AC MILAN'S EUROPA LEAGUE JOURNEY COMES TO AN END
Europa League
It just wouldn't happen. A weakened AC Milan side played well at San Siro but lost to United, who go through thanks to Pogba's goal at the start of the second half. After a good first 45 minutes, in which the team dictated the game, the cold shower came just a couple of minutes after the break and from there the Rossoneri's Europa League exit developed rather quickly. The return of Zlatan Ibrahimović was not enough, neither was the courage and heart on display in the dying moments of the match as the Rossoneri pushed for an equaliser in a game, which they did not deserve to lose. It's a bitter knockout, but one thing is for certain; in spite of the absences, AC Milan went toe-to-toe with a great team. After the great performance at Old Trafford, the only thing missing this evening was the goal, especially after a raft of chances created in the first half. Now, however, it's time to pick ourselves up, gather our strength and get back to work in the league; on Sunday at 18:00 CET, we take on Fiorentina in the final fixture ahead of next week's international break. There's still a long way to go this season; courage, Rossoneri!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN V MANCHESTER UNITED
REPORT
Manchester United pressed high from the get-go and the Rossoneri were forced onto the back foot - though they rarely looked in trouble. The first real attempt from the guests came from a Bruno Fernandes shot from the edge of the area (12'). AC Milan responded through Kessie, whose long-range shot was straight down the middle. AC Milan again in the 23rd minute: Theo cut inside and was stopped by Maguire just as he was about to unleash the shot. A chance came to Çalhanoğlu a few minutes later; Shaw's attempted clearance was not a good one and the ball dropped to the Turk, who didn't strike it well. The Rossoneri were growing into the game and began to take the reins, producing various chances. In the 35th minute, Castillejo led a swift counter but couldn't find the final ball to Kessie, while Henderson got his gloves to Saelemaekers' shot from the edge of the box (41'). One final chance of the half fell the way of AC Milan; Alexis set off down the right and put in a great cross to find Krunić, who got there ahead of Wan-Bissaka but fired wide with his right.
The second half began in the worst way possible for the Rossoneri; Pogba, who had just come on for Rashford, picked up the ball after chaos in the AC Milan box and put it past Donnarumma to hand the guests the lead. The Rossoneri had taken a blow but remained full of ideas and surged forward once more - due in part to the arrival of Ibra. Saelemaekers forced Henderson into action and then Kessie threatened twice; the first was closed down by Lindelöf, then the Ivorian headed off target. In the 74th minute, Zlatan had his first opportunity of the game; Çalhanoğlu's cross was a brilliant one and Ibra rose to head home, but the Swede only managed to force a fantastic save from Henderson. Theo then raced forward down the left but Shaw cut out his attempted cross (78'). As the game drew to a close, the team had a great go of it but couldn't quite find that vital equaliser.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 0-1 MANCHESTER UTD
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): G.Donnarumma; Kalulu (65' Dalot), Kjær, Tomori, Hernández; Meïte, Kessie; Saelemaekers, Çalhanoğlu, Krunić (46' Díaz); Castillejo (65' Ibrahimović). Subs.: A. Donnarumma, Tătărușanu; Dalot, Gabbia; Bennacer, Tonali; Tonin. Coach: Pioli.
MANCHESTER UTD (4-2-3-1): Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, James; Rashford (46' Pogba). Subs.: De Gea, Grant; Telles, Tuanzebe, Williams; Diallo, Matić, van de Beek. Coach: Solskjær.
Referee: Brych (GER).
Goal: 48' Pogba (MU).
Booked: 64' Kalulu (M), 77' Dalot (M), 85' Kjær (M), 93' Shaw (MU), 95' Hernández (M).
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