The UEFA Champions League returned to action on matchday five, and Borussia Dortmund had a pivotal clash against AC Milan. These are two of the teams in the proverbial Group of Death with PSG and Newcastle. With a win on Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund secured a spot in the knockout stages with a game to spare. Milan slumped to the bottom of the group because of a draw against Newcastle. However, PSG, Newcastle and Milan are still alive when it comes to reaching the round of 16.
This shapes up a dramatic final day in two weeks. Borussia Dortmund welcomes PSG. The German side is already through, but it is yet to lock up the top spot in the group. Therefore, it still has something to play for. In the round of 16 draw, group winners cannot play group winners.
Milan has the slimmest of chances to qualify. Not only does it have to win at Newcastle, but it needs Dortmund to beat PSG.
Borussia Dortmund dispatches Milan at the San Siro
The game started with each team earning a penalty with no hesitation from the center referee. Samuel Chukwueze forced a handball from the Dortmund defense. However, Olivier Giroud stepped up to take the penalty, and Gregor Kobel denied the Frenchman. At the other end, Marco Reus converted his penalty to give Borussia Dortmund the lead.
Chukwueze did eventually score for Milan to level the contest. Strong footwork allowed the Nigerian to create a shooting opportunity that he blasted into Dortmund’s net.
In the second half, Dortmund converted all of its chances, while Milan left its begging. Teenage sensation Jamie Bynoe-Gittens restored Borussia Dortmund’s lead in the second half. A well-worked team goal had a clever finish from the Englishman to give Dortmund the lead.
Dortmund wrapped the game up as second-half substitute Karim Adeyemi iced the game. A strong finish beat the desperate attempt of Mike Maignan to keep the ball out. With the game put to bed, the attention of fans then shifted to France. Milan hoped for either a Newcastle win or a draw to keep its chances of qualifying alive.
For much of that time, Newcastle was winning. However, a moment of controversy transpired in stoppage time. Tino Livramento handled the ball in the box after the ball deflected off his body. The modern rules of the game deemed the situation a handball. Kylian Mbappe stepped up to convert the penalty. That game finished at 1-1.
Setting up the final matchday in Group F
As stated, PSG will travel to Borussia Dortmund to close out its group stage. PSG controls its destiny if it is to qualify. Newcastle hosts Milan, but both of those teams can qualify if PSG drops points. Still, finishing third in the group would mean relegation to the Europa League Playoffs, which is still a worthy competition.
FULL TIME: AC Milan 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
It is final at San Siro, and Borussia Dortmund is through to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. Milan sinks to the bottom of the group, while controversy ensues in Paris.
PSG has drawn level with Newcastle after a stoppage-time penalty, and PSG will still have a chance to go for the winner. Based on goal differential, a draw in that game keeps Milan on the bottom. If PSG wins, Milan retains third.
90' Six minutes of stoppage time
Even with so many minutes, it look unlikely for AC Milan to pull out any result. Dortmund is not controlling the ball, much to the frustration of a dissipating home crowd.
88' Dortmund cruising away
Karim Adeyemi is looking sensational. Already with a goal, he nearly turned provider, if not for the crossbar. He skins two Milan defenders before squaring to Niclas Fullkrug. The German international pounds a shot into the crossbar, and it deflects away.
85' Milan hits the woodwork
Luka Jovic has a wonderful effort hit the post as Kobel was beaten. However, the ball hits the woodwork square, and Dortmund is able to clear the ball away to safety.
79' Marco Reus departs
Reus, who has a goal and assist in this game, departs with a small knock with just over 10 minutes to go. In steps Julian Brandt, who is perhaps Dortmund's best player with the ball.
70' Tomori injury scare
To make matters worse for Milan, Fikayo Tomori went down in the build-up with an injury. Fortunately for Milan, he is able to carry on. There are no other center-backs in Milan's matchday squad.
69' GOAL BORUSSIA DORTMUND
It is the halftime substitute, Karim Adeyemi, to give Borussia Dortmund a two-goal advantage! Adeyemi receives the ball from Marco Reuys outside the box. He cuts onto his right foot just inside the D and he launches a shot on goal.
Mike Maignan gets a solid hand on the ball. However, he can only bump it into the ground. He goes to scramble it off his line, but the referee's watch says the ball crossed the line entirely.
3-1 to the visitors.
67' The first yellow card of the game
Fikayo Tomori is the first to pick up a yellow card just before an AC Milan corner for a swipe of the left hand. The hosts are desperately pushing for an equalizer and a potential win.
59' GOAL BORUSSIA DORTMUND
It's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to restore Dortmund's lead! The Englishman is waiting just inside the 18-yard box, where he is the finisher on some quick play from Dortmund.
The Englishman tucks the ball away with a well-placed shot in the lower right side of Maignan's net.
2-1 Dortmund.
57' Milan wasteful on the counterattack!
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is through in an odd-man rush for Milan. With three attackers against one defender, Loftus-Cheek takes a heavy touch and the ball spills away for a corner.
49' Overhead kick from Pulisic!
A lofted cross from Davide Calabria is deflected to the back post where Pulisic is waiting for it. The American goes for the dramatic and connects superbly. Dortmund defenders get in the way to force a corner.
46' The ball is rolling in the second half
We have 45 minutes to determine a winner between Milan and Dortmund. In the other contest, PSG remains behind, which means Milan is at the bottom of the group.
First-half stats
Milan has a total of nine shots, with three of those going on target. Both totals exceed Borussia Dortmund, which has two shots on target. Yet, the only one that truly matters is goals, which is where teams are level.
Milan has held marginally more of the ball. Also, surprisingly, there have only been six fould in the game with no yellow cards.
Hopefully the intensity can stay up in the second half of this big game.
HALFTIME: AC Milan 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
AC Milan arguably had the better of the two in the first half, and it deserved the lead. However, Gregor Kobel's early penalty save ensured that the German club maintained a level scoreline going into the half.
Julian Brandt could be coming on to provide some life in the midfield for Dortmund, as he started on the bench.
45'+3 Milan chance goes just wide!
Christian Pulisic plays in a phenomenal ball to the back post Davide Calabria. The header is a weak one though that leaves the cross begging. Calabria's shot trickles wide of the post, as if he was in two minds to shoot and center the ball.
42' Chukwueze carving up Dortmund
The best attacks for Milan are coming down the right-hand side now. Chukwueze does well to set up Yacine Adli, but Adli's shot is blocked.
38' GOAL AC MILAN
A terrific solo effort from Samuel Chukwueze! The Nigerian splits three Dortmund defenders before unloading a venomous strike across the face of goal to level the game.
31' Gregor Kobel with an injury
A collision between Chukwueze and Kobell leaves the goalkeeper injured. It appears the medical staff is tending to the Swiss goalkeeper's wrist.
27' Olivier Giroud denied by the defense
A clever ball into Giroud looks like it could lead to an attack. However, Nico Schlotterbeck does well to block his eventual shot, and Kobel covers.
Also, keeping an eye on the other game in this group, Newcastle has an early lead on the road against PSG. As is stands, Milan would be at the bottom of the group.
24' Maignan stops an attack
Dortmund has been quick and effective in its attempts. Once again barging down its left side, Mike Maignan makes a strong interception with his hands on a square ball that sniffs out an attack.
23' Pulisic forces a save
Milan has had a few chances in the last several minutes. None of them have been overly dangerous. Christian Pulisic eventually fires a shot that is a comfortable save for Kobel in net.
19' Dortmund narrowly misses another
Dortmund is looking dangerous each time it goes forward. Again, it is Jamie Bynoe-Gittens giving Calabria problems. The Englishman cuts inside and fires a shot that whistles just above the crossbar.
13' Milan already pushing
The early deficit has inspired Milan. The entire Milan side except for the goalkeeper is working to retain possession in the Dortmund half.
Christian Pulisic also has a moment of frustration as he collides with the official during an attack.
10' GOAL BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Marco Reus makes no mistake from the penalty spot. Mike Maignan guesses the right way, but Reus' penalty is in too good of a spot for the French goalkeeper.
Dortmund leads on the road, 1-0.
9' Dortmund earns a penalty!
Just minutes after Kobel kept the game scoreless, Borussia Dortmund has a penalty opportunity of its own.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens enters the penalty box, and Davide Calabria bundles him over. Again, no hesitation for the referee.
7' PENALTY SAVED
Olivier Giroud steps up to take the spot kick. He goes to his lower left side. However, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel guesses correctly and parries the ball away.
6' An early penalty to Milan!
Samuel Chukwueze fires a shot on the edge of the area. Mats Hummels steps across to block the shot, but his arm is outstretched. The ball clamors off his arm, and the referee makes no hesitation. It is a penalty.
1' KICKOFF
And the game has officially underway. Both clubs are in their recognizable kits, with AC Milan sporting its patented Red and Black. Dortmund, fittingly, is in its bright yellow strip.
Almost underway!
The San Siro is bumping ahead of a crucial game in the UEFA Champions League. In true Italian fashion, the fans in attendance belt out 'THE CHAMPIONS' at the end of the competition's anthem.
Entering on fine form
Both Milan and Dortmund returned from the November international break with impressive results. Dortmund scored four goals en route to a win over Borussia Monchengladbach. A 1-0 win over Fiorentina allowed Milan to close the gap on Juventus and Inter Milan in Serie A.
Simultaneous kickoffs of note
We are now 40 minutes from kickoff at San Siro. However, we are also approaching the beginning of another significant game. PSG hosts Newcastle United at 3 p.m. as well. With three points separating Newcastle at the bottom and Dortmund at the top, the Magpies need a result to keep their chances of qualifying alive.
That game is also exclusive to Paramount+ and ViX.
Both clubs unveil starting lineups
Yunus Musah starts on the bench, but Americans can keep an eye on Christian Pulisic. Also, Gio Reyna will also be a substitute for Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
Pivotal contest in Champions League 'Group of Death'
Matchday five could be decisive in the UEFA Champions League. With a win and a loss from Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund would advance to the knockout stage for the second-straight season. However, Milan wants to ensure it can still advance, and a win can bump the Italian side above Dortmund in the group standings.
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