Pro Sports

Milan on verge of return to last 16 after 4-0 win at Dinamo

Posted October 25, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

AC Milan's Rafael Leao scores his side's second goal during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan in Zagreb, Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) - Seven-time European champion AC Milan is on the verge of returning to the Champions League knockout stage for the first time in nine years.

A second-half goal from Rafael LeÃ£o helped Milan to a dominant 4-0 win at Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday to move into second spot in Group E. The Rossoneri now just need to avoid defeat at home to Salzburg next week to secure their spot in the last 16.

'œIt was an important victory, one that counts a lot,'ť Milan coach Stefano Pioli said. 'œWe are aware of our quality, but the decisive match will be against Salzburg, because that will allow us to do better than last season.

'œI don't know if being able to draw as well as win is a double-edged sword, but we're not mentally or tactically built to try to manage matches in that way, we have to play to our best to win.'ť

Matteo Gabbia gave Milan the lead before LeÃ£o's solo effort and a penalty by Olivier Giroud. Dinamo midfielder Robert LjubiÄiÄ‡ had conceded the penalty and he also scored an own goal as his side fell to its first home defeat of the year.

Chelsea beat Salzburg in the other match in the group to secure its spot in the next round.

Before Gabbia opened the scoring he saved Milan at the other end, with a goal-line clearance to keep out Sadegh Moharrami's header with goalkeeper Ciprian TÄƒtÄƒruÈ™anu stranded.

Milan was dominating and finally found its way through via an unlikely source, six minutes before halftime. Gabbia had only scored one club goal in his professional career - in the Italian third division, more than four years ago - but got his second with a diving header at the back post after a free kick by Sandro Tonali.

Milan doubled its lead four minutes after the break. LeÃ£o gathered the ball in his own half and raced down the left, beating four defenders before slotting into the near bottom corner.

LeÃ£o has scored five goals in Serie A this season but it was his first in Europe this campaign.

And Milan was out of sight by the 59th minute when Tonali was brought down by LjubiÄiÄ‡ and Giroud converted the resulting penalty.

Matters got even worse for LjubiÄiÄ‡ 10 minutes later as he tried to clear LeÃ£o's cut-back but the ball ricocheted off him and into the back of the net.

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AC Milan's Rafael Leao, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan in Zagreb, Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan in Zagreb, Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

AC Milan's Matteo Gabbia scores his side's opening goal during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan in Zagreb, Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

AC Milan's manager Stefano Pioli looks out from the bench before the Champions League Group E soccer match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan in Zagreb, Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

AC Milan's Matteo Gabbia, top, duels for the ball with Dinamo's Bruno Petkovic during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan in Zagreb, Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

AC Milan's Olivier Giroud, front, duels for the ball with Dinamo's Josip Sutalo during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan in Zagreb, Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

AC Milan's Matteo Gabbia, front right, duels for the ball with Dinamo's Bruno Petkovic during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan in Zagreb, Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

AC Milan's Ante Rebic, right, duels for the ball with Dinamo's Dino Peric during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan in Zagreb, Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

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