BEVERLY HILLS, November 06, (THEWILL) – AC Milan’s European unbeaten run came to a shuddering end after 11 games as Lille’s central attacking midfielder Yusuf Yazici’s hat-trick secured an emphatic 3-0 victory for the French Ligue 1 visitors in the UEFA Europa League.
So far inspired by the form of Swede forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who already had eight goals to his name coming into the tie 1, Stefano Pioli’s charges made a remarkable start to the 2020-21 term.
But, on Thursday, the tall Swedish talisman, who was substituted in the 62nd minute, failed to lift the Rossoneri in a dismal showing at San Siro, with Yazici running the show.
The 23-year-old Turkish international scored the opener in the 21st minute from the penalty spot, before going on to become the first player to score an away hat-trick against Milan in all competitions since Rivaldo in October 2000 with quickfire strikes early in the second half to move Lille one point clear at the top of Group H.
To his credit, Ibrahimovic crafted the game’s first chance in the 19th minute, when he teed up French left back Theo Hernandez to shoot from a tight angle. But, his effort was deflected wide.
Two minutes after and Lille had the lead. Hattrick hero Yazici drilled the ball home from the penalty spot after drawing a clumsy foul from Milan centre back Alessio Romagnoli.
Pioli’s introduction of former Lille forward Rafael Leao and Turkish central attacking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu was to inject fresh blood into the attack, yet it was the latter’s compatriot Yazici who, again, delivered a second blow to Milan when their goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to keep out his dipping effort in the 55th minute.
At this point, Milan were all at sea and Lille took full advantage. A fast break culminated with Yazici coming into possession of the ball and he curled in his third with a brilliant first-time finish.
Pioli made the surprising decision to take Ibrahimovic off moments later. The shocking change almost paid immediate dividends as his replacement, Croatian left winger Ante Rebic, drew a smart stop from Mike Maignan, in goal for Lille.
Donnarumma made slight amends for his earlier mistake with a brilliant save to deny Yazici a fourth. However, the damage was already done as Lille won consecutive away games in the Europa League for the first time.
This is a reality check for Milan. It is the first time the Rossoneri have conceded three times at home in a single European game since November 2011. They currently sit second in Group H, one point behind Lille and three points ahead of Sparta Prague, who thrashed bottom-placed Celtic 4-1.
For Yazici, Lille’s hat-trick hero, it was a moment to savour. He endured a trying first season in France last term, starting just nine Ligue 1 matches, registering one goal and four assists from 18 appearances in total. But, he has been in scintillating form this term, scoring eight times across his last six appearances in all competitions.
Despite Milan needing their talisman, Ibrahimovic was taken off following Lille’s third goal, much to the veteran campaigner’s apparent dismay. He only managed two attempts on goal – both on target – and created one chance, for Hernandez, but only two of his 15 touches came inside the area.
In their next matches, Milan take on Hellas Verona in a Serie A outing on Sunday, while Lille, second on the table in Ligue 1, are in action against Brest.
