EUROPA LEAGUE DEFEAT

AC Milan's run of 24 games unbeaten under Stefano Pioli comes to an end against Lille. The Rossoneri were defeated 3-0 at San Siro on matchday 3 in Group H of the Europa League. Turkish midfielder Yusuf Yazici starred for the French outfit, scoring all three goals of the game. It is a tough match to analyse; proceedings began with the team holding their nerve, although AC Milan never really got going in attack.

In any case, this defeat certainly doesn't overwrite the Rossoneri's brilliant run and, at the same time, does not mean that progression in Europe is now in jeopardy. As it stands, Lille top the group on seven points, while AC Milan are close behind on six. Sparta Praha (three) and Celtic (one) are third and fourth respectively. The Europa League returns on 26 November when we head to France for the rematch with Lille. Now, though, it's important to move on quickly from this defeat and switch our focus to Verona in Serie A on Sunday evening. It's an important game and the Rossoneri will be hoping to get back on track right away. 

MATCH REPORT

Stefano Pioli opted for his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation against Lille at San Siro. Castillejo, Krunić and Díaz lined up behind Zlatan Ibrahimović. The opening stages of the match produced a cagey encounter in midfield. The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute when, after a throw-in, referee Frankowski adjudged Romagnoli to have fouled Yazici in the penalty area and pointed to the spot. Lille's number 12 then stepped up to take the penalty and put it past Donnarumma to give the away side the lead. The goal changed the balance of the match as AC Milan were forced to up the tempo, while Lille were able to sit back and look to hit the Rossoneri on the break. In the 25th minute, Ibra's attempted free-kick was saved by Maignan. The guests, as previously mentioned, began to sit deep and look for chances to counter and, at the end of the half, Celik failed to convert after a quick breakaway. 

Pioli reacted at half-time, bringing on  Çalhanoğlu and Leão in place of Castillejo and Krunić. The rhythm of the game was unchanged from the first half; AC Milan kept pushing for the equaliser. The almost got level, too, as Franck Kessie's effort flashed just over the bar. Just as it looked like the Rossoneri were bound to score, the guests hit hard. Again it was Yazici, who doubled Lille's lead from around 20 metres out before completing his hat-trick. 3-0 to Lille. It was the killing blow for Pioli's men, who sought the consolation goal; in the 64th minute, substitute Ante Rebić forced a save from Maignan. The last chance of the game fell to Leão close to full-time, but the Portughese couldn't hit the target. That was the last chance of the game before Frankowski signalled full-time.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 0-3 LILLE

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Dalot, Kjær, Romagnoli, Hernández; Tonali (61' Bennacer), Kessie; Castillejo (46' Leão), Krunić (46' Çalhanoğlu), Brahim Díaz (79' Hauge); Ibrahimović (62' Rebić). Subs.: Tătărușanu, A. Donnarumma, Conti, Duarte, Gabbia, Kalulu, Maldini. Coach: Pioli.

LILLE (4-4-2): Maignan; Çelik, Fonte, Botman, Bradarić; Bamba (84' Mandava), Xeka (65' André), Sanches (80' Soumaré), Ikoné (65' Lihadji); Yazici (80' Yilmaz), David. Subs.: Chavalier, Karnezīs, Djalo, Pied, Soumaoro, Niasse, Weah. Coach: Galtier.

Referee: Frankowski (POL).
Goals: 22' rig. Yazici (L), 10'st Yazici (L), 13'st Yazici (L).
Booked: 36' Xeka (L), 29'st Çelik (L), 38'st Romagnoli (M).

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