CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – AC Milan revive at Atlético Madrid

AC Milan offers a reprieve. This Wednesday evening, the Rossoneri won on the lawn of Atlético de Madrid, on the smallest of the brands (0-1), during the fifth and penultimate day of the group stage of the Champions League . At the Wanda Metropolitano, Junior Messias delivered his own, at the very end of the game (87th). In the classification of group B, the Milanese come back to the level of the Madrilenians, with four points. Everything will be played on the last day, Tuesday December 7 (9 p.m.), with a trip to FC Porto’s lawn for Atlético, and Liverpool’s reception for AC Milan.

Junior Messias scored on his first attempt for AC Milan, for his third appearance. The attacker was able to take advantage of the opposing defensive largesse, and, free of any marking, catapult the ball into the back of the goal (87th, 0-1). An achievement that rewarded domination on the part of AC Milan, which also monopolized the ball (57% possession).

Atlético nevertheless had an equalizer

Even so, there were few opportunities at that time. If Pierre Kalulu had poorly secured a header (21st), the first to have truly solicited Jan Oblak was Alexis Saelemaekers (47th), while at the very end of the game, the parade of the last rampart of the Colchoneros against Ismaël Bennacer was decisive and really prevented the break from the visitors (90th). For his part, tenured at the forefront of the Milan attack, Olivier Giroud had more difficulty expressing himself. Warned very early (27th), the French found himself at the limit on several interventions that then followed, before being forced to leave on injury (66th).

As for Atlético de Madrid, who nevertheless played at home, it was just as complicated. Ciprian Tatarusanu did not really have to work in front of Thomas Lemar (48th) then Rodrigo de Paul (75th). Paradoxically, Diego Simeone’s men were more dangerous as soon as they found themselves led. But Matheus Cunha, up close, missed the inevitable (90th + 1).

For his comeback in the Champions League since the 2013-14 season, AC Milan, with only one small point in four games already played, no longer had the right to make mistakes, if he did not want to go out. through the little door. Stefano Pioli’s men were therefore able to respond. Atlético de Madrid had a record of three victories in as many games already played against AC Milan in C1 (1-0 away and 4-1 at home in 2013-2014, and 2-1 in the outside this season). This first defeat could be expensive. On the last day, FC Porto, AC Milan and Atlético de Madrid can qualify for the knockout stages, for the Europa League or find themselves empty-handed.