Christopher Nkunku scored a late penalty to rescue AC Milan from defeat as they earned a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan in a subdued pre-season derby played in Perth on Wednesday.

A crowd of 52,310 spectators watched the Italian rivals face off, with Serie A champions Inter Milan taking the lead early in the second half. Federico Dimarco found the net in the 52nd minute, finishing from close range to put Inter in control.

Milan responded late in the contest when Carlos Augusto fouled Nkunku inside the penalty area in the 83rd minute. The French forward calmly converted the resulting spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to level the score.

The draw means new AC Milan head coach Ruben Amorim is still searching for his first victory in charge. His tenure began with a 2-2 pre-season draw against Celtic in Glasgow, and Milan remain winless under the Portuguese manager.

Amorim, who left Manchester United in January, was appointed to revive Milan after the club failed to secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League last season. While his side avoided defeat in Perth, their mistake-filled display suggested there is still significant work to do before the new campaign begins.

AC Milan also received a positive boost with veteran midfielder Luka Modric making his first appearance since signing a one-year contract extension. The Croatian played the final 30 minutes and looked comfortable as he continued his preparations for the new campaign.

“It was nice to get some minutes under the belt and I felt good,” Modric said.

“It’s good to have these kinds of games to prepare for the season.

“I think we did a lot of good things and hopefully we can just improve.”

The pre-season derby also carried an emotional significance for AC Milan following the passing of club legend Franco Baresi, who captained the Rossoneri throughout one of the most successful periods in their history during the 1980s and 1990s.

Before kick-off, players from both AC Milan and Inter Milan linked arms as the stadium observed a minute’s silence in tribute to the iconic former captain.

Luka Modric began the match among the substitutes, much to the disappointment of the large crowd, although the experienced Croatian was warmly applauded during the pre-match warm-up.

AC Milan made the brighter start, with teenage midfielder Alphadjo Cisse and winger Samuel Chukwueze—who has been linked with a potential move away from the club—causing problems for the Inter defence.

The Rossoneri came close to taking the lead in the 18th minute when American midfielder Yunus Musah unleashed a powerful effort that struck the left post, denying Milan an early breakthrough.

Inter gradually grew into the contest and controlled much of the possession as the tempo slowed before the half-time whistle.

Both managers made several substitutions after the break, and the game became more open. Inter capitalised in the 52nd minute when Federico Dimarco punished hesitant AC Milan defending to put the Serie A champions ahead.

Modric was introduced in the 62nd minute to a standing ovation from the Perth crowd, but Milan struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the second half.

The Rossoneri looked destined for defeat until Christopher Nkunku kept his composure from the penalty spot late in the match to secure a 1-1 draw.

AC Milan will continue their pre-season preparations against Chelsea in Jakarta on Saturday, while Inter Milan, who defeated Manchester City in a penalty shootout in Hong Kong last weekend, will remain in Perth to face Juventus on the same day.