AC MILAN DRAW WITH FC SALZBURG IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OPENER
Champions League
AC Milan were held to a draw in their first game of the Champions League group stage. Saelemaekers' goal at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg cancelled out Okafor's opener. The Rossoneri were today faced with an aggressive opponent from minute one and were left disappointed after Rafa Leão struck the post deep into injury time. An even first half gave way to a challenging second 45, with both sides looking tired - the Rossoneri especially looked fatigued from Saturday's massive effort in the derby.
Alexis Saelemaekers - who scored his first-ever Champions League goal - was the only change made by Stefano Pioli to the eleven that started against Inter at the weekend. Sergiño Dest came on in the second half to make his AC Milan debut, while Tommaso Pobega made his first start in a European fixture. In the other game in group E, Chelsea last 1-0 away at Dinamo Zagreb (Oršić with the goal). The Croatian side are the Rossoneri's next opponents in the Champions League, but first, we have a trip to Genoa to take on Sampdoria on Saturday evening.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM FC SALZBURG V AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
It was a fast start from FC Salzburg, who tried to catch AC Milan cold, but Capaldo’s attempts in the opening minute of the game failed to worry Maignan. The Rossoneri replied with two chances of their own soon after but Calabria shot weakly from the edge of the area, while Giroud's attempt was straight at the keeper from a tight angle. AC Milan took control of possession but after 28 minutes it was the Austrian side who went ahead. Fernando surprised Bennacer, stealing possession off him, and put in Okafor, who rided Kalulu’s challenge and struck home past Maignan. But despite FC Salzburg looking tight and compact at the back, AC Milan found the equaliser on the 40th minute mark. Bennacer played in Leão, who looked up and crossed for Saelemaekers with the Belgian coolly slotting home with his left foot from the middle of the area. All square at 1-1 as the two teams went into the break.
It was again the home side who had the early chances after the restart, both through Fernando. The Brazilian on 53 minutes shot well over from a good position and soon later his attempt from the edge of the box was hit weakly. On 62 minutes, it was the Austrians again who came closest with Seiwald’s long distance right-footed shot well saved by Maignan. One minute later, a free-kick by Ulmer was put out by Origi for a corner. Then, AC Milan run the changes to try and turn the tide of the game. On 63 minutes, Pobega on his left foot failed to hit the target whilst Origi on 84 minutes set up Brahim, but Köhn anticpated well to come out and collect the ball. The home side were happy to sit back in the closing stages of the game with the Rossoneri camped in their opponents half unable to find the right pass in the final third. Both teams could have won it with good chances at the death. On 88 minutes, Šeško tried his luck from the edge of the box before Leão hit the post with a right-footed that shot, that had deflected off Bernardo. It ended 1-1.
MATCH DETAILS
FC SALZBURG 1-1 AC MILAN
FC SALZBURG (4-3-1-2): Köhn; Dedić, Solet (42' Bernardo), Ulmer; Capaldo, Seiwald, Kjærgaard; Kameri (65' Gourna-Douath); Okafor (92' Adamu), Fernando (65' Šeško). Subs.: Mantl, Walke; Baidoo, Van Der Brempt; Diarra; Šeško, Šimić. Coach: Jaissle.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (57' Dest), Kalulu, Tomori, Hernández; Bennacer (57' Pobega), Tonali; Saelemaekers (80' Messias), De Ketelaere (70' Díaz), Leão; Giroud (57' Origi). Subs.: Jungdal, Mirante; Ballo-Touré, Gabbia, Kjær. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Srđan Jovanović (SRB).
Goals: 28' Okafor (S), 40' Saelemaekers (M).
Booked: 17' Capaldo (S), 38' Tomori (M), 44' Calabria (M), 68' Gourna-Douath (S), 89' Díaz (M), 91' Origi (M).
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