Milan Claims Victory Amidst Elbow Controversy

By: Wolfgang Fötze

Belgrade came into this match with a mixed bag of results, having suffered defeats in their opening two matches against Warsaw and Hamburg but bouncing back with a stunning 4-2 victory against Norden in their previous outing. Meanwhile, Milan was seeking redemption after a narrow 1-0 loss to Zagreb, a match remembered for the spectacular saves made by both goalkeepers. Belgrade opted for a 4-3-3 formation, while Milan took the field in a traditional 4-4-2 setup. The match kicked off with both teams eagerly looking to assert their dominance, and it was Milan who struck first. In the 8th minute, Théo Charlier showcased his skill by dribbling past two Belgrade defenders before delivering a pinpoint pass to winger Moise Bean. Bean, displaying excellent composure, turned Tyler Hunt and slotted the ball into the net with his right foot to open the scoring. However, the 10th minute would be marred by controversy when Milan's Matteo Moretti lunged into a challenge against Belgrade's Erik Slettebø, inadvertently elbowing him in the face. Despite the severity of the incident, Moretti somehow escaped with just a yellow card, leaving Belgrade fans fuming at the referee's decision. Belgrade had their chances too, notably in the 17th minute when Nemanja Tomcevski raced down the left wing and played a perfectly threaded through ball to Myth Bobo. Bobo had a golden opportunity to level the score but failed to control the ball, squandering a crucial chance. The first half continued to be action-packed. In the 23rd minute, Moise Bean threatened once again, this time after a blistering run by Babatunde Agachutu, who passed the ball to Bean. However, Nico Macarone made an impressive block to deny Bean's attempt. The end of the first half witnessed even more action when Belgrade's Nemanja Tomcevski set up Adrian Diego for a one-on-one opportunity, but Diego's lack of pace allowed Carlo Marchetti to recover, dispossessing Diego and stopping the attack. In first half injury time, Moise Bean's brilliance shone once more as he received the ball outside the box, yet again danced around Tyler Hunt with clever footwork, and fired a shot that Belgrade's goalkeeper Royal Savage parried, only for Agachuthu to capitalize on the rebound, doubling Milan's lead. The second half turned out to be more cagey, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. Milan maintained possession, but their attacks were mostly contained by Belgrade's defense. The match sparked to life again in the 75th minute when Moise Bean executed a quick one-two with Agachuthu, slicing through Belgrade's defense. However, Agachuthu's powerful shot hit the post, denying Milan a third goal. Belgrade's hopes were briefly rekindled in the 82nd minute when Myth Bobo played a ball to substitute striker Semmi, who controlled it and quickly struck a powerful shot towards goal. Unfortunately for Belgrade, the shot struck the post, and the comeback remained elusive. Despite Belgrade's late attempts to push forward, they couldn't create enough opportunities to mount a comeback. In the end, it was Moise Bean's brilliance and Milan's efficient play that secured a 2-0 victory, leaving Belgrade to reflect on missed opportunities and a controversial moment early in the match.