AC Milan on the brink of Champions League exit

 

AC Milan is on the brink of exiting from the Champions League after securing their first point in matchday four against the Portuguese side, FC Porto.

The Rossoneri had lost their three first games in the group to Liverpool, AC Milan and FC Porto at the Estadio Drago.

They were tipped to win this in order to put themselves back in contention for a place for the knockout stage, but with just 6 points at stake against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, it seems unlike that Stefano Pioli’s men will be able to make it past the group stage of the Champions League they have been absent from for over five years.

The closest option is to fight for the Europa League spot that would go to any team that finishes in the third spot. That will be a fight between them and Atletico Madrid.

Milan found themselves on the back foot after conceding an early goal.

All thanks to Pierre Kalulu’s cross was deflected into the net that secured a draw for them.

In the performance seen as far from vintage, Brahim Diaz returned to action after contracting COVID but had to do without Fode Ballo-Toure joined Mike Maignan, Ante Rebic, Alessio Romagnoli, Junior Messias and Alessandro Plizzari who are on the treatment table.

Porto that had won 1-0 at home were without Wendell and Ivan Marcano. They further lost Matheus Uribe in the warm-up to be replaced by Marko Grujic.

Grujic in the early minute robbed Ismael Bennacer and set up Luis Diaz, who had the space and time to take a touch and beat the on-rushing Ciprian Tatarusanu from eight yards to give the visitors the lead.

It would have been two but Tatarusanu prevented that from going in when he made a fingertip save from Grujic’s header on a free-kick.

He further stopped another Grujic’s header on a corner.

Milan’s first chance was out of nothing as Olivier Giroud curler was fingertipped over the bar by Diogo Costa.

Theo Hernandez began a counter-attack move from his own half, but Alexis Saelemaekers then ballooned his finish into the sky from a Rafael Leao pass.

After Davide Calabria went off injured at half-time, Evanilson almost doubled Porto’s lead but his header bounced off the top of the crossbar.

The parity was later restored when a free-kick was deflected into the path of Giroud, he forced a save on the turn. Pierre Kalulu’s across for a tap-in came accidentally from Chancel Mbemba.

The Diavolo woke up with noises from their fans as Tonali fired a free-kick over and substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic just unable to reach the Leao pass before the goalkeeper.

the Swede striker thought he had given the hosts the lead on 83 minutes, but it was ruled out because Hernandez was already offside when providing the assist.

 

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed