JETHRO SCORES HIS FIRST OF THE SEASON AS ZAGREB TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS IN ITALY
Match Report: Milano vs Zagreb Matchday 3
By: Drew Peacock
Title contenders Zagreb NK traveled to Italy to take on promoted side Milano Calcio. Henry Kamel and Lucca Rizzo had been looking forward to facing off against many of their former Roma teammates, most notably Matteo Moretti, who had posted on social media "I'm gonna bodyslam all of you on the pitch" tagging several members of the Zagreb team. Fans were looking forward to this heated matchup. Milano set up in the same 4-4-2 that saw them see out a 1-0 win against Berlin last matchday. Zagreb, channeling their inner JSL, decided to go without changes from their last lineup as well. The first chance of the match fell to Kamel. Lund sent a ball over the top to Kamel, who headed it cleanly into the path of Marcus Neagu and spun off the Milano defender to break into the box. Neagu found him and his shot was saved by Riku Nohomo. The striker was seen visibly upset that he did not make more of this early chance. Nohomo would deny Kamel again with a fantastic one-handed save to stop Kamel's headed effort from going in just ten minutes later. Moise Bean would supply Milano Calcio's first chance as his awkward attempt was saved by Owen Majmunovic. Bean, like Kamel, would get a second try to beat the keeper, but Majmunovic was able to better the shot with another save. Two great saves from each keeper saw the scores unchanged into half-time: 0-0. The teams came out of half-time mostly unchanged, the only noticeable difference was Milano replaced left-back Michael Jackson with Frederico Barreto. In the first play from kick-off Zagreb took the lead through a wonderful strike from Jethro. The Season 1 Player of the Season scored his first goal of the new campaign from outside the box, leaving Nohomo unable to do anything about it; the visitors take the lead, 0-1. Milano would throw more bodies forward to try and get an equalizer, but the hosts were unable to beat the Zagreb defense. Moise Bean would test the keeper once more, but Majmunovic had Bean's number tonight, saving all three of his shots. Moise Bean and Henry Kamel each had several chances in the match, but the former strike partners were not able to score against each other. Both keepers were the stand out performers for their clubs, but with the win going to Zagreb, the Man of the Match has to be Owen Majmunovic. His 7.0 match rating is one of the best we have seen so far this season from any defensive position. Matteo Moretti, who had high hopes for this match, was unable to make an impact on the match whatsoever. The win for Zagreb sees them jump Milano in the current table and close the gap on Vienna.
