AFC Bournemouth have now beaten Real Sociedad, Sturm Graz and AC Milan, and the Milan win was the most emphatic of the three. On a soaking Thursday night on the south coast, the Cherries won 3-0 to keep a perfect record after three rounds of the Europa League’s league phase.
Set pieces did the damage. Justin Kluivert scored from the spot in the first half, Mike Maignan was sent off, and Marcus Tavernier then converted a second penalty before the interval, leaving Milan a man and two goals down. Marco Rose’s team kept pushing after the break without forcing the issue, and the reward came six minutes from time when Amine Adli whipped a free-kick through a splitting wall and in at the near post.
There was one worry for Rose. Striker Evanilson hurt himself in a challenge and had to come off. The home crowd hardly cared, already dreaming of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Milan, who also lost 2-0 at home to Benfica on the opening night, suddenly have work to do.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace twice turned a deficit around in Istanbul through Yeremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta, only to be pegged back to 2-2 by Beşiktaş. Sunderland stayed unbeaten with a 1-1 draw at Lech Poznań, and Nick Woltemade’s penalty earned Juventus a 2-2 against Rennes. Celtic’s miserable campaign continued with a 2-1 home defeat to Celta Vigo, a third loss in three. Real Sociedad hit six at Lillestrøm, Hoffenheim beat Lyon 3-0 and Leverkusen won 2-0 at OFI Crete.
