Milan held to 1-1 draw by lowly Cagliari

Juventus boss Motta laments yet another draw after Torino derby stalemate

MILAN:

AC Milan's uphill battle to close the gap to the top of Serie A continued when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by relegation-battlers Cagliari on Saturday in new coach Sergio Conceicao's league debut. Cagliari stunned the hosts in the 55th minute when defender Nadir Zortea scored from a counter-attack four minutes after Alvaro Morata's opener for Milan from close range.

Conceicao, who was appointed on Dec. 30 to replace sacked Paulo Fonseca, led Milan to Italian Super Cup success on Monday against Inter Milan, becoming the manager who needed the fewest games (two) to win a trophy with the club since 1929-30.

It may take time, however, for the Portuguese to turn around their Serie A fortunes, with Milan having won one of their last five league games.

They sit eighth in the standings on 28 points, eight points behind fourth-placed Lazio but have two games in hand.

The hosts dominated the entire match and midfielder Tijjani Reijnders should have put them in front after 20 minutes but his low attempt was denied by Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile.

Milan keeper Mike Maignan stretched to keep out Mattia Felici's lofted effort from the edge of the box just before the break.

Milan were strong after the restart with Christian Pulisic hitting the bar from the edge of the area and Morata finding the side netting before the Spaniard broke the deadlock in the 51st minute.

Theo Hernandez found Pulisic inside the box with a stunning diagonal ball and the American's effort was deflected onto the post by Caprile before Morata scrambled the rebound home.

Zortea, however, levelled for Cagliari four minutes later with a low shot from outside the box for his fourth league goal of the season, the joint most goals by a defender in the big five European leagues this campaign.

Milan were still in control and Pulisic had a great chance to restore their lead but was thwarted by Caprile after the hour-mark before Hernandez fired a terrific shot over the bar.

But the 23-year-old Caprile brilliantly denied further shots by Tammy Abraham and Hernandez, before saving the France defender's free kick deep into stoppage time.

Cagliari, who snapped their losing streak of five games across all competitions last weekend when they won 2-1 at bottom side Monza, are 18th with 18 points.

Juventus in slump

Juventus coach Thiago Motta lamented his side's performance in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Torino, stressing that there have been "too many draws" after taking the lead in their recent games.

Juventus are unbeaten in their Serie A campaign but have drawn more than any other side in the league, enduring a 12th stalemate in 19 games after Nikola Vlasic cancelled out Juve's early opener by Kenan Yildiz.

"We started well, but after taking the lead we dropped too deep, allowing them to create chances. We could have been more aggressive or avoided letting them reach that dangerous area," Motta told reporters.

"We can do better from the point of view of aggressiveness. We didn't finish in the right way to win the game. In the locker room we talked about this situation.

"Definitely too many draws, especially after leading games. With a young squad and some injuries. Never an excuse, we've lost only two matches in all competitions."

A depleted Juventus travelled to city rivals Torino without striker Dusan Vlahovic, sidelined with a muscle issue, on top of injuries to key players such as forward Arkadiusz Milik.

However, the Italian manager was pleased as Douglas Luiz returned to the starting eleven after recovering from muscle issues.

"He played very well, I'm very happy with his performance," he said of the Brazilian midfielder.

"We need as many fit players in the squad as possible. Right now (left back Andrea) Cambiaso I have to thank him because he is on painkillers so he can give us a hand."

Juventus, fifth in the standings on 33 points, visit second-placed Atalanta on Tuesday before they host AC Milan next Saturday.