UEFA Europa League
Thursday, December 3, 2020
San Siro, Milan

AC MILAN… 4
(Calhanoglu 23, Castillejo 25, Hauge 49, Diaz 81)

CELTIC… 2
(Rogic 7, Edouard 13

NEIL Lennon’s side produced a positive performance in the San Siro against AC Milan, but despite taking an early two-goal lead thanks to goals from Tom Rogic and Odsonne Edouard, it was the Italian side who took all three points, scoring two goals in either half to win 4-2.

Celtic started the match on the front foot, and looked dangerous every time they were on the attack, and Tom Rogic gave the Hoops the lead in the San Siro after seven minutes. The Australian internationalist dispossessed the Milan defender on the edge of the box and fired home a powerful left-foot shot into the net.

Callum McGregor came close with a snapshot from eight yards out which was well saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Milan goal, but the Hoops were not to be denied a second goal, which came on 13 minutes.

Once again, strong pressing from the Hoops saw them regain possession, with the ball being worked on to Ryan Christie. He put a wonderful threaded ball through to Odsonne Edouard, and the French striker coolly lifted the ball over Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Milan goal.

It was a wonderful start from the Hoops and they pressed forward in search of a third goal and Jeremie Frimpong surged into the box, looking to get a shot away, but Milan dealt with the danger.

Having started the game so well, Celtic were hit by a quickfire double. First, Samuel Calhanoglu fired home a 25-yard free-kick and then, just two minutes later, Samuel Castillejo slotted home the equaliser from eight yards out after the Hoops had failed to clear the danger.

The home side, shell-shocked after their start to the game, now attacked with renewed confidence, and Castillejo was continuing to cause problems, with a shot narrowly wide in the 28th minute.

With three minutes of the first-half remaining, Callum McGregor came close to scoring, but his effort was saved by the Milan keeper.

Four minutes into the second half, Jens Hauge put Milan ahead for the first time in the match, dribbling his way into the box before curling a right-foot shot into the far corner and beyond the reach of Vasilis Barkas.

And the Greek goalkeeper was called upon to deny Castillejo on 53 minutes to stop Milan extending their lead.

Just after the hour mark, Frimpong again attacked down the right after being fed by Nir Bitton, but his shot was wide of the mark. And just seven minutes later, Kris Ajer surged forward from his own half and into the Milan area, but his cutback was cleared by the home defence.

Ryan Christie came even closer on 73 minutes after Frimpong won a free-kick 25 yards from goal. The Celtic attacker’s shot was heading into the net before Donnarumma produced a superb save to push the ball round the post.

And on 81 minutes, Milan made it 4-2. Again, it was Hauge who caused problems on the left flank, and his flick-on was met by substitute Brahim Diaz, who flicked it over Barkas and into the net.

Celtic continued to press forward, and Frimpong had another chance, but his right-foot shot was well-saved by Donnarumma.

AC MILAN: G.Donnarumma, Dalot, Kjaer (Romagnoli 10), Gabbia, Hernandez, Krunic (Tonali 46), Kessie (Bennacer 61), Calhanoglu (Diaz, 61), Castillejo, Rebic (Colombo 83), Hauge.
Subs: Tatarusanu, A.Donnarumma, Calabria, Kalulu, Maldini, Duarte, Saelmaekers

CELTIC: Barkas, Bitton, Brown (Soro 78), Christie (Klimala 85), Rogic (Ntcham 67), Edouard, Frimpong, Ajer, McGregor, Elhamed, Laxalt.
Subs: Bain, Hazard, Jullien, Taylor, Ajeti, Henderson, Welsh

Celts lose out after positive display in Milan