AC Milan beat Slavia Praha in 6-goal thriller – Europa League Highlights

AC Milan put up a six-goal thriller, and the Serie A giants set one foot in the Europa League quarter-finals after beating Slavia Praha in the first leg of the Round of 16.

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AC Milan 4-2 Slavia Praha – Europa League Round of 16 1st leg

Rossoneri established a two-goal advantage before the return leg with four different scorers over ten-man Slava Praha at San Siro.

AC Milan - All smiles after Europa League round of 16 1st leg victories-min
AC Milan – All smiles after Europa League round of 16 1st leg victories-min

David Douděra’s volley canceled out Olivier Giroud’s opener before Tijjani Reijnders and Ruben Loftus-Cheek put the hosts in control. Although Ivan Schranz pulled one back, Christian Pulisic restored the Rossoneri’s cushion late on.

The victory marked Milan’s seventh win in seven meetings with the Czech sides on home soil.

Highlights

The away side had to play for over an hour with ten men after El Hadji Malick Diouf was shown a straight red card for a dangerous foul on Christian Pulisic.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Prague competed well and found the net twice, courtesy of David Doudera and Ivan Schranz.

But Milan eventually won 4-2 convincingly and let the door wide open for quarter-finals, despite having to travel to Czech in the return leg.

Former Chelsea players Olivier Giroud, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Pulisic scored three of Milan’s four goals. Tijjani Reijnders was Milan’s other scorer.

Tension between Leao and Pulisic over the 85th goal?

There was reportedly tension between Rafael Leao and Pulisic when the American winger scored a late goal following the sublime footwork by the Portuguese.

Leao had looked set to score himself after dribbling past Tomas Vlcek and chipping a shot over keeper Jindrich Stanek.

Leao or Pulisis scored for Milan-min
Leao or Pulisis scored for Milan-min

But a flying Pulisic got the final touch from close range to register his ninth goal since moving to Milan.

According to CBS Sports and claimed by Ex-USMNT forward Charlie Davies, Leao “didn’t look too happy” after Pulisic “stole” the goal from him.

Davies also suggested that “there is a little tension” between teammates Leao and Pulisic.

He added, “We’ve seen that in previous matches, Leao doesn’t look to pass to Christian Pulisic in many opportunities; he takes it on his own. Even if Christian’s open, he’d rather take a shot for himself.”

The second leg will take place in the Czech Republic on March 14.

Other results from the Europa League

  • Sparta Praha 1-5 Liverpool
  • Roma 4-0 Brighton
  • Qarabağ 2-2 Leverkusen
  • Marseille 4-0 Villarreal
  • Benfica 2-2 Rangers
  • Freiburg 1-0 West Ham
  • AC Milan 4-2 Slavia Praha
  • Sporting CP 1-1 Atalanta

Milan’s neighbors, AS Roma also grabbed a fine win at home against English Premier League Brighton.

Atalanta is the only Serie A side that could not win in the first leg as they were held by Sporting 1-1.