Forwards steal the show and xG surprise: All the key stats from Slovan Bratislava vs. Milan | OneFootball

AC Milan secured an important away 3-2 away win over Slovan Bratislava last night to move a step closer to the Champions League knockout stages.

Things started well for Milan when Christian Pulisic gave them a first half lead after some nice work from Tammy Abraham to send him through on goal, but the two sides went in level at the break after Slovan hit back.

Rafael Leao came off the bench to restore the advantage for the Rossoneri, then Abraham got a goal of his own and to have killed the game off, yet the hosts responded again to make it a nervy finish even after a red card.

The end result though was three more points that continue the path towards direct qualification the last 16, but it doesn’t paint the full picture after another worrying night, especially defensively.

The overview

The general numbers show the game in a rather interesting light, starting with the fact that Milan again had plenty of the ball (66%) and outshot their hosts 15 to 6 in total, with 5 of those being on target compared to 3 for their opponents.

However, despite the fact there were five goals in total, the combined Expected Goals (xG, which measures the quality of chances created) came in at 2.57.

On the other hand, Milan led 3 to 2 on ‘big chances’ which is exactly how the scoreline finished. They also had double the amount of corners.

Back to the glory days

For the first time in the Champions League, Milan have scored at least three goals in three consecutive matches. When also including the European Cup, this hasn’t happened since September 1989.

Milan have won two consecutive away games in the Champions League for the first time since October 2009, and one of those two victories was also against Real Madrid just as it was this time.

Moroever, and as is to potentially be expected, the Diavolo have won all three fixtures played against Slovan Bratislava with an aggregate score of 8-2.

Forwards steal the show

All 4 of Rafael Leão’s goals this season across all competitions have come away from home. No Milan player has scored more away goals than him (4 also for Christian Pulisic).

Since playing in Serie A, Tammy Abraham scored and assisted in the same match across all competitions only once before tonight, on 20 January 2022, in Roma 3-1 Lecce.

Pulisic meanwhile is having another brilliant start to the season. He has set his personal best for goals in a single Champions League season (3) and has been involved in 4 goals in his last 5 Champions League appearances (3 goals and 1 assist).

Finally, Noah Okafor made his 50th appearance for Milan in all competitions as he started over Leao.