American star Christian Pulisic scored a crucial goal, but it wasn’t enough to prevent AC Milan from falling to a 3-1 defeat against Liverpool in their Champions League group stage opener at San Siro. The result leaves both teams with a mountain to climb to qualify for the knockout stages.
The match started with a bang as Milan took the lead in the 17th minute. Pulisic, who joined Milan from Chelsea this summer, found the net with a well-placed finish from inside the box after a clever pass from Rafael Leao. The goal ignited the San Siro crowd and put Milan in a promising position.
However, Liverpool responded quickly, equalizing just six minutes later through Diogo Jota. The Portuguese forward’s goal dampened the home side’s spirits, and the match remained evenly poised.
The second half saw a more open and attacking game, with both teams creating chances. Liverpool eventually took the lead in the 74th minute when Mohamed Salah converted a penalty after a foul by Milan defender Theo Hernandez. The goal proved to be the decisive moment of the match as Milan were unable to find an equalizer.
Pulisic, who has been adjusting to life in Italy after his move from Chelsea, showed glimpses of his quality throughout the match. His goal was a positive sign for Milan fans, who are hoping to see him become a key player for the club.
Despite the defeat, Milan can take some positives from the match. They showed that they are capable of competing at the highest level of European football and that they have a talented squad. However, they will need to improve their defensive solidity and clinical finishing if they want to challenge for the Champions League title.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be pleased with the result. The win gives them a valuable three points and puts them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages. However, they will need to be wary of their opponents in Group B, which also includes Real Madrid and Salzburg.
The Champions League group stage is set to be a thrilling competition, with plenty of twists and turns to come. Milan and Liverpool will both be hoping to bounce back from their opening-day results and secure their place in the knockout stages.
