A clash between top of group H tonight, as AC Milan look to bounce back from last game’s downfall. Lille will try to repeat the performance of the first leg, where they won 3-0 at the San Siro.
Milan show up without their star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as well as Rafael Leao, both sidelined due to injury. Coach Stefano Pioli and his second are also absent due to catching coronavirus, as former player Daniele Bonera will guide the team tonight.
Lille found themselves without Renato Sanches, who picked up an injury with Portugal, and Zeki Celik, who has an ankle problem.
Edoardo Stella will take you trough the action as it happens.
Starting line-up for the home side:
Starting-line up for the visitors:
A man to watch tonight: Yusuf Yazici, who is the leading Europa League goalscorer with six goals so far, including a hat-trick in the game in Italy.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere is a deep minute of silence to say goodbye to one of the greatest: Diego Armando Maradona. A men who left an enormous mark in football and in society.
Embed from Getty Images1‘ We are in, the game is underway. Will we see another Lille monologue, or can Milan bounce back from the last game?
4‘ Lille have started in possession, but both teams are keeping organised. Just a few weeks ago the home side gave Milan their only defeat in 27 games. Milan’s previous defeat was all the way back in March.
6‘ Milan win their first corner of the night. Good initiative by Samu Castillejo to find Ante Rebic, who is closed on corner.
9‘ Static beginning. Milan are building confidence, but are making a few mistakes out of possession. Lille failed to capitalise on multiple occasions. It’s evident both teams try to concede very little.
11‘ Other risk form Milan! Sandro Tonali loses it out of possession, as Yazici shoots first time to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s almost open goal. His long shot ends not far wide. Milan are not moving a lot out of the ball.
12‘ Jeremy Pied is booked for holding Hakan Calhanoglu and stopping his forward run.
15‘ Meanwhile, in the other game of Group H Celtic take the lead against Sparta Prague. The situation before today was as followed: Lille 7, Milan 6, Sparta Prague 3, Celtic 1.
18‘ Other poor pass from Tonali to Rebic, as the Croatian is struggling to get into the game. It is surely very hard to replace Ibrahimovic, but Milan showed they can cope without his goals. The Swedish star has not found the net in the competition, while the team scored six overall.
Embed from Getty ImagesIbrahimovic came off injured on Sunday against Napoli. His carisma, style of play and goals have been crucial contributors to Milan’s stunning league form.
24‘ What a wasted opportunity! Calhanoglu’s quick pass forward is met by Jens Petter Hauge, who could not convert his following pass. It was a three v one run on goal, but Jose Fonte put a stop to it.
27‘ Lille are having their short spells of possession, but lack a clinical pass. Milan have had a lot more possession, but there is few movement up front and not much creativity offered by midfielders.
30‘ Lille finally shoot towards goal, but David’s hit is blocked by Diogo Dalot. It was a counterattack, as Rebic and Hauge had wasted another break forward.
34‘ Much better from the French side now. There is an offside from Jonathan Bamba at the end of it, but for the first time Lille are appearing more willing to keep the ball and play more smartly.
37‘ Donnarumma stretches. Luiz Araujo attempts a shot on the far post, but it is a relatively easy save from the Italian, who finally gets his gloves to action.
Embed from Getty Images40‘ Yazici comes past Simon Kjaer and tries to shoot, but the angle was against him and the ball ends wide. The hosts are being a lot more concrete than the visitors in this fraction of play.
42‘ Araujo really challenges Donnarumma now. The Brazilian uses Bamba’s lay-off pass to attempt a conclusion. This one is much more powerful and precise than the previous one. Very fine save from the No.99.
45‘ One minute of extra-time, with Lille finishing stronger. They have one last chance with a corner, their third of the night.
Half-time. LOSC Lille 0-0 AC Milan
A very quiet start for both sides, with Lille showing the upper hand in the later stages. However, whilst it is true Milan have really lowered their forward intensity with time, it appears that both teams are living off each other’s mistakes.
Only potential breaks are the highlights for the Rossoneri, while Lille have attempted some shots, with Araujo presenting as the most dangerous threat.
Milan have showed few of the confidence and willingness that is dominating Serie A now. It appears they are suffering Ibrahimovic’s absence heavily, as the forwards are very much not involved.
Brahim Diaz should be an important option on the bench, as the Spaniard is the competition’s leading goalscorer for Milan with two goals.
Second-half underway. It is a scintillating start.
46′ CASTILLEJO puts Milan in front! In one minute we saw exactly what had lacked in the first half, this is astonishing. Killer pass from Tonali to find Rebic, who is through on goal. Unlike Hauge, the Croatian finds Castillejo in the middle, who had previously struggled massively, to tap it in. 0-1.
Embed from Getty Images49‘ The goal destroyed all of Lille’s confidence that built-up in the final minutes. They have failed to win their last 14 European home games and the situation is compromised once more.
53‘ Araujo has another go, but Tonali deflects it. Lille are recovering after the shocking impact of Castillejo’s goal.
57‘ Bamba and Yazici waste two precious opportunities at the edge of the box. Milan have failed to slow the tempo down after the goal, as Lille are trying to level the score. Very high pace, but very low cynicism.
60‘ Two youngsters set to come on for Milan. Brahim Diaz and Lorenzo Colombo replace Rebic and Calhanoglu. Enthusiasm and exuberance, as the two add up to 39 years-old.
61‘ It is an interesting choice for Bonera. Hauge and Castillejo remain on, hinting there is a clear focus on turnover tonight.
63‘ Double change, as Boube Soumare and Jonathan Ikone come on for Lille
65‘ BAMBA draws! Crucial goal from the left-wing. Araujo crosses low, Jonathan David lays it and the Frenchman nets. 1-1 now.
67‘ Soumare receives a yellow card already. Disappointing performance tonight from Yazici, who came off just before the goal. The Turkish’s performance tonight does not reflect one of a competition’s top scorer.
Embed from Getty Images71‘ Dalot wins a corner. Lille are pushing forward with more players, leaving a lot of space. Tonali’s perfect pass for Castillejo’s goal was the sole example of concrete play for Milan, who struggle to convert those opportunities.
73‘ Colombo’s presence on the pitch now gives Milan a real number nine up front. Can this give them more organisation in attack?
75‘ Third substitution for Lille, with Isaac Lihadji coming on for Araujo. Good performance from the Brazilian, who tested Donnarumma multiple times and was widely involved.
76‘ Tonali takes a big risk by keeping the ball on the pitch and handing it to David. Bamba’s following shot goes miles over the bar.
77‘ Substitution, as Rade Krunic replaces Hauge. Poor display from the Norwegian wing, who had appeared brilliant in his previous games.
79′ Troubles for Lille, as goalkeeper Mike Maignan is down on the pitch. The hosts, however, use their final slot to bring on Tiago Djalo on the right-back position for Jeremy Pied.
82‘ With less than 10 minutes to go, the teams are sharing possession. Can there be a final swing?
86‘ Milan are forcing Lille in their own half. The Rossoneri are looking for a late goal to move up to first in the group.
89‘ It looks like Colombo has not managed to add depth to his side. Calhanoglu and Rebic are both very creative players and their absence is now felt. Very conservative approach from Milan’s coaching team.
90‘ Five minutes of added time.
92‘ Brahim Diaz is booked after stopping Bamba on a counter-attack. Bad foul from behind by the Spaniard, who gifts a potential occasion to the hosts.
94‘ Ikone hits the wall from a direct free-kick and his follow-up also is rebounded off. Poor effort from the midfielder.
Full-time. LOSC Lille 1-1 AC Milan.
It is a draw that does not hurt anyone, but tightens up the contest at the top of group H. The situation sees Lille with 8, Milan 7, Sparta Prague 6 and Celtic 1.
No team managed to come out on top tonight, with few spells of possession that lacked a final pass. Lille had more chances, but rarely looked like they held a upper hand.
Not the best of games from Milan, but one that could be of good omen. The only other time these sides met it was the 2006/07 Champions League group stage.
Lille won in Italy, while the two sides drew in France, just like this season. Milan went on to win the cup…
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