It had to be him. Having done next to nothing all match against a dogged and determined AC Milan, Luis Suarez’s penalty put the icing on a fine Champions League night for Liverpool.
Milan had done everything to win the match, and thoroughly deserved to do so, but where there is Suarez, there is drama, as his 97th-minute penalty gave Atletico Madrid a 2-1 win in the San Siro, leaving their opponents pointless in Group B and giving Liverpool’s prospects of reaching the knockout stages a further helping hand.
An occasion like this had been a long time coming in Milan. It had been seven years since a pre-Chelsea Diego Costa earned Atletico a 1-0 win in the Rossoneri’s last Champions League encounter in their iconic stadium, and their fans were determined to make the most of it.
Shopping is such an art form in Milan that they call their malls “gallerias”, and their most famous one, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, was awash with a sea of red and black stripes ahead of kick off.
But rather than it be trashed by can-swilling English fans, the Italians prepare for big matches with a much more serene espresso or two, taking in the glorious surroundings.
The array of different names on the back of the Milan shirts typified the dearth of big-name talent Milan has had in the last decade, as their prestige slipped.
Ronaldinho was common, as was Kaka, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, out injured at the moment, the only member of the current Milan incumbent represented en masse.
The awe-inspiring sight of the San Siro, where many English sides have been slain down the years by the seven-time European champions, was abuzz ahead of the match. Stadiums are only permitted to be 50 per cent full in Italy, but the majority of those concentrated together in a packed Curva Sud and roared out their team for the warm-up like they had just won the entire competition.
The message was a simple one when the Curva unveiled their banner, in English, pre-match: “Milan is back”. We can forgive the “is” over “are” in a second language.
That welcome got the hosts right up for the encounter with Rafael Leao drilling home in the 20th minute to spark pandemonium, and flares, in the stands.
That euphoria was short-lived, however, as the referee who sent Nani off against Real Madrid in 2013 – a decision that still irks Manchester United fans to this day – dismissed Franck Kessie for two quickfire bookings inside 30 minutes.
Atletico, however, struggled to break down the determined hosts, and waited until the end of the half for a decent chance, with Suarez volleying wide.
Milan retreated as the match wore on, but Antoine Griezmann’s first goal since returning to Atletico from Barcelona broke Milan hearts six minutes from time, before Suarez, following Pierre Kalulu’s handball, snatched the most undeserved of victories for Atletico.
Liverpool still have to come to San Siro in their final group match, where 75 per cent of fans are set to be permitted. It could have been as close to a cauldron-like atmosphere as you could get, but thanks to their controversial former fan favourite, they could well be left to enjoy the occasion, with their job already done.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3ASpgyw
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