AC Milan come from behind to earn draw in Salzburg as Italians get off to slow start in Champions League

AC Milan were forced to come from behind in Austria as they opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-1 draw against RB Salzburg. The seven-time European champions had Alexis Saelemaekers to thank for a thumping finish as they picked up a point, despite being largely wasteful in front of goal. Ad Rafael Leao was inches away from winning at the death, but the Milan winger's stoppage-time strike was deflected off the post.

Serie ALeao stunner wins five-goal thriller in frantic Milan derby03/09/2022 AT 15:05 The opening exchanges were end-to-end, but both sides struggled with their final ball and therefore spurned numerous attacks from promising positions. The only real chance fell to the visitors, as Olivier Giroud got around the back of the defence, only to shoot straight at the goalkeeper from a tight angle. Salzburg eventually took the lead on 28-minutes when Fernando stole the ball from the Milan back line and passed to strike partner Noah Okafor, who nutmegged Pierre Kalulu before firing under Mike Maignan.

Champions League tables Champions League fixtures/results Champions League top scorers That advantage had been wiped out by half-time though, as Saelemaekers hammered into the back of the net from Rafael Leao’s pass. Salzburg should have re-taken the lead straight after the break, but Fernando could not find the target when blazing over from close range after good build-up play involving Okafor and Maurits Kjaergaard. That proved to be one of very few chances for Matthias Jaissle’s side, though, as they largely allowed their visitors to do the running.