AC Milan Survives Late Scare to Edge Slovan Bratislava 3-2 in Champions League Thriller
AC Milan fans, hold onto your seats because Tuesday night’s Champions League clash was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride! The Rossoneri secured their third consecutive Champions League victory with a nail-biting 3-2 win over Slovan Bratislava. While the scoreline suggests a close contest, the drama on the pitch was even more intense as Milan held off a late surge from the home side to claim all three points.
Coming into the match, Milan had momentum on their side after a commanding 3-1 win over Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Slovan Bratislava was licking their wounds from a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb. But if anyone thought this would be a walk in the park for Milan, Slovan had other plans. For much of the game, the Slovakian side looked more than capable of pulling off an upset.
First-Half Fireworks: Pulisic and Barseghyan Trade Blows
The first half was a tale of two counterattacks. Milan struck first in the 21st minute when Christian Pulisic latched onto a brilliant through-ball from Tammy Abraham. Pulisic raced into the box and coolly slotted the ball into the far corner, giving Milan an early lead. It was a moment of class from the American winger, who continues to shine on Europe’s biggest stage.
But Slovan wasn’t about to roll over. Just three minutes later, Tigran Barseghyan capitalized on Milan’s defensive lapse. Picking up the ball in his own half, Barseghyan sprinted past Milan’s midfield and lofted a delicate chip over the onrushing goalkeeper. The home crowd erupted as Slovan leveled the score at 1-1, and suddenly, it was game on.
Second-Half Substitutions Change the Game
With the score tied at halftime, Milan manager Stefano Pioli made a bold move, bringing on Rafael Leão. The Portuguese winger wasted no time making an impact. In the 68th minute, Youssouf Fofana delivered a pinpoint cross-field pass to Leão, who slipped past his marker and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper. Milan was back in front, 2-1.
Just three minutes later, disaster struck for Slovan. A misjudged back-pass from David Strelec landed right at the feet of Abraham, who made no mistake in punishing the error. With the score now 3-1, it seemed like Milan had the game wrapped up.
Late Drama Keeps Fans on Edge
But Slovan wasn’t done yet. In the 88th minute, Nino Marcelli unleashed a stunning strike from outside the box, giving the home side a glimmer of hope. The goal was a thing of beauty, and suddenly, the atmosphere in the stadium shifted. Could Slovan pull off a miraculous comeback?
Unfortunately for the Slovakian side, their hopes were dashed when Marko Tolic received a second yellow card for dissent in the dying moments of the game. Down to 10 men, Slovan couldn’t muster another attack, and Milan held on for the win.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Milan’s Winning Streak: With this victory, Milan now sits on nine points, maintaining their perfect record in the group stage.
- Slovan’s Struggles: Slovan remains at the bottom of the standings with zero points, a tough pill to swallow for their fans.
- Impact Players: Pulisic, Leão, and Abraham were instrumental in Milan’s win, while Barseghyan and Marcelli shone for Slovan.
Despite the win, Milan will need to address some defensive lapses that nearly cost them the game. As for Slovan, their spirited performance showed they can compete, but individual errors and discipline issues continue to haunt them.
All in all, it was a thrilling night of Champions League football, and Milan fans will be hoping their team can carry this momentum into the next round. For Slovan, the focus now shifts to salvaging some pride in their remaining group-stage matches.
Originally Written by: Unknown
