The "Blues", after their difficult start in C1 having cost Thomas Tuchel his place, have completely recovered thanks to their two clear successes in less than a week against the "Rossoneri" (3-0 in the first leg at Stamford Bridge).

They are one point ahead of RB Salzburg and three ahead of Milan and Dinamo Zagreb in a group still open two days to go.

With the support of some 70,000 spectators at San Siro, and under the eyes of Andriy Shevchenko, who played for both clubs, Milan had promised to show that the slap of the first leg was only an accident and that he could match the Londoners.

Their hopes lasted just over a quarter of an hour, the time for Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, a pure product of the Blues' academy, to grab Mason Mount by the shoulder in the area: penalty for Chelsea and red card - very severe - for the central defender of the Rossoneri!

The Italian Jorginho, the one who largely contributed to depriving the Nazionale of the World Cup in Qatar by missing two penalties against Switzerland during qualifying, this time did not miss the target against the turn of the ultras milanesti (21st).

Mount leading role

In a meeting that became tense, with yellow cards raining down on both sides, Milan had the opportunity to come back quickly but Olivier Giroud missed the target with a header (27th).

Mason Mount (from the back), passer for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, author of Chelsea's second goal against AC Milan, October 11, 2022 at San Siro Alberto PIZZOLI AFP

This barely started match already seemed to be over a few moments later when Chelsea took off on a fine move concluded by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, well served by Mount (34th).

The rossonero goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu, beaten twice without having had much to do, avoided the 3-0 just before the break (44th): the holder in the absence of Mike Maignan, injured in a calf, lying well on a strike from the untenable Mount, replaced at the intermission after having played the leading role in the first act.

What to expect during the remaining 45 minutes for this Milan at ten?

The Rossoneri didn't let go, displaying a great fighting spirit, and managed to put a few hot balls in the English area, like this shot from well above Sergino Dest (60th).

But not enough to really shake these eleven Londoners holding the game well in hand, without however managing to score a third goal.

Connor Gallagher found the small net (49th) then Aubameyang the gloves of Tatarusanu (54th).

Eliminated last year in the group stage, Milan will have to work to do better this season, the first of the new and ambitious American owner RedBird.

A new two-day mini-league begins to try to get second place, behind Chelsea now well on their way to taking first.

© 2022 AFP