Milan secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade at San Siro, keeping their Champions League aspirations alive and maintaining their momentum in the competition. Tammy Abraham emerged as the hero, scoring a late goal that sealed the win for Milan, which was their fourth consecutive victory in the Champions League. With the result, Milan now sit just one point away from automatic qualification for the knockout stages, with two games remaining in the group stage.
The match got off to an intense start, with Red Star Belgrade coming close to taking an early lead. Andrija Maksimovic's powerful volley rattled the crossbar, leaving Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan helpless. The visitors’ early dominance was a warning for Milan, but they responded strongly as the first half drew to a close. Just three minutes before halftime, Milan took the lead through Rafael Leao. Youssouf Fofana, who has been instrumental in Milan's attacking play recently, picked out Leao with a perfectly timed pass. Leao controlled the ball superbly and finished calmly into the top corner, marking his second consecutive Champions League goal.
The second half saw Red Star Belgrade come out with renewed energy and they found their equalizer in the 67th minute. Substitute Nemanja Radonjic fired a powerful left-footed shot that Maignan could not keep out, leveling the score at 1-1. As the match wore on, it seemed that a draw was on the cards, but Milan had other ideas. In the 82nd minute, Ivan Gutesa's header from a corner was deflected onto the crossbar by Red Star's defense, but Tammy Abraham reacted quickly, pouncing on the rebound to score from close range. Abraham’s goal was vital, securing the three points and extending Milan's winning streak to four Champions League matches—a feat not accomplished by the club since 2005.
Milan’s resurgence under coach Paulo Fonseca has been impressive. After a shaky start to his tenure, Fonseca has guided Milan to consistent performances, and the team now looks poised to challenge for a top-eight finish. This victory against Red Star is a testament to the team's resilience and growing confidence under his leadership.
Youssouf Fofana played a key role in Milan’s attacking play. His assist to Leao for the opening goal was his second Champions League assist to the Portuguese winger, showcasing their strong partnership. Fofana has now provided four assists in his last seven games across all competitions, matching his total assists from his previous 52 matches with Monaco and Milan combined. His contributions have been pivotal to Milan’s improved form, and his link-up play with Leao is becoming one of the most effective attacking partnerships in the tournament.
As Milan continues to build momentum, they will look to maintain their winning streak and secure their place among Europe’s elite teams. With two crucial group-stage matches left, the Rossoneri will aim to finish the group stage with maximum points and move on to the knockout rounds, where they will hope to continue their strong run and push for further success.
