AC Milan’s struggles continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw at lowly AC Chievo Verona on Saturday, leaving Filippo Inzaghi’s side in danger of missing out on a European spot for the second straight season.
The seven-time European champions have 34 points from 25 games and are ninth in Serie A, five points behind fifth-placed ACF Fiorentina, who hold the last definite Europa League spot and were due to visit Inter yesterday.
After a soporific first half, in which the hosts had the best chance to pull ahead in the 25th minute when goalkeeper Diego Lopez courageously dived at Sergio Pellissier’s feet, Milan quickened the pace, but to no avail.
Photo: EPA
“It’s difficult to come here and dominate,” Inzaghi told Sky Sports Italia. “I want to look at it from a positive point of view — we haven’t lost in three games and for the second straight match we have a clean sheet.”
Milan’s Keisuke Honda, who had come on just after halftime to replace the injured Riccardo Montolivo, unleashed a vicious left-foot shot from just outside the area that rattled the crossbar.
Chievo worked hard to avoid giving space to Jeremy Menez, but the French playmaker was able to breakthrough on the right wing in the 66th minute. Menez’s crisp pass into the area for Giampaolo Pazzini appeared to be perfect, but Federico Mattiello arrived just in time to avoid an easy tap-in for the former UC Sampdoria striker.
Despite finishing the match with four attackers Milan failed to score for the sixth time this season.
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