Ignazio Abate and Andrea Bertolacci were both denied by the crossbar within seconds as AC Milan were denied a Serie A victory at Chievo.
Defender Abate and midfielder Bertolacci struck the woodwork in quick succession 16 minutes from time at the Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi as Milan eventually had to make do with a 0-0 draw.
The visitors went into the game looking to close the gap on the top five by bouncing back from last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Sassuolo, but were ultimately frustrated in a tight and competitive encounter.
They were indebted to substitute goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, who had replaced the injured Gianluigi Donnarumma early in the first half, for important saves from Antonio Floro Flores and Riccardo Meggiorini within minutes of his introduction.
Keisuke Honda went close with a free-kick at the other end as the half-time whistle approached and Giacomo Bonaventura fired just too high from distance five minutes after the restart as Milan responded.
Abbiati was called upon to claim Valter Birsa's 54th-minute effort, but the visitors had stepped up a gear and came desperately close to the opening goal when Abate and Bertolacci struck the goal-frame inside a minute.
However, they very nearly lost it at the death when Chievo's Fabrizio Cacciatore fired home in the final minute of normal time, only for an offside flag to ruin his celebrations.
The home side have now won just twice in 10 league outings, but they at least emerged with something to show for their efforts after their 3-1 defeat at high-flying Napoli last Saturday.
Italian Serie A Standings
| POS | Team | GP | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Internazionale | 33 | +49 | 78 |
| 2 | AC Milan | 33 | +21 | 66 |
| 3 | Napoli | 33 | +15 | 66 |
| 4 | Juventus | 33 | +28 | 63 |
| 5 | Como | 33 | +29 | 58 |
| 6 | AS Roma | 33 | +17 | 58 |
| 7 | Atalanta | 33 | +16 | 54 |
| 8 | Bologna | 33 | +3 | 48 |
| 9 | Lazio | 33 | +4 | 47 |
| 10 | Sassuolo | 33 | -3 | 45 |
| 11 | Udinese | 33 | -5 | 43 |
| 12 | Torino | 33 | -17 | 40 |
| 13 | Genoa | 33 | -6 | 39 |
| 14 | Parma | 33 | -16 | 39 |
| 15 | Fiorentina | 32 | -7 | 35 |
| 16 | Cagliari | 33 | -14 | 33 |
| 17 | Cremonese | 33 | -21 | 28 |
| 18 | Lecce | 32 | -24 | 27 |
| 19 | Hellas Verona | 33 | -33 | 18 |
| 20 | Pisa | 33 | -36 | 18 |
Serie A News
![]()
Transfer rumors, news: Barcelona step up interest in Italy right back
Barcelona are stepping up their pursuit of Atalanta right back Marco Palestra, while Arsenal remain interested in Julián Álvarez.
![]()
Napoli booed off as loss puts Inter Milan on verge of title
Napoli was jeered off the field after it lost 2-0 at home to Lazio -- a result that saw Inter Milan take a huge step toward winning the Serie A title.
![]()
AC Milan boosts Champions League push with win at last-place Verona
AC Milan boosted its chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League and moved back into second spot in Serie A with a 1-0 win at last-placed Hellas Verona.
![]()
Ashley Cole 'discouraged' by coaching opportunities in England
Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has said he felt "discouraged" by the lack of managerial opportunities in England and is grateful for Serie B side Cesena for the "massive leap of faith" in appointing him.
![]()
Claudio Ranieri and Gian Piero Gasperini in transfer row at Roma
Claudio Ranieri and Gian Piero Gasperini have disagreed over transfers at Roma this season.
![]()
Tracking Europe's top soccer leagues: Title races, UCL, relegation
How are the battles for major honors, Champions League spots and relegation shaping up across the continent? Here's everything you need to know.












