MILAN, Feb 20: Italian league leader AC Milan dropped crucial points in the title race after drawing 2-2 at last-place Salernitana on Saturday.
Milan is two points ahead of defending champion Inter Milan and three points ahead of third-place Napoli, which has one game in hand.
It could have been worse for Milan coach Stefano Pioli’s side, as Croatia forward Ante Rebic rescued a point with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area in the 77th after being set up by striker Olivier Giroud.
Five minutes earlier, striker Milan Djuric headed Salerintana ahead.
Brazilian midfielder Junior Messias put Milan ahead in the fifth minute but striker Federico Bonazzoli equalized for the home side in the 29th with a fine scissor kick after goalkeeper Mike Maignan failed to properly clear a cross.
Jose Mourinho’s seventh-place Roma scraped a 2-2 home draw with Verona after trailing 2-0 inside the first 20 minutes.
Czech Republic midfielder Antonin Barak gave Verona a fifth-minute lead and Frenchman Adrien Tameze made it 2-0. Forward Cristian Volpato (65’) and midfielder Edoardo Bove (84’) then scored after coming off the bench.
Fabio Quagliarella hit both goals as Sampdoria beat midtable Empoli 2-0 at home to move further away from the relegation zone. (AP)
