Parma Vs. Milan: final score 1-1 as Parma grab a deserved point

If you were able to turn away from the madness that was Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, you likely watched a decent match play out between Parma and AC Milan in Italy. It would have been easy to turn away in the first twenty minutes, when the persistent rain put a damper on the action. But, for the last hour at least, the match was an entertaining duel as both sides pressed for all three points. In the end, though, each had to settle for just one, with a final score of 1-1.

The two sides went into the second half without a goal. But it wouldn't stay that way for long. Stephan El Shaarawy, marvelous throughout the match, turned up the pace to blast through the offside trap. He then nutmegged Antonio Mirante to slide the ball into the opposing net. Will this teach Massimiliano Allegri that a 4-3-3 is really the best formation for Milan at the moment?

Perhaps not, as the rossoneri barely held the lead for fifteen minutes. Riccardo Montolivo, on for Massimo Ambrosini -- and apparently learning from the captain -- took out Sotiris Ninis, giving Parma a free kick in that dreaded "dangerous position". Daniele Galloppa took advantage, blasting the kick through the wall. The ball looked as though it took a deflection off Nigel de Jong, swerving enough to confuse Christian Abbiati and give Parma their equaliser.

Montolivo did his best to make up for conceding that free kick, taking his own impressive one just minutes before the whistle. But Mirante was able to get a touch, pushing it around the post to preserve a point for Parma.

For an in-depth look at the Rossoneri, visit AC Milan Offside