GOALLESS IN DORTMUND
Champions League
AC Milan failed to achieve lift-off in the Champions League again. After Newcastle, the Rossoneri drew 0-0 with Dortmund in Germany. The big regret today is that there were clearer-cut chances than in our opener. We should praise the defensive work and a second consecutive clean sheet in Europe, with Maignan, Thiaw and Tomori as alert and solid as ever. The team will, however, need to improve in the final third as they lacked that killer instinct tonight. It's a shame, of course, but still a draw against a top side, at a tricky ground, in a tough group. The Rossoneri looked better in the second half, in which they outclassed their opponents without making the pressure tell.
The standings after two games aren't bad but could certainly be better. Newcastle United now sit on top of Group F, a point ahead of PSG; AC Milan are on two and Dortmund on one. It's a quick turnaround now. Though our next European game is away at PSG on 25 October, we play newly-promoted Genoa at the Ferraris this Saturday at 21:00 CEST. It's a tricky prospect on Serie A matchday 8 ahead of the second international break of the season. We go again, with unity and strength.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM BORUSSIA DORTMUND v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
Under pressure, AC Milan started the game off with character and inside four minutes had already carved out a great opening: Reijnders set Pobega away, but as he moved into the 18-yard area his shot was blocked by Hummels. There was a scare on 6 minutes when Thiaw failed to clear a cross into the box and Malen almost took advantage in the box. The match was end-to-end, with both sides searching for the opener: on 16 minutes, Thiaw towered above everyone from a corner, but his header was weak and went over; on 21 minutes, Leão wasted a counter following a Hernández drive forward; and after 24 minutes, Bensebaini headed over from a free-kick. Borussia Dortmund found some momentum and threatened: midway through the half, Malen’s left-foot drive flashed just past the post, and on the half-hour mark, Füllkrug made Maignan work; in the 36th minute, Brandt attempted an overhead kick that sailed over. But the biggest chance fell to Giroud on 38 minutes: from a corner, Calabria headed the ball back into the centre of the box and at the second attempt Oli poked over from just a few yards out. But the half didn’t end there: Maignan denied Bensebaini’s well-struck shot and Musah perfectly timed his defensive block to stop Reus' attempt: Leão, Pobega and Hernández then caused havoc in a move that ended without finding the back of the net.
The Rossoneri came out of the traps fast and determined after the break. After some great link-up play between Hernández and Leão on the left-hand side, on the 54th minute it was Pulisic who had a clear-cut opportunity to make the first blow, but his right-foot shot on the turn was saved by Kobel. The match was still in the balance, with both teams jostling for possession and lacking a cutting edge. A triple change was made, with Adli, Florenzi and Okafor all coming on. It was the Gialloneri though who had a flurry of chances midway through the second half: Schlotterbeck’s effort was tame and Maignan saved easily, before on 75 minutes Bynoe-Gittens failed to hit the target. Then it was Pioli’s side to crank up the pressure: after 82 minutes, Hernández’s flying forward header went just over, and Chukwueze curled one just past the far post on 85 minutes. Samu then spurned another great chance a minute later when – being played in by Leão and finding himself free in front of goal – shot straight at Kobel, before Reijnders put the rebound wide. It was a chaotic end to the game that eventually saw no goals: it ended 0-0.
MATCH DETAILS
BORUSSIA DORTMUND 0-0 AC MILAN
BORUSSIA DORTMUND (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Emre Can, Özcan; Brandt (64' Adeyemi), Reus (72' Nmecha), Malen (72' Bynoe-Gittens); Füllkrug (85' Moukoko). Subs: Lotka, Meyer; Süle, Wolf; Reyna; Haller. Coach: Terzić.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria (69' Florenzi), Thiaw, Tomori, Hernández; Musah, Reijnders, Pobega (58' Adli); Pulisic (69' Chukwueze), Giroud (69' Okafor), Leão. Subs: Mirante, Sportiello; Bartesaghi, Kjær; Jović. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL).
Booked: 19' Schlotterbeck (BD), 23' Reijnders (M), 25' Emre Can (BD), 81' Hummels (BD), 87' Musah (M).
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