Torres fails to inspire Milan away to Cesena

Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi shook up his formation for the trip to Cesena, with Fernando Torres preferred as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 designed to get the Rossoneri back on the winning trail after last week’s draw away to promoted Empoli.

But despite showing glimpses of promise, the visitors — reduced to 10 men on 73 minutes when Cristian Zapata saw red — failed to spark.

Cesena grabbed an early opener when Christian Abbiati spilled a simple Guido Marilungo shot and Davide Succi pounced to tap home from close range.

Milan pulled level nine minutes later when Adil Rami rose to head past well beaten ‘keeper Nicola Leali.

Torres was replaced by Giampaolo Pazzini on 70 minutes and Zapata was given his marching orders three minutes later for a foul on Gregoire Defrel.

Elsewhere, Senegalese striker Khouma Babacar rescued a share of the points for struggling Fiorentina in a 1-1 draw at Torino, who had taken a 62nd minute lead through Fabio Quagliarella.

Jose Callejon’s first-half strike helped struggling Napoli to only their second win to ease the pressure on under-fire coach Rafael Benitez.

Later Sunday Genoa host Sampdoria in the Genoa derby.