PSG BEATEN TO GET FIRST WIN IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 23/24
Champions League
A vintage AC Milan performance was needed and a vintage AC Milan performance we got. On the most important night of the season so far, the Rossoneri blew the roof off a sold-out San Siro with a stunning victory. The Rossoneri came from behind to beat PSG 2-1 with great goals from Rafa Leão and Olivier Giroud to cancel out and then overturn Škriniar's opener. It was an emotional night and an intense 90 minutes plus of football that saw the Rossoneri put themselves right back in the mix in their Champions League group. Now, our destiny is all in our own hands as we go into the final two group-stage games, against Dortmund and Newcastle. With two wins, we're guaranteed to go through...
There will be plenty of time to mull over the future. Now, what matters is the memories of a fantastic night, with pride and personality on full display. Brilliant goals from Leão - bicycle kick - and Giroud, a towering header. The grit and determination of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was tireless and powerful in midfield. The dedication and sacrifice of captain Calabria in containing Kylian Mbappé. But every one of the Rossoneri, to a man, whether on the pitch, in the dugout or in the stands, deserves a massive round of applause for their part in this vital victory. It's certainly a night to remember as we go into our upcoming matches, starting with the trip to Lecce on Saturday afternoon. Forza Milan!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v PSG
MATCH REPORT
The game started off with a high intensity, and the first chance came to us inside six minutes through Loftus-Cheek’s left-footed strike that flew just over the bar. Maignan had to be alert to keep out Mbappé’s effort in the 8th minute, but just a minute later PSG broke the deadlock through Škriniar’s header following a corner-kick. We hit back immediately, though, finding the equaliser (after Musah had shot too centrally just prior) on twelve minutes: Loftus-Cheek broke away quickly, fed Giroud but his left-foot shot was saved and on the rebound Leão acrobatically turned it home with a delightful bicycle kick to send San Siro wild. The game remained entertaining despite the number of chances declining somewhat. Two in quick succession did come about, though, after 27 minutes: first Dembélé hit the bar with a left-footed curler from the edge of the box, and then on the break Giroud’s attempt hit the side netting from a tight angle. Just after the half-hour mark, Tomori hit a lovely free-kick that Donnarumma palmed away, while on 37' it was Leão again who cut inside from the left, but his shot went just wide at the near post. The opening 45 ended with two saves by Maignan from Dembélé and Vitinha.
We started off the stronger after the break, and took the lead in the 50th minute: Theo’s cross was perfectly met by Giroud, who rose above Škriniar to power home his header from close range to make it 2-1. There was bedlam around San Siro as PSG tried to play some different cards by making several changes. But it was AC Milan who came close to scoring again through Theo’s superb free-kick from distance on 63 minutes, which was once again saved by Donnarumma. Maignan kept the backdoor shut from Mbappé on 69', but the visitors’ chances were few and far between thanks to an attentive and cohesive defensive unit. It was us, again, who nearly extended the lead with Okafor going close to a third, just seconds after coming on as a sub, but he found a diving Donnarumma to keep him out on 85 minutes. The final stages saw the kitchen sink being thrown by PSG. A minute before the end of normal time, Lee cut inside into the box and struck the post with a left-footed effort. Seven minutes of injury-time agonisingly tickled by, but very little action happened to worry the Rossoneri apart from Ramos’ header that fell just wide. At the full-time whistle, it ended 2-1 for AC Milan!
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 2-1 PSG
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, T. Hernández; Loftus-Cheek, Musah (84' Krunić), Reijnders; Pulisic (90'+2 Florenzi), Giroud, Leão (84' Okafor). Subs: Mirante, Nava; Bartesaghi; Adli, Pobega; Chukwueze, Jović. Coach: Pioli.
PSG (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Škriniar (89' Barcola), L. Hernández (66' Mukiele); Zaïre-Emery, Ugarte (60' Fabián Ruiz), Vitinha (60' Lee); Dembélé, Kolo Muani (60' Ramos), Mbappé. Subs: Letellier, Tenas; Soler. Coach: Luis Enrique.
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP).
Goals: 9' Škriniar (P), 12' Leão (M), 50' Giroud (M).
Booked: 24' Vitinha (P), 43' Ugarte (P), 55' L. Hernández (P), 66' Musah (M), 80' Škriniar (P).
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