European roundup: Milan move point clear at top after draw with Bologna
Even a bloodied Zlatan Ibrahimovic could not rescue Serie A leaders Milan as they were held to a goalless draw by Bologna.
Milan, who had won each of their last three games 1-0, could not repeat the feat despite launching a late flurry as the visitors, addressed via video link in the run-up to the game by coach Sinisa Mihajlovic from his hospital bed as he undergoes another round of treatment for leukaemia, held firm at the San Siro.
After an enterprising start by Bologna, Milan flexed their muscles with Rafael Leão, Olivier Giroud and Brahim Diaz all going close, but it took a fine save by Mike Maignan from Musa Barrow’s 26th-minute piledriver to prevent Mihajlovic’s men from taking the lead.
Davide Calabria fired wastefully over and Theo Hernández just wide as the home side responded, and Lukasz Skorupski produced a fine save in firsthalf stoppage time to keep out Giroud’s powerful header.
Calabria shot across the face of goal and the substitute Ante Rebic blazed over on the half-volley as the home side became increasingly desperate, prompting the introduction of 40-yearold Ibrahimovic with 20 minutes remaining.
The Sweden international and Bologna skipper Gary Medel ended the game in bandages after a clash of heads, and although Ibrahimovic headed just over and Skorupski saved from Rebic in stoppage time, the visitors scrapped their way to a creditable draw with left Milan a point clear of second-placed Napoli.
Giovanni Simeone’s early goal was enough to end Verona’s three-game wait for a victory in a hard-fought encounter with Genoa. The home side got off to the perfect start with just five minutes gone when defender Johan Vásquez failed to prevent Simeone from toe-poking home from close range.
Substitute Roberto Piccoli should have levelled for the visitors with 21 minutes remaining, but mishit his attempt and allowed midfielder Darko Lazovic to stab clear.
In La Liga, Alexander Isak converted a last-gasp penalty to hand Real Sociedad a 1-0 win over Espanyol. The frontman struck in the sixth minute of added time after substitute Mikel Merino had been fouled by Fernando Calero.