AC Milan suffered their third defeat in four Europa League matches, losing 2-0 at home to Hungarian side Ferencváros. An even more unusual result followed in the Conference League, where Lincoln Red Imps defeated Croatian heavyweights Hajduk Split without managing a single effort on target.
Ferencváros ruthlessly punish Milan’s mistakes
It became clear during the first half that Milan were in for a difficult evening. Ferencváros pressed aggressively from the front, putting the home defence under pressure and repeatedly threatening Lorenzo Torriani’s goal. The young goalkeeper, deputising for the suspended Mike Maignan, initially kept the visitors at bay.
Head coach Rúben Amorim responded with three substitutions at half-time, including the introduction of Christian Pulisic, but Ferencváros continued to look the more dangerous side. In the 52nd minute, Milan made a costly mistake while attempting to play out from the back. Kristoffer Zachariassen pressured Torriani following a back-pass, won possession and set up Lenny Joseph for the opening goal.
The same combination struck again 15 minutes later. After regaining possession and launching a swift counterattack, Zachariassen once more supplied Joseph, who finished to make it 2-0.
Milan’s 70 per cent possession counts for little
The statistics show that Milan’s problems went well beyond poor finishing. The Italian side dominated possession with 70 per cent and attempted 15 shots, but managed just two on target. Ferencváros, despite having only 30 per cent of the ball, registered 12 attempts, eight of which tested the goalkeeper.
The expected goals figures were even more revealing: Ferencváros finished with 3.11 xG compared with Milan’s 1.22. It is rare for a Hungarian side to create such a clear advantage in the quality of chances at San Siro while seeing so little of the ball.
The visitors defended compactly, won important midfield battles and exploited the spaces behind Milan’s advanced players. Even after substitute Bamidele Yusuf was sent off for Ferencváros in the 77th minute, the hosts failed to score against ten men.
Amorim acknowledged afterwards that his team had failed to deliver. Milan’s Europa League campaign is now in serious trouble: with just three points from four matches, they sit outside the play-off positions. Ferencváros, meanwhile, have collected a maximum 12 points from their opening four games.
Lincoln Red Imps win without a single shot on target
If Milan’s defeat raised eyebrows, Lincoln Red Imps produced an even more extraordinary result against Hajduk Split.
The Gibraltar club won their Conference League home fixture 1-0 despite failing to register a shot on target throughout the entire match. Lincoln managed just five attempts, 34 per cent possession and not a single corner.
Hajduk controlled 66 per cent of possession and attempted 15 shots, but only one was on target. The expected goals figures also favoured the Croatian visitors by a considerable margin, with Hajduk recording 1.37 xG to Lincoln’s 0.16.
A late own goal seals an unlikely victory
In the 89th minute, Lincoln were awarded a free-kick on the right flank. The delivery was flicked on by Christian Rutjens, whose header struck the post. The ball then rebounded off Hajduk defender Dennis Hadžikadunić and crossed the line.
Because Rutjens’ header had hit the woodwork and the winning goal was officially recorded as an own goal, Lincoln finished the match with zero shots on target.
It was the underdogs’ first victory of the current Conference League league phase, having previously lost to Brann and Twente. Hajduk, by contrast, had opened their campaign with victories over Ajax and Thun, making their defeat in Gibraltar all the more surprising.
