalless draw by city rivals Torino — on a day that had produced no goals in Serie A until Saelemaekers broke the deadlock in Parma.

Juve remain fifth on 19 points after a scrappy but lively derby at the Allianz Stadium in which both sides created openings.

Che Adams was denied midway through the second half when his low drive was superbly turned away by Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. Moments later, Torino’s Alberto Paleari produced an even more impressive save, clawing out Weston McKennie’s close-range header to preserve parity.