The match started at a slow tempo, with Milan’s Rafael Leao registering the first chance of the game. After making a well-timed run through the Red Star defense, Leao’s shot was saved and sent behind for a corner. Not long after, Red Star nearly shocked Milan when they hit the bar through a powerful strike from Maksimovic. Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was beaten, but the ball rebounded off the woodwork, keeping the score level.
It wasn’t until the 42nd minute that the deadlock was finally broken. Milan’s Amad Fofana produced a brilliant pass into Leao’s path, and the Portuguese winger did not hesitate, controlling the ball with a deft touch before lifting it past Red Star goalkeeper Gutesa to give Milan a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Milan press for a second goal, with Abraham coming close at the back post but getting his legs tangled, missing a golden opportunity to double the advantage. Despite Milan's dominance, Red Star responded strongly. In the 60th minute, they pulled level through an exquisite strike from Radonjic. The Serbian forward intercepted a loose ball from Yunus Musah on the edge of the box and fired a thunderous shot past Maignan with his left foot, equalizing for the visitors.
With time ticking away and the game looking set to end 1-1, Milan’s relentless pressure finally paid off. In the 87th minute, Gutesa was forced into a save, parrying a shot onto the crossbar. Abraham was in the right place at the right time, finishing from close range to give Milan the lead once again. Red Star threw everything they had at the Milan defense, but it was to no avail, as the final whistle blew with Milan securing a 2-1 win.
The victory marked Milan's fourth consecutive Champions League win, their best run since a five-match streak between February and April 2005. Their performance also saw them generate 2.13 xG (expected goals), showing their attacking dominance throughout the match. In contrast, Red Star struggled to break down Milan’s defense, with only 0.48 xG generated from their efforts.
For Crvena Zvezda, it was a bitter defeat, as they extended their dismal away record in the Champions League. The Serbian side has now lost all 12 of their away matches in the competition, the worst away record in its history. This defeat also means Red Star became just the second team to lose away at both AC Milan and Inter Milan in the same Champions League season, after Ajax in 2002-03.
With this win, Milan not only strengthened their position in the Champions League standings but also extended their impressive form, making them one of the teams to watch this season. For Red Star, the defeat will serve as another lesson in their difficult European campaign.
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