Milan v Crvena Zvezda Live Commentary & Result, 25/02/21, UEFA Europa League

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Milan's attention returns to their Serie A title bid this weekend as they take on Roma in what promises to be a tough test of their credentials. As for Red Star, they resume their quest for a 31st Serbian Super Liga crown at home to Proleter Novi Sad.

AC Milan progress to the Europa League last 16 on the away-goal rule after playing out a 3-3 aggregate draw with Red Star Belgrade. The sides drew 1-1 at San Siro today with Franck Kessie's penalty cancelled out by El Fardou Ben for Red Star, who finished with 10 men after Marko Gobeljic was sent off for a second bookable offence. The Rossoneri narrowly advance and ensure their name is in the hat for the last-16 draw.

90' + 3' FULL-TIME: AC MILAN 1-1 RED STAR BELGRADE - Milan win on the away-goal rule.

90' + 1' We are going to have three additional minutes at the end of this game. Milan are almost there.

90' Red Star turn up the pressure as they desperately try to keep their Europa League adventure alive. However, they are unable to find a way through the blanket of white shirts.

88' If history is anything to go by, Milan's name is on the trophy. After overcoming Red Star in their two previous European ties, they went all the way to glory. Could it be third time lucky this season?

86' Less than five minutes for Milan to hold on at San Siro. As things stand, the seven-time European Cup winners are set to advance to the round of 16.

V. Nikolić

M. Ivanić

84' Another throw of the dice from the visitors with Ivanic replaced by Veljko Nikolic.

83' Can Red Star find a dramatic winner? You feel that a second goal here would be enough to take them through to the Europa League last 16 for the first time.

81' Dalot looks to get Milan moving as he finds Ibrahimovic in the Red Star half. However, the Swede is ruled offside - not for the first time today.

78' A draw would be enough to take the Rossoneri through to the next round, but it would extend their winless run in all competitions to four games. That is something they must look to address in their quest to claim a first Scudetto in 10 years, having recently relinquished top spot in Serie A.

76' Less than a quarter of an hour remaining at San Siro. The advantage remains with Milan, who were certainly boosted after Red Star were reduced to 10 men. You feel it would take a monumental effort for the visitors to prevail here, but it is not beyond their capabilities by any means.

74' OFFSIDE, NO GOAL! Saelemaekers is denied by the offside flag. The substitute finishes brilliantly on the volley from Ibrahimovic's cushioned ball into the area. However, his joy is short-lived as Ibrahimovic was just beyond the last defender when the ball was played to him.

M. Pavkov

D. Falcinelli

72' Almost immediately, Red Star turn to the bench with Milan Pavkov replacing Falcinelli.

70' RED CARD! GOBELJIC IS OFF! Red Star down to 10 men. Already on a yellow card, the defender bundles over Calhanoglu and can have few complaints as he is sent for an early bath.

F. Falco

E. Ben Nabouhane

69' Ben also makes way to be replaced by Filippo Falco.

A. Katai

G. Kanga

69' A double-change for Red Star this time. The first sees Aleksandar Katai replace Kanga.

68' WHAT A SAVE! Sanogo is completely unmarked at the far post and turns his volley towards goal, but Donnarumma produces brilliant reflexes to somehow keep it out. Gobeljic subsequently fires the rebound wide of the target.

67' After waiting for the substitutions to be made, Ibrahimovic generates plenty of power in his free-kick delivery, but Borjan holds onto it.

A. Saelemaekers

Samu Castillejo

66' Castillejo also makes way for Alexis Saelemaekers.

T. Hernández

D. Calabria

66' A double-change for Milan. The first sees Theo Hernandez replace Calabria.

65' Milan are awarded a free-kick around 25 yards from goal. Ibrahimovic will certainly fancy this one...

Z. Ibrahimović

Yellow Card

63' Ibrahimovic charges down Borjan's attempted clearance from out of his hands and is booked. That was a daft one to pick up in all fairness.

61' Ivanic drives Red Star forward at the other end, before his left-footed shot deflects behind for a corner. The visitors will look to make the most of this set-piece.

59' As we approach the hour mark at San Siro, the tie remains level at 3-3 on aggregate. Remember as things stand, Milan would progress on the away-goal rule.

56' Milan have struggled at home in recent times, losing three of their last six games at San Siro. During that span, they have either kept a clean sheet or conceded three goals. Of course, they will hope that trend does not continue here.

54' Moments later, Ibrahimovic looks to cushion a header into the path of fellow substitute Rebic, who is just unable to provide the vital touch.

53' At the other end, Ibrahimovic gets involved for the first time. The Swede plays a neat one-two with Kessie, before shooting straight at the goalkeeper.

50' It has been a bright start to this second half by Red Star, who are chasing a sixth consecutive victory away from home in all competitions.

48' Certainly not shy of shooting, Kanga tries his luck from range once more. The Red Star midfielder's effort is off-target, but Donnarumma watches it all the way wide.

46' Milan get the ball rolling once more.

N. Petrović

S. Srnić

46' A change for Red Star, too, as Njegos Petrovic replaces Srnic.

A. Rebić

R. Krunić

46' Krunic also goes off to be replaced by Ante Rebic.

Z. Ibrahimović

Rafael Leão

46' Milan make a double-change at the break. The first sees Zlatan Ibrahimovic introduced with Leao making way.

It has been an entertaining game so far and you feel the next goal will be crucial in terms of deciding who progresses to the next round.

Honours even at San Siro, where AC Milan and Red Star Belgrade are locked at 1-1. Franck Kessie’s penalty was cancelled out by a terrific finish by El Fardou Ben but as things stand, it would be the Rossoneri that progress to the Europa League last 16 on the away-goal rule.

45' + 2' HALF-TIME: AC MILAN 1-1 RED STAR BELGRADE

45' + 1' Calhanoglu goes for power with the resulting free-kick. However, his fierce strike is always rising and way off-target.

S. Srnić

Yellow Card

45' Srnic takes out Krunic on the edge of the box and can have no complaints as he goes into the book.

43' Red Star take a free-kick short to Kanga, who opts to try his luck from distance. Although his effort is ambitious, it is not too far wide of the target in all fairness.

41' Worrying signs for Red Star as Ibrahimovic begins warming up on the touchline. While Milan have looked threatening going forward, his presence would certainly add another dimension for the hosts.

39' Milan continue to apply pressure to the Red Star defence. A clever ball gets Leao in behind for the hosts, but he is rightly ruled offside before getting his shot away.

37' GREAT SAVE! Borjan to Red Star's rescue! Despite having team-mates to aim for in the box, Castillejo pulls the ball behind them to an unmarked Dalot at the far post. Fortunately for the visitors, tremendous reflexes from Borjan deny the Manchester United loanee.

36' Milan look to restore their authority on the contest as Kessie and Calhanoglu play a neat one-two, before the former's cross is deflected behind for a corner.

34' Looking for that second goal, Kanga tries his luck for Red Star. But his effort is never going to trouble Donnarumma as it goes well wide of the target.

32' As things stand, Red Star do still require another goal in order to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League. However, they will be very pleased with their performance so far and time is definitely on their side at the moment.

30' As for Red Star, this year marks the 30th anniversary of their European Cup triumph. They would certainly love to celebrate the occasion with another strong run in this competition.

28' Could Stankovic be in for another memorable day at San Siro. The Red Star boss is back on familiar territory having spent 10 years with Milan's rivals Inter; making over 300 appearances, winning five Serie A titles and lifting the 2010 Champions League.

26' Third time lucky for Ben! After having a goal disallowed and hitting the bar, the striker's persistance pays dividends for Red Star. The visitors certainly have their tails up at the moment.

M. Ivanić

Assist

24' Ivanic picked out the run of Ben, who did the rest in clinical fashion.

E. Ben Nabouhane

Goal

24' BEN!!! 1-1! If at first you don't succeed, try and try again! Receiving the ball from Ivanic after good movement, Ben takes a touch before drilling a low shot through the legs of Romagnoli and into the far corner of the net. Red Star are level and they thoroughly deserve to be.

22' OFF THE BAR! After just having a goal ruled out, the woodwork denies Ben on this occasion. The Red Star striker steps up after a free-kick is awarded on the edge of the box, but his left-footed shot cannons against the upright.

21' The visitors may have been disappointed not to bring themselves on level terms, but they will be pleased with their response to falling behind. It is important that they maintain these performance levels and hope it will pave the way to a route back into the tie.

19' OFFSIDE, NO GOAL! Red Star think they have equalised as Ben bundles home from close range. However, the ball struck the arm of Pankov before the Comoros international put it in the net.

17' It is well worth noting that the reigning Serbian champions are on a 20-game unbeaten run in all competitions. You have to go back to a 2-0 reverse by Hoffenheim in October for the last time they tasted defeat.

15' Red Star look to respond after a quarter of an hour. They are awarded a corner and free-kick during a positive spell, but are unable to capitalise on either opportunity.

13' Today marks the Rossoneri's 11th match in this season's Europa League. After coming through two qualifying rounds as well as the play-offs, Pioli's men then topped Group H with 13 points from a possible 18.

11' Good defending! Milan go in search of a second goal in quick succession with Leao leading the charge. However, Degenek tracks his run all the way and makes a well-timed sliding challenge.

F. Kessié

Penalty Goal

9' KESSIE!!! 1-0 MILAN! The Ivorian steps up to the spot and calmly sends the goalkeeper the wrong way. The hosts have the advantage at San Siro!

M. Gobeljić

Yellow Card

8' PENALTY TO MILAN! After consulting with his pitchside monitor, the referee points to the spot and books Gobeljic for his troubles.

7' Krunic appeals for handball after his shot strikes the arm of Gobeljic. The referee was not interested initially, but we are going to VAR...

5' Playing in their all-white strip, Milan enjoy a good spell of early pressure. Following this, they force a corner as an attempted cross deflects behind.

3' Red Star have played in the Europa League in all but three seasons since the renaming of the competition in 2009. Today, they are aiming to reach the last 16 for the first time.

1' The referee blows his whistle and Red Star get the second leg underway.

The players are out and kick-off is moments away.

Milan have prevailed on both occasions that they have faced Red Star in European competition - doing so over two legs in the 1988-89 European Cup and 2006-07 Champions League. Ironically, they went on to lift the trophy each time. A good omen, perhaps?

Dejan Stankovic follows suit with six alterations from Red Star's win over Spartak Subotica in the Serbian Super Liga. Among those to keep his place is leading marksman Mirko Ivanic while Aleksandar Katai - their top scorer in this season's Europa League - is on the bench. Following his red card in the first leg, Milan Rodic is suspended.

Stefano Pioli makes six changes to the Milan side that were swept aside 3-0 by rivals Internazionale at the weekend. The five players that remain from Sunday are Gianluigi Donnarumma, Davide Calabria, Alessio Romagnoli, Franck Kessie and Hakan Calhanoglu. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has to settle for a place on the bench alongside Ante Rebic and Brahim Diaz.

SUBS: Zoran Popovic, Nikola Krstovic, Filippo Falco, Zeljko Gavric, Aleksandar Katai, Milan Pavkov, Veljko Nikolic, Aleksa Vukanovic, Njegos Petrovic, Marko Copic.

RED STAR BELGRADE (3-4-3): Milan Borjan (captain); Radovan Pankov, Milos Degenek, Sekou Sanogo; Milan Gajic, Guelor Kanga, Slavoljub Srnic, Marko Gobeljic; El Fardou Ben, Diego Falcinelli, Mirko Ivanic.

SUBS: Ciprian Tatarusanu, Sandro Tonali, Ante Rebic, Matteo Gabbia, Simon Kjaer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pierre Kalulu, Theo Hernandez, Brahim Diaz, Alexis Saelemaekers, Antonio Donnarumma.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Davide Calabria, Alessio Romagnoli (captain), Fikayo Tomori, Diego Dalot; Rade Krunic, Franck Kessie, Soualiho Meite; Samu Castillejo, Hakan Calhanoglu, Rafael Leao.

This tie is finely poised following a 2-2 draw in the Serbian capital last week, although those two away goals mean that the advantage is marginally with Milan heading into the game.

Hello everyone and welcome to live text coverage of the Europa League last 32 second leg between AC Milan and Red Star Belgrade at San Siro.

Milan v Crvena Zvezda Live Commentary, 26/02/21

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