AC Milan’s French defender Adil Rami (R) celebrates with goalkeeper Marco Amelia their club’s victory 2-0 over Sampdoria the Luigi Ferraris stadium in Genoa on Saturday.
AFP/Milan
Adel Taarabt and Adil Rami scored either side of half-time to secure a precious 2-0 win for AC Milan away to 10-man Sampdoria on Sunday and keep the struggling Serie A giants’ resurgence on track.
Milan, who replaced former coach Massimiliano Allegri with Clarence Seedorf following a 4-3 defeat by Sassuolo in early January, have now lost only once in the league under the 37-year-old Dutchman.
Milan’s second win on the trot, following a 3-1 reverse to Napoli two weeks ago, was all the sweeter for the red and black half of Milan as city rivals Inter were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Cagliari at the San Siro.
It was the Nerazzurri’s 10th draw this season, a largely unenvied feat shared only by Cagliari. Elsewhere, Antonio Di Natale scored a 71st minute penalty to secure a share of the points for Udinese in a 1-1 draw with visiting Atalanta, who opened the scoring through Davide Brivio in the 24th minute.
Verona moved back to within sight of the Europa League places with a cagey 3-2 win away to Livorno, while Chievo claimed a deserved 2-0 home win over fellow strugglers Catania. Leaders Juventus host Torino in the city derby later Sunday looking to restore their nine-point lead over second-placed Roma, who beat Bologna 1-0 away on Saturday, although the Giallorossi still have a game in hand.
Napoli, in third at 13 points off the leaders’ pace, host Genoa in one of two matches programmed on Monday.
Milan travelled to the Luigi Ferraris stadium only days after a strenuous 1-1 draw at home to Champions League last 16 opponents Atletico Madrid, and wary of Sampdoria’s resurgence under new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic. However, Taarabt settled nerves in the 12th minute at the second time of asking after Angelo Da Costa had blocked the Moroccan’s powerful header following a cross from the right. France defender Rami headed Milan’s second just before the hour, although there were protests after Giampaolo Pazzini rose to challenge Da Costa from a corner and left the’keeper on the ground.
Milan were handed a boost when Sampdoria striker Maxi Lopez saw red on 72 minutes after receiving two bookings in quick succession.
The incident incensed an already angry Sampdoria support, some of whom took out their frustration by launching issiles at Milan’s players.
Inter, meanwhile, confirmed their status as Serie A’s draw kings after failing to capitalise on their clear domination of visitors Cagliari.
Mauricio Pinilla gave the Sardinians a 40th minute lead from the spot after a Juan Jesus handball following a cross into the area that was deflected by Walter Samuel.
Inter spurned the chance to level on the cusp of half-time when Ricardo Alvarez failed to reach the rebound from Diego Milito’s angled strike.
Inter coach Walter Mazzarri replaced Milito with Mauro Icardi at half-time and only seven minutes in the Argentinian played a role in the Nerazzurri’s equaliser.
Yuto Nagatomo delivered a cross from the left and Icardi, unmarked near the back post, headed into the path of Rolando for the Portuguese defender to sweep home from close range. Under the watchful eye of new owner Erick Thohir Inter spurned a series of further chances.
Icardi should have won it for the hosts on the stroke of full-time but the forward’s header, under a challenge from Vlada Avramov, came off the ‘keeper’s crossbar.