Milan start their European campaign with an away win
Milan started their competitive season on a positive note as they defeated Romanian side Universitatea Craiova 1-0 with a goal before the half time.
Vincenzo Montella couldn’t field his best as Lucas Biglia and Leonardo Bonucci were unavailable while other players weren’t in their best condition.
Matteo Musacchio, Ricardo Rodriguez, Frank Kessie, Fabio Borini and Patrick Cutrone all made their official debut from the beginning while André Silva and Andrea Conti entered in the second half.
Milan’s first danger came after 20 minute when Mbaye Niang tried with a low shot from outside the box Calancea.
Two minutes later, Universitatea Craiova had their best chance of the game as Alexandru Mitrita managed to beat the offside trap and received a pass behind the Milan defence, advanced but his final shot was well saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Vincenzo Montella’s team went close on the 26th minute with a shot by youngster Patrick Cutrone that hit the upright. The same attacker was dangeorus again eleven minutes later when he rose above his opponents and headed from a corner, but his effort finished over the bar.
Milan managed to take the lead that was saved by two minutes before the break. They were awarded a free-kick from the right after the referee judged a foul on Fabio Borini. From the resultant free-kick Ricardo Rodriguez’s cross-shot beat Calancea.
Craiova increased their efforts in the second half, and had the best action of the half on the hour mark.
Donnarumma blocked partially a cross from the right, the ball finished in the direction of Mitrita, but his lob finished a bit wide of the post.
In the final minutes, the Romanian side tried to score the equalising but failed to create clear chances at goal.