Olivier Giroud scored a foul penalty just before the break (45′) to give Milan a deserved lead, Alexis Saelemaekers (47′) followed up after a change of sides. Mislav Orsic (56′) made the cut for Dinamo before Tommaso Pobega (77′) ended Zagreb’s hopes. Robert Ljubicic played through for the Croatians.
The guests at San Siro started in terms of personnel as in the surprise success of the previous week, Ljubicic acted in the back five on the left with forward momentum. An unsuccessful advance by the 23-year-old gave Rafael Leao a good chance. Milan’s goalscorer then volleyed wide of the goal before scoring the penalty. Josip Sutalo hit the Portuguese on the foot, Giroud converted safely.
Ljubicic didn’t get into a duel against Saelemaekers in the 2-0, the Belgian converted Leao’s cross with a header. Dinamo managed to answer, Bruno Petkovic thoughtfully put on the in-form Orsic. The Croatians now sensed their chance, Milan were more concerned about security. A nice combination via substitute Pobega then gave the home side the third goal. Dinamo have now held one win, three draws and 18 defeats in their last 22 away games in the premier class.
UEFA Champions League, Group E, second match day
Wednesday:
AC Milan – Dinamo Zagreb 3:1 (1:0)
Mailand, St. Siro Stadium, SR Gil Manzano (ESP)
Torfolge:
1:0 Giroud (45./Elfmeter)
2:0 Saelemaekers (47.)
2:1 Orsic (56.)
3:1 Escape (77.)
Milan: Maignan – Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernandez – Tonali (67./Pobega), Bennacer (78./Krunic) – Saelemaekers (78./Messias), Diaz (79. Dest), Leao – Giroud (68./de Ketelaere )
Zagreb: Livakovic – Moharrami (63./Spikic), S. Ristovski (78./Drmic), Sutalo, Peric, Ljubicic – Ademi, Misic, Ivanusec – Orsic (84./Marin), Petkovic (84./Baturina)
Yellow cards: none or Orsic, Marin
