In a tightly contested Group E match, Milan beat Zagreb 3-1, winning thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud, Alexis Saelemaekers and Tommaso Pobega.
Coming off an unconvincing win against Sampdoria, Stefano Pioli made just one change to Milan’s starting XI. In the attacking midfield, Brahim Diaz took over as the number ten, and Olivier Giroud returned to his usual position at centre-forward.
In the aftermath of its shocking victory over Chelsea, Zagreb again ran out a 3-5-2 formation. The lineup saw Luka Ivanusec in the attacking midfield, while his fellow Croatian international Mislav Orsic got the start as the left-sided forward.
#ACMGNKD: team news! ?@Brahim returns to the starting 11 ✨#UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/PdTJnLTRP9
— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 14, 2022
The First Half
Less than a minute into the match Milan nearly opened the scoring when Sandro Tonali played a quality ball over the top of the Zagreb backline. Olivier Giroud managed a shot from close-range, but the striker was unable to direct it into the net.
As the match progressed, Zagreb kept its wing-backs withheld, allowing Milan to dominate possession as the visitors sat back. The Croatians created a handful of chances, including one that forced Mike Maignan into a diving save at the near post, but the Rossoneri defense was more than capable of handling their efforts.
Later, Orsic nearly made the hosts pay for not taking their chances. He made a sharp cut around Calabria to create space and fired a curling effort at goal, but it flew just wide of the far post.
Minutes before the halftime whistle blew, Milan finally found the opening it needed. Centre-back Josip Sutalo clipped Rafael Leao in the box, and the referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. The challenge was rather weak, but VAR did not intervene, and Giroud easily converted the penalty kick. Milan went into the dressing room somewhat fortunate, but in front 1-0.
Just look what it means ?#ACMGKND #UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/5FpXMpDc8A
— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 14, 2022
The Second Half
After a disappointing first half, Milan came out firing on all cylinders. Just one minute into the second 45, Leao drove the ball into the box and launched a floating cross toward Alexis Saelemaekers. The Belgian somehow got his head onto it, beating Dominik Lovakovic in goal and bringing the score to 2-0.
However, Zagreb was quickly back into the match. Orsic and Petkovic combined for a brilliant one-two in the box, and the former easily converted from close-range, scoring his ninth goal in as many games.
With the match back into contention, Zagreb continued to press for an equalizer. Despite winning the battle for possession, the Rossoneri struggled to contain Orsic and Petkovic, whose strong creative abilities asked questions of the backline.
Stefano Pioli eventually removed Giroud and Sandro Tonali, and their replacements were able to see out the match. With 15 minutes remaining, Theo Hernandez found Pobega in the box, and the substitute sent a wicked shot bar-down, confirming the victory for the hosts.