Balotelli rues misses in Milan derby

Derby ... Mario Balotelli surges ahead for AC Milan. Source: Giuseppe Cacace / AAP

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli missed a handful of chances in his first derby in more than three years as the Rossoneri shared the spoils Sunday in a 1-1 derby draw with hosts Inter Milan.

Milan took a 21st-minute lead through striker Stephan El Shaarawy and dominated throughout before ultimately lamenting their earlier misses when Inter midfielder Ezequiel Schelotto levelled in the 71st minute.

Inter were given a pre-match boost with the inclusion of central defender Andrea Ranocchia, who had been an injury doubt all week.

Yet despite Milan's 1-0 defeat to the Nerazzurri at the San Siro earlier in the campaign, the visitors started the second 'Derby della Madonnina' as firm favourites having stunned Barcelona 2-0 in their Champions League first leg last week and climbing up to third place on the table.

Milan enjoyed the share of the early chances with Sulley Muntari and Mattia De Sciglio testing Samir Handanovic, while Inter striker Antonio Cassano had a lame shot easily collected by Christian Abbiati.

However, the visitors spurned the first of several clear chances, Balotelli slipping in front of goal after Kevin Prince Boateng had left Mattia De Sciglio's cross from the left wing at his feet.

At the other end, forward Rodrigo Palacio should have done better with an angled strike that went well side of Abbiati's far post.

Also on Sunday, Roma beat Atalanta 3-2, Cagliari downed Torino 4-3, Catania accounted for Parma 2-1, Juventus thrashed Siena 3-0 and Sampdoria defeated Chievo 2-0.

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