Catania took the lead through Jorge Martinez on 25 minutes but Kaka, Milan's only danger man all game, equalised from the penalty spot just three minutes into the second-half. However the Rossoneri failed to find the winner and are now seven points behind league leaders Inter.
Milan went into this game desperate to end their run of four league games without a win, while Catania were looking to build on their midweek victory over Empoli.
Carlo Ancelotti was still without the services of the injured Paolo Maldini and Serginho, while Zeljko Kalac continued to deputise for Dida, who had a shoulder problem. Alessandro Nesta, Marek Jankulovski and Massimo Oddo were rested, and replaced by Daniele Bonera, Giuseppe Favalli and Cafu. Up front Filippo Inzaghi was given the nod over the under-fire Alberto Gilardino.
Catania boss Silvio Baldini was still banished from the dugout after his kick on Parma boss Domenico Di Carlo in week one. The Rossazzurri fielded just one change from the team who beat Empoli, with Marco Biagianti coming in for the suspended Giacomo Tedesco. Ezequiel Llama and Gianluca Falsini miss out again due to injury.
The first attempt of the game was on eight minutes when Massimo Ambrosini hit a left-foot volley from long-range but it was well wide. Soon after Clarence Seedorf blazed a powerful free-kick handsomely over. On 10 minutes Brazilian superstar Kaka missed a glorious chance to put Milan ahead but after going on a mesmerising solo run, he scuffed his shot wide with just the keeper to beat.
Milan were dominating the early stages in terms of possession but, despite playing long periods of the game in the opposition half, were finding it difficult to fashion any real openings against a well-organised Catania outfit.
Catania then sensationally took the lead on 26 minutes after a rare counter-attack. Giuseppe Mascara played a delightful through-ball to Gionatha Spinesi. After seeing his initial effort saved by Kalac the striker composed himself and crossed for Jorge Martinez to head home.
Milan thought they had claimed an immediate equaliser just moments later. Pirlo curled a superb free-kick onto the bar and Inzaghi turned in the rebound but the effort was ruled out for a handball against Kaladze. On 35 minutes the Sicilians had another lucky escape. A cross from the left found Cafu and the Brazilian's snapshot was deflected inches wide of the far post by Christian Terlizzi.
As the half wore on the frustration of the Milan players began to grow and Kaka was shown a yellow card after a foul. Catania were defending superbly and the only threat for Ciro Polito's goal seemed to be coming from Andrea Pirlo's set-pieces. However in stoppage time at the end of the half, Inzaghi should have drawn Milan level. The ex-Juve man was all alone six yards out but could not direct a Massimo Ambrosini cross into the net.
Ancelotti made two changes at half-time, bringing Gilardino on for Ambrosini and going two up-front. Massimo Oddo also replaced the ineffectual Cafu. Within two minutes of the second-half Milan were level thanks to a penalty from Kaka. Favalli's cross from the left hit Edusei's arm as he slid on the floor and the referee awarded a spot-kick. The Catania players were furious with the decision but Kaka sent Polito the wrong way and Milan were back on level terms.
Just minutes later Kaka unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot from 30 yards that finished just over. The Brazilian decided to take the game by the scruff of the neck and after throwing a couple of bamboozling dummies on the edge of the box, forced Polito into a smart save around the post.
However Catania were still dangerous on the counter-attack and a smart run and cross down the right by Spinesi caused all kinds of problems in the Milan box. Mascara then wastefully blasted the ball over from the edge of the area.
Despite their possession Milan were still finding it difficult to craft any clear-cut openings and Gilardino had been completely anonymous since coming on at half-time. The ex-Parma striker was still the subject of boos and jeers from the Milan tifosi the few times he did touch the ball.
Milan were looking tired and devoid of ideas and the Catania defence was coping comfortably with everything the Rossoneri had to offer. Andrea Pirlo's free-kicks were still dangerous though and the midfielder curled another excellent effort over the wall but unfortunately straight at Polito. On 85 minutes another long-range effort from the midfielder drifted harmlessly wide.
As time was running out the European Champions became more and more desperate and Inzaghi was booked for diving in the penalty area. Rino Gattuso took out his frustration on Biagianti in stoppage time as Catania comfortably held on for a thoroughly deserved point.
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