The first match in AC Milan's Chinese era got off to a dramatic start after Cristian Zapata prodded home the last kick of the game to earn the Rossoneri a point against rivals Inter. Goals from Antonio Candreva and Mauro Icardi's first Derby goal looked to have handed Inter all three points, but Milan's Colombian defender ensured it was party time for the 'away' fans after Alessio Romagnoli gave them hope seven minutes from time. Yonghong Li replaced Silvio Berlusconi as Milan president as Rossoneri Sport Luxembourg gained full control of the Serie A side after two years of negotiations, and he will no doubt have been happy with what looked to have been a certain defeat turning into a point. The result leaves Milan two points above their rivals in the Serie A table, and in sixth position, as both continue to vie for a place in the Europa League next season. With both teams now under Chinese ownership, there was a breathtaking start to the Derby della Madonnina. First Mati Fernandez put the ball over Inter's bar from six yards, then at the other end Icardi did the same following good work from Joao Mario on the left.
End to end stuff ensued with Samir Handanovic called into action following a Suso long ranger, then Gerard Deulofeu struck the post from an increasingly tight angle. Jose Sosa then made a lung bursting run from his own half, but indecision as to whether cross or have a shot saw the Milan midfielder loop the ball onto the roof of the net. Milan's main creative outlet was Deulofeu and his surging run into the box saw Handanovic knocked the ball away as he tried to go round the big Slovenian. The tempo slowed after a lightning start and Candreva rifled a long ranger over the bar, but moments later the former Lazio man got his goal. A lovely Roberto Gagliardini ball over the top was perfectly weighted and Candreva cooly volleyed past Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Inter the lead. It was almost number two seconds later as Icardi was inches away from poking home a Joao Mario low cross, but the Nerazzurri captain made amends just before the break. This time it was Ivan Perisic providing the ball and Icardi made no mistakes from three yards out. Candreva began the second half in a similar vein, fizzing a low shot wide of goal. It should have been three for the 'home' team as Icardi slid a ball across goal to Perisic, but the Croat could only fire straight at Donnarumma from just inside the penalty area.
As Inter looked to soak up pressure as the game wore on, Deulofeu forced an excellent save from Handanovic as he looked to place a shot into the far bottom corner.Clear cut chances become increasingly rare as Milan struggled to breakdown resolute Inter backline, though Handanovic did have a few shakey moments as the Rossoneri piled on the pressure. Then with seven minutes remaining Romagnoli stuck the ball into the Inter net after a fine assist from Suso. There was however, a fairytale comeback as Zapata knocked home a corner in what was the final kick of the match.
