AC Milan beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 in away trip to Spain in Group B of the Champions League. The only goal came three minutes before the end, when the Rossoneri scored through the substitute Junior Messias. AC Milan returned to the fight for next phase, after collecting five points, slotting ahead of today’s rival and only one behind of the second placed Porto.
Atletico had the opportunity to start in an excellent manner after Rodrigo De Paul was found be Yannick Carrasco in the penalty area, but the Argentine volley was saved by Ciprian Tatarusanu. The Rossoneri responded in the 7th minute when Brahim Diaz made an individual break through the center, but then shot wide of the goal. Two minutes later, a cross by Brahim Diaz surprised Jan Oblak, but the ball went menacingly past the left side post. In the next minutes, the guests felt more comfortable on the field, while Atletico often made mistakes with the ball.
In the 19th minute, Diego Simeone’s boys organized a good attack through Yannick Carrasco. He continued to Rodrigo De Paul, who shot from distance, but the ball went over the bar. Gradually, Atletico Madrid pushed the game in Milan’s half, but the defense in front of Chiprian Tatarusanu did not allow any major dangers.
During the break, the two coaches did not make any changes in their lineups. In the 47th minute The Rossoneri imposed territorial pressure and in the 58th minute Franck Kessié shot from a distance, but very inaccurately. Three minutes later, Theo Hernandez crossed sharply from a free kick in the penalty area, where Simon Kjaer dangerous header went inches over the bar.
In the 72nd minute Zlatan Ibrahimovic found excellently Junior Messias in the penalty area, after which the Brazilian tried a pass to Brahim Diaz, but the ball was cleared. In the 80th minute Alessandro Florenzi crossed in the penalty area again from a free kick, Timue Bakayoko header also went over the bar.
Three minutes before the end, Theo Hernandez passed to Frank Kessié, who immediately crossed in the penalty area, where Junior Messias headed in ball past Jan Oblak for the winning goal.
With this win AC Milan has 4 points, as much as Atletico Madrid, but with better overall goal difference. In front of them are the leader Liverpool with a total of 15 points and the second Porto with 5 points. The Spanish champion will have to win in his visit to the Dragons and pry for Liverpool in the next match if they wants to continue ahead in the tournament. As for the Rossoneri, they will need a home success over the Merseysiders, as well as draw or victory of for Atletico so Porto could be overtaken for the 2nd place in the group.