Slovan Bratislava vs Milan 2-3: Leao Makes Difference in Second Half

Milan wrapped a much-needed 3-2 success at Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday night to continue their Champions League rebirth. It’s now three wins in a row for Paulo Fonseca’s side who can harbor some legitimate hopes of grabbing a spot into the Round of 16 without having to pass through the playoffs.

But the night at the Tehelné pole was not a walk in the park for the Rossoneri who managed to make a difference only the second half, thanks to Rafael Leao and Tammy Abraham’s goals. Milan had opened the scoring early on with Christian Pulisic but conceded an immediate equalizer as their defense had once again much to be forgiven for. 

Substitute Nino Marcelli’s late screamer gave some last-minute hope to the Slovakian champions but Marko Tolic saw red immediately after that and helped the Rossoneri weather Slovan’s final assault. 

Milan needed a convincing performance after the San Siro crowd showered them with whistles following their drab 0-0 tie with Juventus. The Slovaks came from four Champions League losses in a row and an anything but impressive record of two goals scored and 15 conceded so far.

With Alvaro Morata not available, Tammy Abraham led Milan’s attack tonight as Paulo Fonseca benched Rafael Leao and lined up Noah Okafor at left wing in his place. Slovan Bratislava featured former Rossoneri midfielder Juraj Kucka, as well as ex Serie A rover David Strelec.

Milan spent most of the initial 15 minutes within the Slovakian half but risked being caught on the counter when Strelec managed to sneak past the Rossoneri backline and dashed past Mike Maignan. A formidable clearance from Strahinja Pavlovic spared the Rossoneri’s blushes.

After the scare, Paulo Fonseca’s side quickly regained control and paid Slovan back in the same coin as Abraham picked Christian Pulisic with a fine filtering pass. The US international fired the ball past Domikic Takac and into the bottom right corner of his goal, making it 0-1.

Milan did not learn their lesson though as, just three minutes later, they offered another massive counterattack chance to Armenian star Tigran Barseghyan, who netted an immediate equalizer after running all alone across Milan’s defensive half.  

The Rossoneri continued to push and to peg Vladimir Weiss’ side back into their own half but appeared somewhat shaky at the back. It took another last-gasp clearance, this time from Fikayo Tomori, to defuse a new dangerous action from Slovan and preserve the 1-1 tie at half time.

Rafael Leao replaced Okafor after the restart and the second half followed the same pattern with Milan on the attacking end but Takac did not run any further real risk until the 68^th minute. That was when Youssouf Fofana saw Leao cut past the Slovakian defense and served him a ball which the Portuguese chipped past Tacak with a soft right foot touch.

Three minutes later, Abraham broke a four-year UCL scoring drought with some unexpected help from Strelec. The former Spezia and Reggina man went for a pass back to his keeper but failed to notice that the Englishman was all alone in the Slovan area, ready to pounce on the ball to make it 1-3.  

Milan now seemed in control but the game remained open as Marcelli scored the goal of the night on 89 minutes with a fantastic left foot screamer. The Rossoneri protested for two alleged fouls committed in the build-up but should have kept their guard up. Tolic’s send-off helped them wrap the game without conceding any additional chance to a now reinvigorated Slovan side.   

A two-face Milan, relentless on the front line but dreadful at the back, got the job done and that was all that mattered tonight, but doubts remain on Paulo Fonseca’s side balance. 

MATCH SCORECARD

November 26, 2024 – Champions League 2024/2025 First Round
SLOVAN BRATISLAVA – MILAN 2-3

SCORERS: 21′ Pulisic (M), 24′ Barseghyan (S), 68′ Rafael Leao (M), 71′ Abraham (M), 88′ Marcelli (S)

	SLOVAN BRATISLAVA (4-3-3): Takac; Blackman, Kashia, Bajric, Voet (76′ Marcelli); Medvedev, Savvidis (90′ Mak), Kucka (76′ Tolic); Barseghyan, Strelec, Metsoko (66′ Inhatenko) (Trnovsky, Hrdina, Mustafic, Zuberu, Pauschek, Gajdos, Vojtko, Szoke) Coach: Weiss
	MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (75′ Emerson Royal), Tomori, Pavlovic, T. Hernandez; Fofana (76′ Musah), Reijnders; Chukwueze, Pulisic (75′ Loftus-Cheek), Okafor (46′ Rafael Leao); Abraham (84′ Camarda) (Sportiello, Torriani, Thiaw, Terracciano, Gabbia) Coach: Fonseca

REFEREE: Mr. Sanchez Martinez (Spain)
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Chukwueze, Calabria, Tomori (M); Red Card: Tolic (S); Added Time: 1st Half 1′, 2nd Half 4′

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