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Published: 11:15, November 04, 2021
Porto earn draw at AC Milan to leave Italians on brink of exit
By Reuters
Published:11:15, November 04, 2021 By Reuters

Milan's Ismael Bennacer (right) fights for the ball with Porto's Luis Diaz during the Champions League group B soccer match between AC Milan and Porto at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy onb Nov 3, 2021. (LUCA BRUNO / AP)

MILAN - AC Milan earned their first Champions League point of the season with a 1-1 draw against Porto at San Siro on Wednesday, but the result left the seven-time European champions on the brink of elimination.

Luis Diaz struck after six minutes to put the Portuguese side in front and they dominated the first half against an under-par Rossoneri side.

An own goal from Chancel Mbemba drew Milan level after the break and Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a goal ruled out for offside, but the Italians’ wait for a victory goes on.

“It’s tough against teams who are used to Champions League football like Porto or Atletico Madrid. Experience is important,” Milan striker Olivier Giroud told Canal Plus.

“We are a young team but I don’t want to make excuses. We also needed a little more luck. We have played some good matches.”

It is the first time in Milan’s history that they have failed to win any of their opening four Champions League games.

It’s tough against teams who are used to Champions League football like Porto or Atletico Madrid. Experience is important ... We are a young team but I don’t want to make excuses. We also needed a little more luck. We have played some good matches.

Olivier Giroud, Milan striker

They now must pick up maximum points in their remaining Group B games away to Atletico and at home to Liverpool to stand any chance of progressing to the last-16.

Porto rose to second place with five points, four ahead of bottom side Milan.

ALSO READ: AC Milan re-sign Chelsea's Bakayoko on loan

Group leaders Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 to seal top spot with 12 points, leaving the Spaniards third with four points.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t win. I’m not happy, I hate moral victories, but we have to accept it. We were up against high-quality opposition,” Porto coach Sergio Conceicao said.

Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli sprang some surprises by leaving regular starters like Ibrahimovic, Franck Kessie and Simon Kjaer on the bench, possibly with an eye towards Sunday’s crucial Serie A derby against rivals Inter Milan.

The hosts were on the back foot from the start, as Evanilson threatened by shooting into the side netting inside the opening minute before Marko Grujic won the ball high up the pitch and picked out the unmarked Diaz, who finished calmly.

Grujic was twice denied by Ciprian Tatarusanu saves, while a Giroud shot that required a smart stop from Diogo Costa was the Rossoneri’s only chance of note before the break.

Porto were inches away from doubling their advantage early in the second half when Evanilson’s header hit the top of the bar, but Milan fought their way back into the game against the run of play in the 61st minute.

READ MORE: Giroud double fires AC Milan to win over Cagliari

Giroud’s shot was saved by Costa but parried into the path of substitute Pierre Kalulu, who fired the ball back across the face of goal and Mbemba stuck out a leg to divert it into his own net.

Ibrahimovic’s introduction for the final 15 minutes injected some spark as the Swede netted on a rebound after his initial shot was charged down by Costa, but the goal was disallowed.

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