HIGUAIN GIVES ROSSONERI THE WIN IN UEL OPENER
Europa League
Milan needed a win to kick-start their Europa League campaign and the win came. Rossoneri edge past Dudelange at the Josy Barthel in what has been a tough game for Gattuso's men who faced a well-organised team that defended well and closed down all the space. In the second half, it was Higuain to come to the rescue scoring the goal that broke the deadlock. Milan up the tempo and create more chances to make it two, denied by a stunning display from Dudelange's keeper Frising. Good marks also for Bakayoko and Castillejo who delivered the winning assist and Mattia Caldara who made his debut in the Red and Black with an attentive game in defence and a good chance to score with a header that ended just high. Now it's time to focus on Serie A once again with the Rossoneri hosting Atalanta Sunday at the San Siro (KO 6:00pm).
SEE THE BEST IMAGES FROM DUDELANGE 0-1 AC MILAN
THE MATCH REPORT
Dudelange are off to a very aggressive start but it's Gattuso's side to go close first: Higuain fires from the edge of the box with the ball ending just wide. Rossoneri create another chance through Bakayoko who fails to beat Frising from the heart of the area. The home team fight back through Stolz, who fires wide. Milan up the tempo and find more space. Laxalt runs down the left flank in the 50' and finds Higuain who is denied by a terrific save from the home keeper. El Pipita doesn't have to wait much as only 9 minutes later finds the back of the net well assisted by Castillejo: it's 1-0. Dudelange ease the pressure and the boys in the Red and Black go close to making it two: Borini hits the post in the 68th minute and Higuain is denied by Frising once again before the ref blows the finals whistle and AC Milan take home their first three points in the 2018/19 Europa League.
DUDELANGE 0-1 MILAN
DUDELANGE (4-4-2): Frising; Malget (84' Jordanov), Schnell, Prempeh, El Hriti (80' Melisse), Stolz, Couturier, Stelvio (75' Stumpf), Kruska; Turpel, Sinani. Subs: Pokar, Bonnefoi, Jensen, Perez. Coach:Toppmoller.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Reina; Abate, Caldara, Romagnoli, Laxalt; Bakayoko, Mauri (80' Calhanoglu), Bertolacci (70' Kessie); Castillejo, Higuain, Borini (87' Halilovic). Subs: Donnarumma G., Calabria, Zapata, Biglia. Coach: Gattuso.
Referee: Srdjan Jovanovic (Serbia).
Goal: 59' Higuain (M).
Booked: 12' Abate (M), 39' Romagnoli (M), 56' Prempeh (D), 58' Malget (D).
