Victor Boniface opened his European goalscoring count for the season with the winner against AC Milan. - © IMAGO/VItalii Kliuiev
Victor Boniface opened his European goalscoring count for the season with the winner against AC Milan. - © IMAGO/VItalii Kliuiev
Victor Boniface strike pushes Bayer Leverkusen past AC Milan in UEFA Champions League
The Bundesliga champions' dream start to this season's UEFA Champions League continued with a latest win against AC Milan, Victor Boniface's goal ultimately separating the sides at the BayArena.
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Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 AC Milan
Goals: 1-0 Boniface 51'
Leverkusen went into this game on a run of four games without defeat and having earned a valuable point away to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga at the weekend. In the Champions League, a smart 4-0 win away to Feyenoord on Matchday 1 set an impressive tone ahead of the visit of seven-time European champions Milan. True to form, the hosts started impressively against the Italians, with Victor Boniface and Piero Hincapié both testing Mike Maignan in the Milan goal. Boniface has four goal involvements in the German top flight this term and he thought he was celebrating a first Champions League goal when diverting in Jeremie Frimpong's centre, however, with the full-back in an offside position, the home side's elation was short lived. At the other end, the Rossoneri threatened through former Borussia Dortmund favourite Christian Pulisic, whose low drive drew a tidy stop from Lukáš Hrádecký.
Playing with a similarly high tempo from the second-half whistle, Bayer 04 continued to take the game to their opponents. Florian Wirtz's clever movement allowed the 21-year-old to open up enough space to shoot at Maignan, who thwarted the hosts once more. Yet Milan's resistance wouldn't last. When Aleix García's probing was met by Alejandro Grimaldo's back-heel, Frimpong was there to smash goalwards. Maignan pushed the effort out, but only to the alert Boniface, who had the simplest of tasks at the back post. Serie A's third-placed team rallied through a couple of efforts from Tijjani Reijnders and Youssouf Fofana, which Hrádecký was equal to. After Frimpong found the side-netting, Théo Hernandez rattled the Leverkusen crossbar with a deflected effort as the hosts held on to make it two wins from two. Next up for Xabi Alonso's men in the league phase is a meeting with tournament debutants Brest - who also boast a 100 percent record - on 23 October.
Match stats
- Boniface scored five times as Leverkusen reached the 2024 UEFA Europa League final. This was his first Champions League goal.
- Alonso won the Champions League twice as player, including as part of the Liverpool team that famously came from 3-0 down to beat Milan on penalties in the 2004/05 final.
- Leverkusen are playing Champions League football for the 14th time. Their best run was to the 2001/02 final, where they lost to Real Madrid.
- Bayer went unbeaten at home in Europe last season, winning five and drawing one of their six Europa League fixtures at the BayArena.
- Pulisic produced 13 goals and 18 assists across 90 Bundesliga appearances as a Dortmund player, while Jović struck 29 times in 72 league games for Frankfurt.
Teams
Leverkusen: Hrádecký (c) - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié - Frimpong, García (Andrich 75'), Xhaka, Grimaldo (Belocian 89') - Adli (Palacios 82'), Wirtz (Tella 89') - Boniface (Terrier 75')
Unused subs: Kovář, Lomb, Hofmann, Arthur, Schick, Mukiele
Out: -
Coach: Xabi Alonso
Milan: Maignan - Emerson, Gabbia, Tomori, Hernández (c) - Reijnders, Fofana - Pulisic (Chukwueze 80'), Lofts-Cheek, Leão - Abraham (Morata 62')
Unused subs: Nava, Torriani, Calabria, Okafor, Thiaw, Pavlović, Terracciano, Musah
Out: Bennacer (calf), Florenzi (knee), Sportiello (hand)
Coach: Paulo Fonseca
As it happened...
1 - 0
(0 - 0)
Leverkusen
FINAL
Milan
Champions League
League phase, Matchday 2 League phase, Matchday 2 BayArena
League phase, Matchday 2 League phase, Matchday 2 BayArena
90'
+ 4
Full-time Leverkusen 1-0 Milan
Boniface's goal early in the second half is enough for a win for the hosts. The visitors certainly woke up after what was a fairly dismal first half and the second half was end-to-end for large portions. Both teams had a myriad of golden chances but Leverkusen proved to ultimately be the more clinical of the sides. The Werkself make it two wins from two Champions League games!
90'
+ 3
Yellow card
90'
+ 2
Tella nearly seals it
The winger finds himself in space on the edge of the Milan area. His low left footed shot is dragged narrowly wide, but really could've been the winner for the hosts here.
90'
Four added minutes
The fourth official confirms there will be a minimum of four additional minutes here.
89'
Substitution
89'
Substitution
87'
Good chance
Loftus-Cheek really got a hold of a weak clearance by Leverkusen from a Milan free-kick. The strike flies towards the Leverkusen goal unblocked but his fisted away by Hrádecký.
Boniface's goal still the difference
© Lars Baron
84'
Yellow card
83'
Golden chance!
Hernández's shot from outside the box flies onto the crossbar. Morata is under the rebound but has to generate a lot of power from a static header and ultimately heads just wide. That's as close as they have come.
82'
Substitution
76'
Huge miss for Frimpong
He finds himself in acres of space in the Milan box. He opts to shoot towards the near post but his curling effort only finds the side netting. He'll be kicking himself for that one.
75'
Frimpong booked
The winger sees yellow for a late challenge on Mike Maignan.
75'
Substitution
75'
Substitution
74'
Yellow card
71'
Milan turning the screw
Hernández gets free down the left and whips a lovely low ball across the Leverkusen backline, but there's no Milan players in the box to meet it.
65'
Fofana
The midfielder is looking sharp. He recovers the ball from the wasted corner, creates some space and fires a powerful right-footed shot to the far post, but the keeper is equal to it. He's had a few shots like that now.
64'
Corner for Milan
They're starting to look a considerable threat going forward. Corner taken by Pulisic doesn't beat the first man however.
60'
End-to-end
This game is now wide open! A chance for Frimpong down one end, is followed by a quick break and a chance for Loftus-Cheek which goes behind for a corner. Nothing comes of the set piece though.
56'
Nearly an instant reply
This goal seems to have woken Milan up. A good spell of play found Reijnders unmarked at the back post, but he took far too long to take a shot, and the keeper manages to get across and save. This game has really opened up now.
52'
Boniface!
A backheel from Grimaldo on the byline tees up Frimpong for a low shot. Maignan tips it away but only into the path of the oncoming Boniface, who finishes from less than six yards out. Emphatic from Leverkusen! Definitely not offside this time...
49'
Better from Milan
Some intricate play from the visitors saw them break into the Leverkusen box with a man advantage, but it won't quite drop for a shot for Reijnders, and the cross from Abraham afterwards is gathered by the keeper.
48'
Golden chance for Wirtz!
The midfielder picks up the ball on the edge of the Milan box, fakes his shot and gets past Tomori. His subsequent shot is palmed away comfortably in the end by Maignan. That was a real chance!
46'
Back underway
Leverkusen get the second half off and running again here.
45'
+ 2
Half-time: Leverkusen 0-0 Milan
The hosts have dominated possession here and had the better of the chances, but it's level at the break. Some really intricate combination play between Wirtz, Grimaldo and Boniface has troubled the visitors but Maignan has made some good saves to keep them in it. Milan have looked dangerous at times, but have relied on the counter-attack and the pace of Leão and Pulisic up top. A disallowed goal from Boniface was nearly the difference but Frimpong was narrowly offside in the build-up. A thrilling encounter nonetheless.
45'
Two additional minutes
The fourth official confirms there will be minimum of two minutes added on.
43'
Final ball missing
Pulisic does so well to get past two or three Leverkusen players and has the opportunity to play Loftus-Cheek through, but just squanders the final ball. That could've been dangerous for Leverkusen.
41'
Abraham goes down
The striker is back on the pitch. A chance breaks for Milan and he tears into the Leverkusen area and goes down, but the referee waves away the protests for a penalty.
39'
Pulisic shoots
A break for Milan opens up. Pulisic finds himself on the left, cuts inside and shoots down low to the keeper's right, but Hrádecký holds the shot.
38'
So close
Wirtz once again dances past his man and gets a shot away, which Maignan palms into the path of the quickly arriving Frimpong. But the winger can't get a hold of the shot properly and another chance goes begging.
37'
Abraham walks off
The striker seems to be in some discomfort as he hobbles towards the bench to receive treatment. No change as of yet.
35'
Intricate from Wirtz
The starlet twists and turns his way into the box and it looks like he might have a chance to get a shot away, but the angle is closed down. He lays it back to Tapsoba whose shot is always rising.
30'
Hernández down
There's a stoppage here as Hernández stays down in the middle of the park after a collision with Tapsoba. But he's back up shortly and the referee deems no foul play from either party.
28'
Frimpong fires over
A long range effort from Grimaldo is swerving towards the goal, Maignan parries but only as far as Frimpong. The winger takes it early but blazes it over the bar. Still no breakthrough for either side.
24'
Milan nearly respond
Leão with some excellent work down the left. He wriggles into the box, but his cutback can't find a connection from any Milan player. Still 0-0 here.
23'
Goal disallowed
An excellent cross field pass from Grimaldo finds Frimpong. The winger plays an early cross into Boniface into the middle who finishes confidently first time. But it's chalked off for offside as Frimpong went a bit early.
Boniface takes on his man
© IMAGO/Jan Huebner
14'
Corner for Leverkusen
A spell of domination sees Leverkusen rewarded with a corner. It's played short and then whipped in but everyone missed it. It's been all Leverkusen here so far though. Milan are struggling to get on the ball.
11'
Chance for Adli
Some lovely creative attacking play from Wirtz! He finds Adli, who loses his man and stabs at a shot, but the keeper is equal to the effort and collects.
9'
García booked
The Leverkusen man picks up the first yellow of the game as he fouls Pulisic, who looked as if he had a good opportunity to break down the right.
9'
Yellow card
3'
Boniface shoots
Leverkusen break quickly and Adli works it out to Boniface, who dribbles into the box and gets a shot away. Well saved by Maignan but behind for a corner.
2'
Early chance
A real opportunity for Milan early on sees Leão combine well with Reijnders, releasing the Dutchman, but his touch lets him down. An early statement of intent from the visitors.
1'
And we're off!
It's the visitors who get us underway here in the BayArena.
Team news
Boniface starts up top for Leverkusen. Morata drops to the bench for the visitors, as he is still recovering from a slight knock, so Abraham leads the line for Milan.
Leverkusen starting XI
Hrádecký (c) - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié - Frimpong, García, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Adli, Wirtz - Boniface
Leverkusen subs
Kovář, Lomb, Hofmann, Andrich, Terrier, Arthur, Schick, Tella, Mukiele, Palacios, Belocian
Milan starting XI
Maignan - Emerson, Gabbia, Tomori, Hernández (c) - Reijnders, Fofana - Pulisic, Lofts-Cheek, Leão - Abraham
Milan subs
Nava, Torriani, Calabria, Morata, Okafor, Chukwueze, Thiaw, Pavlović, Terracciano, Musah
Record-breaking potential
Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last nine home games in major European competition (six wins, three draws). Barring a loss here today, they can make it 10 consecutive home matches unbeaten, which would be an unprecedented club record.
Alonso on Pulisic
“He’s in very good form, he’s an important player for Milan because he has a huge impact on the team. He gets between the lines, he’s fast, but I can’t just focus on him, I’m also thinking about people like [Rafael] Leão or [Álvaro] Morata.” Alonso added, “we will have to be focused throughout the match. We don’t want to let them dominate the game, they are good at counterattacking. In the last match they scored three goals in five minutes… That’s Milan."
Two from two?
© Dean Mouhtaropoulos
Milan's last time out
© PIERO CRUCIATTI
Team news
Leverkusen appear to have a clean bill of health for their next Champions League match, but Milan will be sweating on the fitness of summer signing Alvaro Morata. Malick Thiaw, Alessandro Florenzi and Ismael Bennacer are all sidelined long-term.
Alonso on the 'Miracle of Istanbul'
"It was one of the most important games in my career and an incredible night. It's a great memory but the focus for us is on the here and now."
Tah on Milan
"Italian sides are a difficult opponent for many teams. They have a particular style of play and defend very well. We will need to be very patient. Games in the Champions League are always a challenge. We will be tested at the highest level – and that's exactly what we want."
Alonso on Milan
© IMAGO/Mladen Lackovic
Alonso's Milan memories
© Mike Hewitt
1:17
Watch: Christian Pulisic's emotional Dortmund farewell
Familiar faces
© 2019 DFL
More on Milan
© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Carabelli
3:40
One to watch: Florian Wirtz
A first of sorts
© IMAGO
2:03
Watch: Bayern Munich 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen - highlights
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