By DPA
Milan : European champions AC Milan took home a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Siena thanks to a goal from their defence mainstay Alessandro Nesta.
The game opened the third round of the Italian Serie A Saturday and Milan looked to be saving energy for their UEFA Champions League opener Tuesday against Portugal side Benfica, as they started without Massimo Oddo, Andrea Pirlo and Brazilian Kaka, who played with their national teams in mid-week.
The visitors managed a brisk start that produced two good chances in the first 15 minutes through Alberto Gilardino and Frenchman Yohann Gourcuff.
Siena’s action gathered steam gradually, producing a first good chance on 13 minutes as Daniele Galloppa left two defenders standing in the area but had his shot well deflected by Dida.
The home crowd at the Artemio Franchi Stadium went wild after 24 minutes when Massimo Maccarone tapped the ball home, favoured by an uncertain save from Dida and a worse clearance by Kakha Kaladze.
The Tuscany hosts almost doubled up on 33 minutes when Galloppa set up Paolo De Ceglie for a drive that flew wide by the far post, one minute before a Clarence Seedorf lob forced a great save from Siena’s Greek keeper Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos.
Milan seemed to lack the energy to equalise in the second half but on 72 minutes Siena had to thank Czech midfielder Lucas Jarolim for clearing from the line a Massimo Ambrosini flick off a goalmouth scramble.
Ten minutes later, Seedorf came close, missing the goal by a hairsbreadth as he fired a fast free kick from the edge of the box.
The Dutchman fired another fierce shot against the bar in injury time, shortly after Nesta slammed home a loose ball following a corner kick.
The draw gives Milan five points from three games, while front-runners Juventus and Roma, both on six points, play their respective games at home to Udinese and at Reggina Sunday, when holders Inter Milan welcome Catania.
In the only other Saturday action, Lazio moved onto three points through a dismal goalless draw against one-point guests Empoli. The Rome side play a Champions League match Tuesday at Olympiakos.