AC MILAN CLINCH QUALIFICATION WITH 4-2 WIN

A vital win secured qualification for AC Milan on Thursday as the Rossoneri beat Celtic 4-2 at San Siro. Thanks to this victory, as well as Lille’s 2-1 success over Sparta Prague, Milan are now through to the Europa League knock-out stages after a three-year absence. It was an evening to savour for Milan, which surpassed the competition’s second hurdle in progressing past the group stage. However, it wasn’t all easy against the Scots, with the opponents taking an early two-goal lead after just 14 minutes. The Rossoneri then finally came to life, with goals from Çalhanoğlu and Castillejo getting the hosts back level. In the second half, Hauge's heroics made the difference, as he scored the third with an extraordinary individual effort, first, and then teed up Díaz for the fourth. The only disappointment of the night was an injury for Kjær. Overall, it wasn’t the team’s best performance of the season but the momentum is there and with room to improve. From the team’s five matches so far in Group H, the Diavolo are second on 10 points, one point behind Lille and four ahead of Sparta Prague. The latter will be our next opponents in the group on Thursday at 21:00 CET, in what will be an important game to try to secure top spot. However, our attention now turns back to Serie A, with a trip to face Sampdoria at the Ferraris on Sunday at 20:45 CET.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN V CELTIC

MATCH REPORT

It was the worst of starts for Milan on Thursday, as Celtic opened the scoring through Rogić in the seventh minute who found the corner with a precise finish. Rogić then went close once again three minutes later but narrowly missed the target. Not long after that Kjær was forced off due to a muscle injury, with Romagnoli his replacement. Still on the front foot, Celtic’s McGregor forced a key save from Donnarumma in the 13th minute before the away side then scored their second one minute later. Édouard was the scorer, doubling the lead with a close-range finish. It was then in the 24th minute that Milan’s comeback finally got underway, scoring two goals in as many minutes. Çalhanoğlu first found the back of the net with a free-kick, after which Castillejo dispatched an uncleared cross from Hernández in the 26th minute. Samu had another chance right on the half-hour mark but the opportunity was wasted. The half-time break saw Milan bring on Tonali in place of Krunić, with the Rossoneri then taking the lead for the first time in the 50th minute. This stemmed from a fantastic solo effort from Hauge, who danced past opponents from the left before slotting the ball into the bottom corner at the far post. The opposition never gave up and came close through Christie in the 73rd minute, although Donnarumma pulled off another top save. Milan’s fourth came in the 82nd minute after Hauge teed up Díaz to execute a cheeky finish. The full-time whistle went with Milan securing a 4-2 win. 

AC MILAN 4-2 CELTIC

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Dalot, Kjær (12' Romagnoli), Gabbia, Hernández; Kessie (61' Bennacer), Krunić (46' Tonali); Castillejo, Çalhanoğlu (61' Díaz), Hauge; Rebić (83' Colombo). Subs: A. Donnarumma, Tătărușanu; Calabria, Duarte, Kalulu; Saelemaekers; Maldini. Coach: Pioli.

CELTIC (4-2-3-1): Barkas; Elhamed, Bitton, Ajer, Laxalt; McGregor, Brown (78' Soro); Christie (86' Klimala), Rogić (67' Ntcham), Frimpong; Édouard. Subs: Bain, Hazard; Jullien, Taylor, Welsh; Henderson; Ajeti. Coach: Lennon.

Referee: Ricardo de Burgos (ESP).
Goals: 7' Rogić (C), 14' Édouard (M), 24' Çalhanoğlu (M), 26' Castillejo (M), 50' Huage (M), 82' Díaz (M).
Booked: 23' Christie (C), 67' Rogić (C), 75' Brown (C).

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