VICTORY IN THE UCL: 3‑1 OVER CLUB BRUGGE
Champions League
It was a great night for AC Milan, who recorded their first win in the Champions League this season. The Rossoneri, in their Third Kit tonight, beat Club Brugge 3-1 and relaunched their bid to make it to the knock-out rounds. It was far from an easy game; the Belgian side were tough and equalised at the start of the second half, despite being a man down. Christian Pulisic had given the hosts the lead directly from a corner. An inspired Tijjani Reijnders scored a second-half brace to win it, with both assists coming from substitutes Okafor and Chukwueze.
There were many good performances at San Siro tonight. As well as the two goalscorers, we have to mention Mike Maignan, who made a few massive saves early in the game. It's also impossible not to mention a Champions League debut for Francesco Camarda, who even hit the back of the net (disallowed for offside) with his first touch. A round of applause for everyone, though, because the three points were a result of a convincing performance, which confirmed the forward progress made against Udinese. We now need to recover our energy quickly because the fixtures are coming thick and fast; on Saturday evening, we will take on Bologna away. Forza Milan!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v CLUB BRUGGE
MATCH REPORT
Intensity right from the start. Maignan was called into action to stop an attempt from Tzolīs in the 2nd minute, and Jutglà shot high not long later. We responded through Leão who had no luck in either of his attempts. In the 7th minute, Mike stretched to deny Tzolīs again. Following the resulting corner, Ordóñez smacked the crossbar. We picked up the pace on the ball and Fofana had a go in the 15th minute, his grasscutter went out just wide. More build-up play from Leão in the 28th minute, the ball fell for Pulisic who was stopped by Mignolet. In the 33rd minute, Theo and Leão did well to play off each other, but Ordóñez did well to block the Frenchman's shot. Not bad, as we then made it 1-0 from the corner: and it was an exceptional goal, floated straight in from the corner flag by Pulisic as Gabbia didn't quite meet it at the crossbar. And in the 40th minute, we were left with a numerical advantage as Onyedika's tackle on Reijnders was punished with a straight red.
Things got back underway with Leão’s ball for Theo, who shot just high. Club Brugge went level in the 51st minute as a shot from Sabbe flew past Maignan. We had another go with Theo, but nothing came of his attempt in the 57th minute. Coach Fonseca tried to change things up with the substitutions, and it paid off almost immediately: it all started from Okafor, who came off the bench, as Reijnders made it 2-1 from inside the box on Noah's assist. In the 65th minute, Theo's corner led to an opposition defender hitting the post, but the Rossoneri insistence came to fruition in the 71st minute. And it was Reijnders again to have San Siro explode, this time assisted by Chukwueze. In the last 15 minutes, Musah and Camarda entered the pitch. Tears of joy from the stands in the 87th minute as Camarda headed home, but the goal was ruled out for offside. So, we played out the remaining minutes before the final whistle.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 3-1 CLUB BRUGGE
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; E. Royal, Gabbia (82' Thiaw), Tomori, Hernández; Fofana (75' Musah), Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek (60' Okafor), Leão (60' Chukwueze); Morata (75' Camarda). Subs: Sportiello, Torriani; Pavlović, Terracciano; Zeroli. Coach: Fonseca.
CLUB BRUGGE (4-3-3): Mignolet; Seys (46' Sabbe), Mechele, Ordóñez, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Onyedika, Jashari (83' Nielsen); Talbi (46' Vetlesen), Jutglà (70' Skóraś), Tzolīs (70' Skov Olsen). Subs: Jackers; Romero, Spileers; Nielsen; Vermant. Coach: Hayen.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany).
Goals: 34' Pulisic (M), 51' Sabbe (CB), 61' and 71' Reijnders (M).
Booked: 20' Seys (CB), 23' Jashari (CB), 50' Leão (M), 59' Morata (M), 71' Gabbia (M), 74' Skóraś (CB), 88' Camarda (M).
Sent-off: 40' Onyedika (CB).
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