A more atrocious insult could not have been for Milan, defeated 2-1 at home by Atletico Madrid on the second day of the group stage of the Champions League. Like Inter Milan, the Rossoneri are only defeated in the second half by the other team from Madrid. A lying result, which excessively penalizes Pioli’s team. Deservedly leading with Leao in the first half, the Rossoneri remain in ten for a red to Kessie. From that moment another match began, Atletico besieged the goal of Maignan and in the final reversed the result with the class of Griezmann and the coldness of Suarez from the spot. A very dubious penalty granted by Cakir with the help of the Var for an alleged foul by Kalulu. With two defeats in two games, the road for the Rossoneri is now uphill, with Liverpool and Atletico Madrid already appearing to be able to take off.
Rebic at the center of the Milan attack with Giroud on the bench. This is Pioli’s choice. The technician still without the injured Kjaer, relaunches Calabria, Brahim Diaz, Leao and Bennacer leaving Tonali on the bench in mid-field. On the opposite side, Simeone has to do without Savic so he launches Felipe at the center of the defense. In attack Correa plays alongside Suarez. Griezmann, surprisingly goes to the bench. Big party in the South curve, where a huge ‘AC Milan is back’ banner appears to accelerate the Rossoneri’s return to the Champions League after seven years.
First half played at good pace by the two teams, even if finding spaces is very difficult. It is no coincidence that the only thrill in the first minutes is an alleged touch of Tomori’s arm in the area, considered regular by Cakir after a long silent-check with the Var. Shortly after the quarter of an hour, Milan’s first shot in goal, a left low shot from 20 meters by Brahim Diaz weak and central. Pioli’s team begins to push with greater determination and touches the advantage on the counterattack with Rebic. Oblak saves Atletico for a corner. It is the prelude to the well-deserved goal that arrives in the 20 ‘, signed by Leao with a nice right diagonal from inside the penalty area on an assist from Brahim Diaz.
Atletico are in trouble, seeming to be unable to keep up with the frenzied pace imposed on the game by the Rossoneri. Shortly before half an hour, the first jump of the colchoneros, with a flying left from the edge of Kondogbia high on the crossbar. Immediately after another turning point in the game, with the second yellow card and the expulsion of Kessie for a naive foul in the middle of the field. Pioli runs for cover by inserting Tonali in place of Rebic, leaving only Diaz and Leao forward. Simeone replies by inserting Joao Felix in place of Trippier thus passing to a more offensive 4-4-2. Before the interval, a thrill in the Rossoneri area with a flying shot by Suarez just outside, Correa’s cross from the right.
In the second half, Simeone immediately sent De Paul for Hermoso and Lodi for Carrasco. The Cholo redesigns the team again with an even more offensive line-up. Atletico immediately very aggressive and leaning forward in search of a balance. First danger for Milan on a left from the edge of Kondogbia on the outside of the net. Atletico again close to equalizing with a header from Suarez just outside, on Felix’s cross from the right. After ten minutes, Pioli removes the exhausted Leao and Brahim Diaz. Inside the experience of Giroud and the youth of the newcomer Ballo-Toure.
Atletico are now besieging the Rossoneri area, Milan are forced to defend themselves but without giving up to restart when they recover the ball. Half an hour from the end Simeone also plays the Griezmann card instead of Koke. The match ignited when Suarez in one fell swoop knocked out Calabia and Maignan in the area. The colchoneros do not give up and still touch the par with Correa from the edge, then Maignan opposes Lemar. The goal is now in the air and inevitably arrives in the 84th minute signed by Griezmann, with a great left from the center of the area on an assist from Lodi. However, AC Milan’s reaction was immediate, which touched the new advantage twice with the newly entered Florenzi. On the opposite front, a super Maignan diverts a flying right from Joao Felix. When the draw seemed defined, in the 97th minute the mockery goal of Atletico Madrid signed by Suarez on a penalty kick granted by Cakir for a foul of hands in the area of Kalulu arrives. Penalty awarded with the help of the Var. Amaro, indeed very bitter the epilogue for Milan.