AC Milan edged Red Star Belgrade (Crvena zvezda) 2-1 at the San Siro, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) and moving closer to securing a spot in the play-off round. The match showcased grit and drama, with Tammy Abraham’s late winner proving decisive against a determined Red Star side.
Despite dominating possession, Milan initially struggled to penetrate Red Star’s well-organized defense.
- Tijjani Reijnders and Rafael Leão forced saves from Ivan Guteša, but the Serbian keeper stood firm.
- Red Star nearly shocked the hosts when Andrija Maksimović’s effort struck the crossbar.
The breakthrough came just before halftime when a long ball from Youssouf Fofana found Leão, who calmly controlled and slotted past Guteša to give Milan the lead. Red Star started the second half aggressively, with Ognjen Mimović and Timi Elšnik testing Mike Maignan, who kept Milan ahead with crucial saves.
However, the visitors leveled the match in the 73rd minute when Nemanja Radonjić capitalized on a loose ball outside the box, smashing it past Maignan.
Milan struggled to find a response, with an Emerson Royal shot at Guteša being their only meaningful attempt late in the game. But in the dying moments, Tammy Abraham, who replaced an injured Álvaro Morata, scrambled the ball home after his initial header rebounded off the crossbar, sealing the victory for Milan.
Key Performances:
- AC Milan:
- Rafael Leão: Scored the opener and consistently troubled Red Star’s defense.
- Tammy Abraham: Late heroics to secure all three points.
- Mike Maignan: Made vital saves to preserve Milan’s lead.
- Red Star:
- Ivan Guteša: Impressive goalkeeping kept Red Star in contention.
- Nemanja Radonjić: Scored a brilliant equalizer, showing individual skill.
What’s Next?
- AC Milan: Climb to 12th in the UCL league phase table, with a play-off spot all but secured.
- Red Star Belgrade: Face a daunting task, sitting five points adrift of the play-off positions with just two games remaining.
Milan’s resilience under pressure highlights their growing confidence in Europe, while Red Star will rue missed opportunities and look to regroup quickly in their pursuit of a miraculous qualification.
