CUTRONE'S GOAL COMES TOO LATE: AC MILAN 1‑2 REAL BETIS

Another round of the Europa League for AC Milan who play at home against Real Betis. Gattuso’s boys faced a rugged Spanish team and tried to leave their mark with Higuain in the first half: one on one against the keeper but failed to shoot in time and Cutrone in the second half with a late goal. The Rossoneri were not able to clinch a second goal in time to make it a draw, which leaves them in second place with 6 points (just 1 point behind Betis) and will now play the same spaniards away at their home ground in the return leg of the tournament. Now it is time to regroup and prepare for Sunday’s match against Sampdoria in the championship, a chance to reboot from today’s unfortunate defeat.

RELIVE AC MILAN VS REAL BETIS PLAY BY PLAY

MATCH REPORT

First half dominated by Real Betis, in the 3rd minute a mistake by Reina who tries to kick the ball away favours Sanabria who shoots wide. In the 15th minute, Laxalt pulls away from the defence and crosses, Bakayoko tries to place his shot but his right-footer is rebounded. In the 30th, the spaniards take the lead: Lo Celso puts the ball in the middle, Reina and Romagnoli fail to intercept and Sanabria slots the ball into an empty net. At the 34th (goal cancelled for offside) and 38th minute (inaccurate shot in the middle of the box) the same number 9 of Betis is still a danger. Rossoneri in difficulty but one step away from making it even in the 45th minute when Higuain finds himself alone in front of López, he chooses to dribble but then fails to shoot on time and is blocked by the Spanish defence.

At the beginning of the second half the opponents were back in attack in the 54th minute: another goal: stunning left-footed shot outside the box by Lo Celso who finds the edge of the net. The second half provided more chances for the Rossoneri who found the edge of the post with Castillejo’s sizzler in the 73rd minute. As the boys mounted more pressure, they found a late goal with Cutrone in the 83rd minute but were unable to clinch a second in time notwithstanding 6 minutes of stoppage time. In the dying minutes, Castillejo, was sent off for a tackle which rounded up the unfortunate night for our boys. Now it is back to the championship to face Sampdoria on Sunday 28th October to bounce back.

WATCH NOW: THE BEST IMAGES FROM AC MILAN VS REAL BETIS

MATCH IN DETAILS

AC MILAN 1- 2 REAL BETIS

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Reina; Calabria, Zapata, Romagnoli, Laxalt; Bakayoko (46' Suso), Biglia (80' Bertolacci), Bonaventura; Castillejo, Higuain, Borini (46' Cutrone). Available: Donnarumma G .; Caldara, Rodriguez; Mauri. Coach: Gennaro Gattuso.

REAL BETIS (3-5-2): López; Mandi, Bartra, Sidnei; Barragán, Lo Celso, William Carvalho (91' Feddal), Canales, Junior; Sergio León (67' Tello), Sanabria (74' Loren). Available: Robles; Boudebouz, Inui, Kaptoum. Coach: Quique Setién.

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands).
Goals: 30 'Sanabria (RB), 55' Lo Celso (RB), 83' Cutrone (M).
Booked: 31' Romagnoli (M), 46' Higuain (M), 47' Canales (RB), 80' Lo Celso (RB), 86' López (RB).
Sent Off: 90' + 4' Castillejo (M).

The new official PUMA match kits for the 2018/19 season are available in the AC Milan Online Store!