IVAN PERISIC scored an equalizer in stoppage time to rescue a point for Inter Milan in an entertaining 2-2 derby draw against city rival AC Milan on Sunday.

    Suso had scored twice for Milan, which looked set to move to second place in Serie A before Perisic’s last-gasp strike. Antonio Candreva netted Inter’s other goal.

    Milan remained third, behind Roma on goal difference, and seven points behind league leader Juventus, which beat Pescara 3-0 Saturday. Inter moved ninth.

    “It’s disappointing to concede in the last second, but the lads should be happy for what they did tonight,” Milan coach Vincenzo Montella said.

    “They might have a little trouble sleeping but they shouldn’t. Seeing our opponents, a team which is built to win the title, leaving the pitch as if they’d won the game gives us a little bit of satisfaction.”

    This was likely to be Silvio Berlusconi’s final derby as Milan’s owner and the Rossoneri fans paid tribute in their pre-match choreography, unveiling a giant banner with a picture of him and all the trophies won during his tenure.

    Berlusconi, who purchased the club 30 years ago, is expected to close a deal next month that will see his majority stake go to a group of Chinese investors that includes a Chinese state investment fund.

    It was also a first derby for Inter’s new Chinese owners, as well as Stefano Pioli’s debut as the team’s coach after replacing the sacked Frank de Boer just before the international break.

    “I saw a lot of positive things, definitely the attitude, the desire, the determination, the character,” Pioli said.

    Inter had lost six of its past 10 matches in all competitions.

    (SD-Agencies)