AC Milan Secure First Win with 3-1 Triumph
AC Milan got their Champions League campaign on track with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Club Brugge at the San Siro on Tuesday, thanks to a standout performance from midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutchman scored twice in the second half, netting in the 61st and 71st minutes, to hand Milan their first points in this year’s competition.
Reijnders’ brace came after Milan had struggled against a resilient Brugge side, who equalized through Kyriani Sabbe shortly after halftime, following Christian Pulisic’s opening goal directly from a corner in the 34th minute. Despite being down to 10 men from the 40th minute, after Raphael Onyedika was sent off for a reckless challenge, Brugge held their ground until Reijnders’ fine strikes tipped the balance.
The match also saw a moment of near history when 16-year-old Francesco Camarda thought he had become the youngest scorer in Champions League history with a late header, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Camarda’s effort highlighted Milan’s potential, but the disallowed goal slightly dampened the celebrations.
Tuesday’s win was crucial for Milan, especially with a challenging trip to Real Madrid next on their schedule. Dropping points at home could have jeopardized their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds.
However, there were some negatives surrounding the match. A notably low crowd of 58,649 turned up at the San Siro, well below the usual 70,000 that Milan often draw for league games. This was partly due to a protest by Milan’s ultras, who stood in silence for the second consecutive match in response to steep ticket prices. Fans were particularly upset over pricing for Milan’s upcoming match against Juventus, where tickets range from 100 to 479 euros.
While Milan’s victory provided a much-needed boost on the pitch, the ongoing ticketing controversy has raised questions about the club’s relationship with its core supporters. Many fans feel that the club is prioritizing wealthier, less loyal visitors over its passionate base. This issue has been exacerbated by the proposed new stadium project with Inter Milan, which includes concerns about reduced capacity and more expensive hospitality seating.
Milan’s ultras and loyal supporters will be watching closely to see how these issues develop, as the club navigates both on-field success and off-field challenges.
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