Hakan Calhanoglu equaliser earns AC Milan point at Fiorentina

Posted Saturday, December 30, 2017 by PA

Hakan Calhanoglu spared AC Milan from ending the year with a defeat by scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina.

Giovanni Simeone's second-half header set Gennaro Gattuso's Milan on a course to lose their third straight Serie A match but Turkey international Calhanoglu acted quickly to spare their blushes.

Fiorentina enjoyed the best early chances, with Jordan Veretout shooting over in the 19th minute.

As half-time approached La Viola were unlucky not to score, as 18-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma - making his 100th appearance for Milan - got a knee to Simeone's goalbound effort.

In stoppage time Cristiano Biraghi's cross found Gil Dias, whose header clattered the crossbar.

There was no respite for Donnarumma following the break as Milan Badelj soon tested the teenage stopper with a swerving left-footed drive.

Suso then carved out Milan's first opportunity, the Spaniard curling against Marco Sportiello's palm, but the tide was not turning and Fiorentina were about to break through.

In the 71st minute Simeone got his head to Biraghi's precise cross to spark celebrations among the Florentines.

They were short-lived, though, as Calhanoglu promptly levelled. Suso's attempt was saved but his Turkish team-mate was on hand to sweep home the ball.