Theo Hernandez was the hero for AC Milan as his late goal secured a vital three points away from home against Parma.
In a game which Stefano Pioli’s side dominated for large periods, wastefulness was once again the theme as several players missed big opportunities.
Just as it looked like being two points dropped though, Hernandez was the most alert to a rebound opportunity, slotting home after a Giacomo Bonaventura shot was parried to win the game in the 88th minute.
The result sees Milan move up to 11th in the league table, level on points with Torino in 10th and eight points away from Roma in the final European spot.
The Rossoneri had the first big chance of the game less than two minutes in as Krzysztof Piatek found Hakan Calhanoglu with a pull-back, but the Turkey international fired wide first time.
Calhanoglu was again involved moments later when the winger whipped in a short corner towards the far post, yet an unmarked Alessio Romagnoli could not direct his header on target from six yards.
Despite the away side dominating the ball in the opening stages, Parma served up a reminder of the threat they carry when Matteo Darmian was put in behind down Theo Hernandez’s side, though his teasing cross found nobody and was cleared.
Up at the other end, some nice link-up play saw Suso find Franck Kessie inside the area, but the Ivorian saw his first time effort well blocked.
Milan had two big chances around half way through the first half; the first coming from a low Kessie shot which was well saved, and then eventually the corner was recycled to Suso who crossed for Theo Hernandez who was unmarked at the far post but fired wide from point blank range.
Kessie was again the architect on the half hour mark as he picked out Piatek with a cross which the Poland international glanced wide of the far post.
The home side had a good opportunity to go in front two minutes later though as a well executed break saw Hernani played in behind, but the midfielder couldn’t find anyone with his chip.
Calhanoglu drew another save from Luigi Sepe similar to the one from the Kessie shot as Milan continued to dominate both in terms of possession and chances generated.
The Rossoneri spurned another good opportunity nine minutes before the break as Hernandez pulled the ball back to an onrushing Bonaventura, who took a shot first time but fired wide.
Gervinho thought he had wasted a huge chance to give Parma the lead in the opening stages of the second half as he saw his effort saved well by Donnarumma after going through one-on-one, though the offside flag was raised.
Milan had two penalty shouts rejected before the hour mark as Calhanoglu thought his shot had been blocked by an arm before moments later Bonaventura was shoved to the ground. Both were waved away.
Suso was inches away from giving the Diavolo a deserved lead in the 60th minute; the Spaniard finding space to drag a shot towards the far left corner which was narrowly wide.
The game became more and more scrappy, and Pioli made his first change as the once again disappointing Piatek made way for Rafael Leao.
The Rossoneri had a huge chance to take all three points with just over eight minutes left as Calhanoglu had space to shoot inside the area but twisted and turned one too many times before firing a weak effort that was easily saved.
Suso was the next to test Sepe, forcing the goalkeeper into a parried save from his 25-yard effort, though it was straight at the Parma stopper.
With just two minutes of normal time remaining, Milan got the goal they deserved. A shot from distance by Bonaventura was only flapped away by Sepe, and Theo Hernandez stole in to convert the rebound with a gorgeous outside-of-the-boot finish.
GOOOOAAAAALLLLL! THEO! pic.twitter.com/7hxgrlBVWC
— MilanGifs (@MilanGifs) December 1, 2019
