AC Milan secured a crucial 3-2 victory against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, but it was far from a walk in the park. The win takes coach Paulo Fonseca’s side to nine points in the group stage standings, solidifying their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds. Goals from Pulisic, substitute Rafael Leão, and Abraham sealed the deal for the Rossoneri, although a late stunner by 18-year-old Nino Marcelli, a Slovakian with Italian roots, added drama to the closing moments.
The game kicked off with Slovan fielding a surprising 3-4-3 formation, focusing on defensive solidity, while Milan implemented significant squad rotations, leaving only Maignan, Hernández, Fofana, and Reijnders from their previous Serie A outing. Despite their technical superiority, Milan struggled to find rhythm. Slovan relied on counterattacks, with Strelec nearly breaking the deadlock after rounding Maignan, only to be thwarted by a heroic intervention from Pavlović.
Milan eventually took the lead when Pulisic, assisted by Abraham, fired home with a precise diagonal shot. However, Slovan quickly responded with Barseghyan capitalizing on Calabria’s defensive lapse to equalize. The Slovakian side’s compact defensive setup frustrated Milan, who lacked precision in their final passes. The match remained tense, with both teams heading into halftime on level terms.
Fonseca introduced Rafael Leão at the start of the second half, replacing a disappointing Okafor. The substitution proved pivotal. Leão’s energy revitalized Milan’s attack, and despite a missed opportunity early on, he made his mark. A quickly-taken free kick from Calabria set up Fofana, who delivered a perfectly weighted ball to Leão. With a deft touch and clinical finish, the Portuguese forward ended his year-long Champions League goal drought, restoring Milan’s lead.
Minutes later, a disastrous back pass from Strelec gifted Abraham an easy chance to extend the advantage to 3-1. Milan appeared to be in control, prompting Fonseca to make substitutions to manage energy levels and protect key players. However, Slovan introduced offensive changes, including Marcelli, who made an immediate impact.
Marcelli pulled one back for Slovan with a stunning left-footed strike from the edge of the box, leaving Maignan with no chance. The Rossoneri protested two uncalled fouls in the build-up to the goal, but their appeals were ignored. Tensions rose as the prospect of a nervy finish loomed, only for Tolić to receive two quick yellow cards for dissent, reducing Slovan to 10 men.
The win marks Milan’s third consecutive Champions League victory, a stark contrast to their inconsistent domestic form. With upcoming home matches against Red Star Belgrade and Girona, followed by an away trip to Dinamo Zagreb, Milan’s path to the knockout stage looks promising. However, Fonseca will need to address the team’s lapses in balance and consistency.
For now, the Rossoneri can celebrate a vital step toward their goal of finishing in the top eight, even if it came with its share of challenges.
Goals: Pulisic 21 (M), Barseghyan 24 (S), Leao 68 (M), Abraham 71 (M), Marcelli 88 (S)
Sent off: Tolic 91 (S)
Slovan Bratislava: Takac; Bajric, Voet (76′ Nino Marcelli); Blackman, Kucka (76′ Tolic), Savvidis (90′ Mak), Medvedev; Barseghyan, Strelec, Metsoko (66′ Inhatenko).
Milan: Maignan; Calabria (75′ Emerson Royal), Tomori, Pavlovic, Theo Hernandez; Fofana (76′ Musah), Reijnders; Chukwueze, Pulisic (75′ Loftus-Cheek), Okafor (46′ Leao); Abraham.
