Chievo stalemate dents Milan's Champions League bid

AC Milan's bid to secure Champions League football was dented by a scoreless draw at Chievo on Sunday, the visitors hitting the woodwork twice in a frustrating second half.

Milan had 'keeper Christian Abbiati to thank for a clean sheet at half-time, the veteran stepping up to the plate with aplomb after replacing the injured Gianluigi Donnarumma in the opening minutes.

Sinisa Mihajlovic's men produced a better performance in the second half, but were denied by post and crossbar twice in a matter of seconds on their way to a frustrating stalemate that has dented the seven-time champions' hopes of returning to Europe's premier club competition after a three-year absence.

Milan remain in sixth place but could be 11 points behind Roma, who occupy the third and last Champions League qualifying spot, if Luciano Spalletti's men win at Verona later Sunday.

Champions Juventus, who beat Sassuolo 1-0 on Friday, top the league with a six-point lead on Napoli, who can reduce their deficit to three points with a win at Palermo later Sunday.

Chievo kept Milan on their toes in a positive opening half and Abbiati was at full stretch to keep out Antonio Floro Flores's angled drive.

When Riccardo Meggiorini was sent through on the right, the 'keeper then did well to block with his foot.

At the other end Keisuke Honda's free kick hit the side-netting, while Andrea Poli's angled drive sailed wide of the far post.

Milan were struggling for rhythm and pace, and although they showed improvement after the interval their failure to find the net proved costly.

Giacomo Bonaventura turned inside the area to fire just over Albano Bizzarri's crossbar, although minutes later former Milan midfielder Valter Birsa test Abbiati on the counter.

With Mario Balotelli glued to the bench following claims by Mihajlovic the on-loan Liverpool striker "has an attitude problem", it was Luiz Adriano who replaced French forward Jeremy Menez on the hour.

The change sparked a Milan flurry that incredibly saw the visitors hit the woodwork twice in a matter of seconds.

On 74 minutes Ignazio Abate's drive from the right side of the area forced Bizzarri to parry on to the crossbar and when Andrea Bertolacci pounced on the rebound he fired off post and crossbar.

Cacciatore had the ball in the Milan net in the final minute of time after beating Abbiati with a header from a free kick, but he was ruled offside.
Source :AFP