FT: CRAIOVA 0 – 1 MILAN
The rossoneri win the first leg of Europa League with a goal by Ricardo Rodriguez. Next week both teams will meet in San Siro.
From Ricardo Kaka to Ricardo Rodriguez. AC Milan begin the European journey in the double R sign, Ricardo Rodriguez. A free kick from the Swiss defender is enough to destroy the fortress of Craiova, expertly build by coach Mangia. Milan, especially in the second half, suffered the difference of physical preparation against a team that is in the middle of the championship. The rossoneri return in San Siro with a single goal advantage. It is worth mentioning the debut in an official match for the new arrivals Musacchio, Conti, Kessie, Silva and Borini.
90′ There will be three minutes of added time.
87′ Craiova is attempting to find a late goal
83′ Bancu dribbles Conti and Kessie, but is stopped by Musacchio just a few steps away from Donnarumma.
80′ Third and last substitution for Craiova: Roman enters for Dimitrov. Last replacement also for Montella: Cutrone leaves the pitch for Antonelli.
77’ Yellow card for Kessie.
77′ Great play by Niang, serving a cross for Andre Silva: The Portuguese misses the ball for centimeters.
75′ Substitution for Craiova: Fausto Rossi leaves his place to Mateiu.
73′ Second substitution for Milan: Conti in, Abate out.
70′ Bancu tries from 20 meters: out
68′ Vincenzo Montella tries the defense on 3. Milan is currently playing with 3-4-1-2.
66′ Out Borino, in Andre Silva
65′ Milan near the second goal! Kessie leaps six men but Cutrone can’t find the net.
60’ Big chance for Craiova! From a free kick, Donnarumma comes out and kicks the ball, Mitrita receives the ball and tries to score. Out by a centimeter.
58′ Borini steals the ball outside the area and immediately tires a shot: above the bar.
53′ Tactical change requested by Montella. The two central defenders exchange position. Zapata will play left central defender and Musacchio right central defender.
49’ Opportunity for Milan! Bonaventura takes the ball and serves Niang in depth: the French tries the shot but Calancea saves it. Corner for Milan.
48′ Mitrita enters in full speed and challenges Musacchio inside the area. Former Pescara wants a penalty but the referee doesn’t seem to think the same.
45′ Second half begins, no changes for either team
45′ HT: CRAIOVA 0 – 1 AC MILAN
43′ GOAL: Ricardo Rodriguez scores. From a deflated position, the Swiss defender crosses but no one touches the sphere that goes in the net.
41′ Huge chance for Milan! Kessie sees Ricardo Rodriguez’s entry and passes: the Swiss defender stops the ball, dribles Calancea, but is anticipated by Kelic in the last moment.
39′ Good combination between Cutrone and Kessie. The Ivorian then tries to find Borini but is not accurate and the ball goes out.
36′ Milan close to finding the goal again with Cutrone! From the corner, he jumps higher than everyone and hits the ball: off by centimeters.
30′ Briceag tries to pass for Calancea. It becomes a golden assist for Cutrone who hits the ball but the goalkeeper is very careful and saves.
26′ Immediate reply by Milan! Splendid ball in the depths by Borini for Cutrone that takes aim but hits the inner bar. The ball spins on the line and goes out. Huge chance of Rossoneri.
23’ Error by Montolivo. Incredible opportunity for Craiova, one on one with Donnarumma, the young goalkeeper denies the goal with a big dive.
20′ First shot on goal: Niang tries from 20 meters but it’s a central shot, easy for Calancea.
17′ Ricardo Rodriguez draws a splendid trajectory to find Borini. Only in front of the goalkeeper, the striker believes he is offside and does not kick the ball.
14′ Good triangulation between Borini and Kessie at the edge of the area, alert Kelic intervenes promptly.
13′ First tactical change for Vincenzo Montella. The technician asked Bonaventura to not play anymore as left midfielder but more as a winger.
11′ Craiova lunch forward with Mitrita but Abate closes
9′ Zlatinski gets a harsh kick from Kessie. Immediately the intervention of the medical staff, the game interrupted for a few moments.
8′ Occasion for Milan, Musacchio finds Cutrone free in the attack: the young bomber starts a good cross, Niang anticipated in the last moment.
6′ Kessie flipped forward: after a good percussion with the ball in his feet, the service for Borini is inaccurate. Easy for Calancea.
4′ Rossoneri posses the ball in the first minutes. Players continue to search for space in the Romanian defense.
2′ Immediately in attack Craiova. Cross of Mitrita for Baluta, easy for Donnarumma.
1′ Host play with the white shirt while guests with the third uniform, the kit presented in China against Bayern Munich.
1′ Europa League for the rossoneri starts here, Craiova vs Milan has started.
AC Milan return to play in Europe after a long period of absence. Today, in Romaina, the European journey begins against Cas Craiova at 20:00.
The rossoneri return to play a match in European competitions after 1234 days. Today, after a 4 year absence, AC Milan returns to play in its home, in Europe. Vincenzo Montella’s team needs to grab a win in the first match in order to play a quiet second leg. The manager wants an attacking team to secure the qualification today.
Official lineup
CRAIOVA: Calancea; Dimitrov, Sphaija, Kelic, Briceag; Zlatinski; Vagenin, Mitrita, Rossi, Bancu; Baluta.
AC MILAN: G. Donnarumma; Abate, Zapata, Musacchio, Rodriguez; Kessie, Montolivo, Bonaventura; Borini, Cutrone, Niang.
Substitute: Storari, Mauri, Andre Silva, Conti, Gomez, Antonelli, Locatelli.
Referee: Halis Özkahya (TUR)
Assistants
1° assistant: Çem Satman (TUR)
2° assistant: Kerem Ersoy (TUR
