AC Milan’s Champions League Loss Will Cost Them Millions, And A Star.

Milan is in danger of losing to Borussia Dortmund at home in their group stage match, less than seven months after they advanced to the Champions League semifinal.

Following Milan’s 3-1 loss to the German team, a near-miracle will be needed if the Rossoneri are to advance to the competition’s knockout stages. Within the first ten minutes of play, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel easily saved Olivier Giroud’s penalty, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The game felt unfinished even after Samuel Chukwueze reminded everyone why Milan purchased him in the summer with a spectacular goal that saw him maneuver through two Dortmund defenders, operate in the tightest of angles, and angle the ball into the opposite corner to equalize.

They were never truly in charge of the encounter, save for the handful of minutes following Chukwueze’s goal.

Milan showed attacking intent without Rafael Leao, with the team’s talisman out through injury. This is the good news for Stefano Pioli, who for so long wanted more from his attacking players as the play became too focused on Leao. Over the past few years, Pioli’s side have been too easy to read: stop Leao and you most likely stop Milan. Christian Pulisic and Chukwueze showed that they can be a force without the Portuguese ace.