AC Milan Stumbles in Champions League: What’s Next After Dinamo Zagreb Loss?
AC Milan Falls Short Against Dinamo Zagreb
AC Milan missed a golden chance to secure an automatic spot in the last-16 of the Champions League after losing 2-1 to Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatian champions came out strong, knowing that only a win would keep their hopes alive.
Martin Baturina gave Dinamo the lead early on after capitalizing on a loose touch from Matteo Gabbia. Things got worse for Milan when Yunus Musah was sent off with a second yellow card for fouling Luka Stojkovic near the penalty area.
Milan fought back despite being down to 10 men. Christian Pulisic equalized with a low strike that slipped under Dinamo goalkeeper Ivan Nevistic. But Marko Pjaca restored Dinamo’s lead just minutes later with a powerful shot from a tight angle.
A Penalty Drama That Changed Nothing
Two minutes after Dinamo’s second goal, AC Milan thought they had a penalty when Nevistic brought down Rafael Leao. However, the decision was overturned as Leao had fouled a defender earlier in the build-up.
Victory wasn’t enough for Dinamo to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history. Meanwhile, AC Milan’s defeat means they’ll face either Feyenoord or Serie A rivals Juventus in the play-off round.
Player Ratings: Who Shone and Who Struggled?
AC Milan’s Top Performers
Here are the standout players from AC Milan’s squad:
Rafael Leão was named the Player of the Match with an impressive average rating of 7.75. Pulisic also shone, scoring Milan’s only goal.
Dinamo Zagreb’s Struggles
Dinamo Zagreb’s performance was lackluster overall, with several players receiving poor ratings:
Goalkeeper Ivan Nevistic struggled, earning a rating of just 5.83, while Sandro Kulenovic and Marko Pjaca were disappointed with ratings of 3.00 each.
What’s Next for AC Milan?
The loss to Dinamo Zagreb highlights areas where AC Milan needs improvement. Their upcoming play-off against Feyenoord or Juventus will be crucial in determining their Champions League fate.
Fans will be hoping Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic can continue their form, while defensive lapses need urgent attention. Can AC Milan bounce back and make a deep run in Europe?
Conclusion
This story of AC Milan’s Champions League setback was covered by ESPN, showcasing both their struggles and opportunities ahead. Despite the loss, the team has a chance to redeem themselves in the playoffs. Will they rise to the occasion?
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