AC Milan finally secured their first Champions League win of the season, defeating Club Brugge 3-1 at the San Siro, with Tijjani Reijnders stepping up as the hero, netting two crucial goals.
The Rossoneri’s breakthrough came in unusual fashion when Christian Pulisic delivered a curling corner kick that bypassed everyone at the near post, nestling into the net to give Milan an early lead.
The momentum shifted further in their favour when Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika was shown a straight red card for a reckless studs-up challenge, leaving the visitors with ten men.
Despite the disadvantage, Club Brugge fought back courageously, leveling the match through Sabbe, much to the surprise of the home supporters.
However, Milan’s substitutes Noah Okafor and Samuel Chukwueze made immediate impacts. Both players provided assists for Tijjani Reijnders, who scored twice in quick succession, securing the victory for Milan and leaving Brugge with little time to respond.
Youngster Francesco Camarda came close to etching his name into Champions League history when he headed in a cross that sent the San Siro into wild celebrations, only for VAR to rule the goal offside, denying him a historic debut goal.
Head coach Paulo Fonseca made five changes to the line-up from their weekend clash with Udinese, rotating his squad once again.
Matteo Gabbia and Fikayo Tomori were introduced as the central defensive pair, while Theo Hernandez returned to left-back, his Serie A suspension not applying in European competition.
Rafael Leao and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also recalled to the starting XI, providing fresh legs in key areas.
The visitors came out strong, nearly shocking the San Siro faithful in the opening moments. Christos Tzolis had the first sight of goal, firing a low shot from the left side of the penalty area that forced Mike Maignan into an early save.
Just moments later, a cut-back found Ferran Jugtlà in the box, but his first-time shot flew over the bar, letting Milan off the hook.
Rafael Leao found space to exploit down the left wing, yet it was Club Brugge who came closest to breaking the deadlock twice more.
Tzolis unleashed a curling effort from the edge of the box that seemed destined for the far corner, only for Maignan to make a brilliant fingertip save.
From the resulting corner, Onyedika came agonizingly close to scoring, striking the crossbar with a powerful long-range shot from over 25 yards.
Milan eventually settled into the rhythm of the game and began creating chances of their own.
In the 15th minute, Youssouf Fofana drove forward uncontested through the midfield but couldn’t keep his effort on target from outside the box.
Minutes later, Milan threatened from a set piece, with a recycled corner leading to Gabbia heading just wide of the post.
Simon Mignolet, Brugge’s goalkeeper, was called into action soon after, making a smart save with his legs to deny Christian Pulisic after a fluid combination on the edge of the box involving Leao.
