Those believing that the Champions League Group E would be a stroll in the park for Chelsea and Milan were proven wrong right from matchday one as the English powerhouse shockingly lost in Zagreb while the Rossoneri had to break a sweat to salvage at least one point in Salzburg.
At the Red Bull Arena, Alexis Saelemaekers canceled Noah Okafor’s lead for the home side. Rafael Leao hit the post during added time but RB Salzburg also had multiple chances to find the back of the net again. Overall, Stefano Pioli could be happy with the game’s outcome.
The Austrian side were the first to score. It happened on 28 minutes as Pierre Kalulu lost a one-on-one duel with Okafor and the Swiss striker nutmegged Mike Maignan to open the scoring in RB Salzburg’s favor.
Not exactly the best start for Milan, but the Rossoneri had the merit of reacting fast and had their equalizer just 12 minutes later. Ismael Bennacer served Rafael Leao on the left and the Portuguese starlet whipped the ball in the box, finding Saelemaekers’ winning conversion.
After the restart, RB Salzburg showed that their first half goal had not happened by chance. Brazilian striker Fernando squandered a mouth-watering chance at Maignan’s far post, then the French goalkeeper had to go above and beyond to neutralize a Nicolas Seiwald screamer.
Brahim Diaz authored the Rossoneri‘s next scoring occasion but was blocked by goalkeeper Phillip Kohn. Then, Theo Hernandez sent a shiver down the Milan fans’ backs with a dreadful back pass that was intercepted by Benjamin Sesko. Good for him that the Slovenian’s curl sailed off target (but not by many inches…)
Rafael Leao came close to save the day for Pioli but his late shot crashed into the post after being deflected by the Austrian defense.
Milan will walk the Champions League stage again next week as they receive Dinamo Zagreb at the San Siro. The Croatian side wrapped the upset of the day as they beat Chelsea 1-0 earlier in the afternoon. The Rossoneri should better pay attention, especially after what seen tonight in Salzburg.
MATCH SCORECARD
September 6, 2022 – Champions 2022-2023 Group E
RB SALZBURG – MILAN 1-1
SCORERS: 6′ Mbappè (P), 23′ Mbappè (P), 53′ McKennie (J)
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RB SALZBURG (4-3-1-2): Kohn; Dedic, Solet, Wöber, Ulmer; Capaldo, Seiwald, Kjaergaard; Kameri (65′ Gourna-Duath); Okafor, Fernando (65′ Sesko) (Mantl, Walke, Van Der Brempt, Baidoo, Adamu, Simic, Diarra, Pavlovic, Bernardo) Coach: Jaissle |
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MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (57′ Dest), Kalulu, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer (57′ Pobega); Saelemaekers (80′ Messias), De Ketelaere (70′ Brahim Diaz), Rafael Leao; Giroud (57′ Origi) (Mirante, Jungdal, Ballo-Touré, Kjaer, Gabbia) Coach: Pioli |
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Capaldo, Gourna-Duath (R), Tomori, Brahim Diaz, Origi (M)
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