AC Milan is back in Europe. The Rossoneri return to the field 47 days after the last official match, the 3-0 against Cagliari on matchday 38 of last season, and 644 days after the last continental appearance, the 3-1 suffered in Athens in December 2018. At the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, Shamrock Rovers has to be overcome in the only match valid for the second qualifying round of the Europa League. Pioli has to do without Rebic (suspended), Leao (in quarantine), Conti and Romagnoli (injured), but can count on the contribution of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the first minute. Behind him, in the attack trident, are Castillejo, Calhanoglu and Saelemaekers. The three new signings Tatarusanu, Tonali and Brahim Diaz are also on the bench. If successful, the Rossoneri will then face the winner of Bodø / Glimt-Žalgiris Vilnius in a single match scheduled for 24 September at San Siro. Then, playoffs and group stages.
STATISTICS AND BACKGROUND – First cross between Milan and Shamrock Rovers. In the two previous matches against Irish teams, the Rossoneri have collected a win and a draw, the result of the double challenge against Athlone Town in the 1975-1976 Uefa Cup. In general, there are five Italian victories in six crossings against Irish teams: the last confrontation dates back to 2010-2011, with the double victory of Juve on Shamrock Rovers. AC Milan’s debut in the last two seasons has been negative: double knockout against Napoli and Udinese. Never in their history have the Rossoneri failed their first match for three consecutive seasons.
OFFICIAL FORMATIONS:
SHAMROCK ROVERS (3-5-2): Mannus; O’Brien, Lopes, Grace; Finn, McEneff, O’Neill, Byrne, Farrugia; Greene, Burke. Available: Pohls, Kavanagh, Marshall, Watts, Callan, Williams, Oluwa. Coach: Bradley.
MILAN (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Gabbia, Theo Hernández; Kessié, Bennacer; Castillejo, Çalhanoglu, Saelemaekers; Ibrahimovic. Available: Tătărușanu, Duarte, Laxalt, Tonali, Brahim Díaz, Krunic, Colombo. Coach: Pegs.
81′ Milan again: Calabria left-handed from the edge of the area, easily parried Mannus.
73′ First change for Milan: outside Saelemaekers, inside Krunic.
71′ Another important intervention for Gigio Donnarumma, reactive to throw himself to the ground on a left-handed in Greene’s area.
70′ First change for the hosts: 0’Neill out, Watts in.
67 ‘AC MILAN GOAL! Rossoneri doubled with Hakan Calhanoglu, good at finding the net with a precise right from the edge of the area.
64 ‘Milan not very concrete in this case: Castillejo goes away on the right and finds Saelemaekers in the area, but the Belgian’s shot is too weak and easily blocked by Mannus.
59′ Calhanoglu very dangerous on a free-kick: the Turkish right-footed player was deflected for a corner by Mannus.
57′ Bravo Ibrahimovic to defend the ball and win a free-kick at the edge of the area on the short side.
51 ‘Calhanoglu show with an overhead kick attempt. The ball then reaches Calabria, which he receives from Castillejo and tries with a precise right: Mannus flies and deflects for a corner.
46 ‘We’re off again!
45 ‘The first half ends here: Milan ahead 1-0 thanks to Ibrahimovic’s goal. Rossoneri dangerous also with Castillejo and Calhanoglu, but also the two interventions by Donnarumma on Greene.
43′ Cross from the left for Finn: his header is easily blocked by Donnarumma.
41 ‘Milan close to the encore: Theo puts a complicated ball in the center, Calabria looks for the left-handed but is blocked. Ibra then tries: high ball.
36′ Milan again: Ibra serves Calhanoglu with a head, the Turkish rebounds but the ball ends high.
35′ Milan dangerous with Theo Hernandez: Ibrahimovic’s cross from the right, the Frenchman tries to fly with his left-handed but doesn’t hit the goal.
28′ Nothing to do on the corner of the Irish.
27′ Shamrock replies: Greene overcomes Gabbia and kicks from a tight angle, Donnarumma good at deflecting for a corner.
24′ Immediately Milan close to the encore: Ibra’s cross for Castillejo, who with the scallop overcomes Mannus but not McEneff.
23 ‘GOAL OF MILAN! Theo Hernandez recovers the ball on the trocar, then Calhanoglu serves Ibrahimovic, who controls and starts the right in the corner. Rossoneri advantage!
21 & # 39; Milan again: Ibra serves Calhanoglu, who kicks from the edge but the shot is blocked by the Irish defense.
20′ Calhanoglu right from the flag, Burke sweeps away.
20′ Castillejo serves Calabria, Byrne closes in the corner.
19′ Calhanoglu beats, Grace moves away.
18′ Do it against Theo on the trocar, punishment for Milan.
17′ Milan answers: Calabria finds Ibrahimovic, the Swedish cross crosses the whole area and arrives on Saelemaekers’ feet. The Belgian serves Theo Hernandez, but the Frenchman’s left is rejected.
13′ The hosts show themselves: Burke finds Greene vertically, his left to cross is rejected by Donnarumma, good with diving.
10′ Calhanoglu’s free kick from the trocar: he hits Ibra with his head, but is not very precise.
4′ Ibrahimovic tries to change the field for Castillejo: long ball, Castillejo does not get there.
3′ No chance on the corner: the Rossoneri still remain in the offensive zone.
3′ Ibrahimovic looks for Theo Hernandez with the winger: Lopes closes, it will be a corner for Milan.
1′ Milan shows up immediately: Calhanoglu serves Saelemaeksers, who seeks the right but hits very badly.
1′ You leave!
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