SUSO EARNS US A POINT IN SEVILLE

It is back to Europa League action for the Rossoneri in matchday four of Group F. Coach Gattuso and his men look to bounce back from the San Siro defeat against the Andalusians in the home leg played at the San Siro stadium. AC Milan present a 3-5-2 formation for this crucial game against Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, with Zapata as captain. The game initially starts with AC Milan controlling the game but they fall behind with Lo Celso’s left-footed volley. Gattuso’s boys try to even the score in the first half but are unable to find the right pass for Cutrone isolated up front. The second half starts better for AC Milan as Suso scores a well-taken free kick and evens the score. No further goals as both teams look to preserve the draw. AC Milan are now in second place in the Europa League standings with 7 points, behind current leaders, Real Betis (8 points), and will look to gain three points against Dudelange on the 29th of November by 6.55pm to clinch qualification for the next round. Now it is back to the Championship and time to prepare mentally and physically for the big game at home against Juventus on Sunday, 11th of November by 8.30pm.

RELIVE REAL BETIS V AC MILAN PLAY BY PLAY

MATCH REPORT

Game on with the Rossoneri starting from right to left on the pitch. In the 7’ Calhanoglu receives a well-served pass from Rodriguez from 25 yards out: shoots wide. The Rossoneri fall behind in the 12’ after Firpo’s cross finds Lo Celso inside the box for the goal: left-footed volley that beats Reina. Another chance for Betis in the 18’ as Joaquin’s one-two with Lo Celso almost finds Tello in the box: blocked by Laxalt. Firpo again in the 26’ sends a low range cross into the box for Sanabria: ends just wide of Reina’s post. First half ends with Real Betis in the lead. Second half is underway with both teams inverting sides on the pitch. Dangerous cross by Suso in the 57’ but deflected to corner by the Spanish defence. The resulting corner finds Suso again who curls a nice shot from the edge of the box: deflected by Lòpez. The Rossoneri are even again as Suso curls the ball from a free kick in the 62’ as Lopez is deceived by Bakayoko’s missed header: honours are even again. Unfortunate clash between Kessie and Musacchio in the 76’: Musacchio is stretchered off the pitch. Reina saves the result in the 86’ with a crucial save on Tello. Both teams assume a defensive stance and see the game through to the final whistle. Overall, it was a good result for Gattuso’s boys given past results against Spanish teams and the injuries sustained today.

SEE NOW: THE BEST IMAGES FROM REAL BETIS V AC MILAN

SOME USEFUL POST-MATCH STATS:

• Suso has actively participated in 13 goals (5 goals, 8 assists) in 14 seasonal appearances.
• All six goals scored by AC Milan in this Europa League have come in the second half.
• The Rossoneri conceded two shots on target tonight against Real Betis: They performed better only against Chievo and F91 Dudelange (one for each).

MATCH IN DETAILS

REAL BETIS VS AC MILAN 1-1

REAL BETIS (3-5-2): Lopéz; Mandi, Bartra, Feddal; Tello, Lo Celso, William Carvalho, Canales, Junior; Joaquín (67’ Guardado), Sanabria (74’ Moron). Subs: Robles; Sidnei; Barragán, Guardado, Inui; Loren, Sergio León. Coach: Quique Setién.

AC MILAN (3-5-2): Reina; Musacchio (82’ Romagnoli), Zapata, Rodriguez; Borini, Kessie, Bakayoko, Calhanoglu (89’ Bertolacci), Laxalt (76’ Abate); Suso, Cutrone. Subs: Donnarumma G.; Abate, Romagnoli; Bertolacci, Mauri, Montolivo; Halilovic. Coach: Gennaro Gattuso.

Referee: Craig Pawson (England).
Goals: 12' Lo Celso (RB), 62' Suso (M).
Booked: 45’ Feddal (RB), 61’ Lo Celso (RB), 73’ Rodriguez (M), 78’ Musacchio (M), 89’ Bakayoko (M), 94’ Bertolacci (M)

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