and hello from one of the great venues and world football the san siro in the city of
milan i'm derek ray and joining me here on the commentary box is lee dixon and this is
where it all starts in the uefa champions league the group stage and match day one my
goodness so much to look forward to it's milan up against inter yeah it's very important that
you're not playing catch up in the group stages match day one imperative you get off to a good
start
this is the meal starts at 11. john luigi donnarumma stands between the posts
simon kea plays alongside alessio romagnoli in central defence
and lining up through the middle in attack today zlatan ibrahimovic
defense and the tactical configuration has two players in attack from the very outset
it's the opening match day champions league group stage match day one underway
and santa marcos has it
hernandez now oh lovely weighted ball they might be in and there
why not well here's the replay and the ball over the top is an absolute beauty and then just look
at the finish reads the flight perfectly and absolutely smashes it beyond the keeper there's
just no stopping that well the coach can feel this game slipping away i'm sure might need a plan b
underway again with milan in charge
galiadini lukaku here is galiadini
parella
remich
in the right place to cut out the pass screenia oh that's a super ball over the top
young
well possibilities in the center well it was a very good-looking move but alas no end product
careless in possession
screenia
showing good vision moving the ball nicely trying to carve out the equalizer
martinez well that's gone out and it is going to be a girl kick
they're nasa excellent vision
really good block and a throw in forthcoming
it did appear that they might be on to something but not so
alessandro bastoni now far from the ideal pass you've got to say
the lana's struggling in terms of possession but they won't mind me that they're winning this game
they're sucking their opponents onto them and with the pace they've got in midfield and up
front they're really causing problems and the keeper not really taxed by that long-range shot
young
lukaku martinez not that attack going up a dead end and the keeper has the ball
and they have possession again
that mian
looks promising this
good use of the ball but can they trouble the defense
a chance then for the respective managers to address their charges it is half time here
not a typically influential first-time performance from zlatan ibrahimovic lee what did you make of
it well derek he certainly was a good 45 minutes from the lad obviously got the goal to give him
lead and so the second half of this champions league group stage match day one contest commences
perfectly positioned to take it away
it's with charlandolu the referee knew that was foul play but advantage it is teo hernandez
and scoop for them to produce something exciting
young
martinez lukaku
ray beach and the no-nonsense clearance terrific block there
cassier can they get in behind them good defending to prevent the chance pressing really high
varela
martinez lukaku
at times they make passing look easy and thwarted there following the cross
and space to exploit maybe
had a chance to whip it in here
stuff
well we can see here it's a good finish but really it's all about the concerted pressure beforehand
really disciplined working as a team to force a mistake and regain possession high up the
pitch then they take full advantage well the earlier goal canceled out what a piece
hernandez
and space to cross it kessie oh he's gone for goal oh the goalkeeper did well to hang on to that one
kessie a and the ball's gone it has gone over the touchline for what will be a throw-in
now they're going to alter things here's the substitution
beautifully weighted ball ibrahimovic and a goal late derby drama as
well here's the replay he's still really well to get his head up and pick out a teammate
and the thunderous strike to beat the keeper hands down is absolutely brilliant
well the manager's showing signs of frustration they need to improve if they're going to get
something out of this game derek what a big moment in the die gamers will it prove decisive here
and only two minutes remaining here screenia
there is going to be stoppage time but only the one minute ericsson defray so full time it is
and the morale boosting three fights on the board to begin the european campaign yeah really really
strong start that's what you need but with five games to go very important you stay in the now
one game at a time derrick bit of a cliche well i think it's accurate to say lee that this man was
the light bringer for his side well clearly the difference between the two sides today two goals
a really good performance run into the channel did everything right absolutely nine out of ten