AC Milan breezed past Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night to take a step towards qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Champions League. Stefano Pioli watched on as his Rossoneri eventually claimed a 4-0 win.
It ended in comfortable fashion for the Serie A champions but the first half saw them frustrated for longer than they would have hoped. After Matteo Gabbia bravely headed them in front with just over five minutes to play before half time, though, there was only eve going to be one winner in Croatia. Gabbia’s goal, incidentally, was his first for the club.
Rafael Leao doubled AC Milan’s lead with a well-taken finish after a huge slice of good luck saw him presented with an opening to get into the box. Olivier Giroud converted a penalty for the third, and Robert Ljubicic – who, despite also conceding the penalty, had put in a good shift and was probably Dinamo’s best performer on the night – haplessly turned into his own goal in comical fashion for Milan’s fourth.
More than enough chances
Milan ended the night with a comprehensive 4-0 win, and they will still feel as though they left something behind in Zagreb as they had several chances to really humiliate their hosts.
Giroud alone could have added two or three more for himself, Tommaso Pobega had a fine finish chalked off for offside after being found by fellow substitute Divock Origi, and Ante Rebic sent a shot wide when he really should have hit the target while also passing up on the option to tee up either of the two teammates he had joining him with an open goal to tap into.
AC Milan need a point to qualify
AC Milan now host RB Salzburg in the final round of Champions League group fixtures knowing that a draw will be enough to see them through alongside early group winners Chelsea.
Salzburg will travel to the Stadio San Siro on Wednesday, November 2 knowing a win will see them through at the Italians’ expense though.
Having beaten Dinamo twice, Milan have the advantage over the Croatians.
