This was a landmark evening for Bournemouth, even if Coventry or Hull would probably have provided a much tougher challenge. A team can only defeat the opponent in front of them, and Marco Rose’s side remained firmly in command against a dreadful imitation of Milan. The visitors already looked strangely insubstantial before goalkeeper Mike Maignan made their situation even worse by earning a deserved first-half dismissal.
Justin Kluivert had already put Bournemouth ahead from the penalty spot. Following Maignan’s reckless intervention, Marcus Tavernier converted another penalty to emphasise the home side’s dominance. Amine Adli completed the scoring with a late free-kick, ensuring a miserable return to Britain for Ruben Amorim. He may have viewed this week as an opportunity to prove a point, but this performance suggested that Milan have several things in common with the current Manchester United team, whom Bournemouth visit on Sunday.
The significance of the occasion, both locally and more broadly, was obvious from the opening whistle. When Bournemouth narrowly avoided dropping out of the fourth tier in 2009, they could scarcely have imagined welcoming such a famous club to their compact stadium for a competitive match. During the same weekend that Bournemouth defeated Grimsby, the Rossoneri overcame Palermo through goals from Kaká and Filippo Inzaghi. Even now, the sight of the seven-time European champions playing here seemed almost unreal.
“How did we get here?” the stadium announcer wondered, echoing the message displayed on a banner in the north stand. The question also carried wider significance. It was remarkable that a team sitting 15th in the Premier League, regardless of its qualities, could reasonably begin as the favourite against one of Serie A’s most successful clubs.
Relentless wind and rain formed part of the south-coast reception awaiting Amorim. He faced the conditions without a hat or hood, perhaps having endured more difficult experiences in England before. His mood worsened after only eight minutes when Kluivert finished from the penalty spot following Bournemouth’s energetic start.
Kluivert had been involved in a narrow escape moments earlier. After excellent work by Evanilson, he failed to make contact, while Ben Gannon-Doak’s follow-up attempt was diverted wide. Milan failed to deal with the resulting corner, and a video review determined that Koni De Winter had used his arm to deflect Evanilson’s header away from goal. Amorim had little reason to dispute the decision.
Bournemouth, who adopted colours inspired by Milan in 1970, continued to dictate the tempo. Yunus Musah lost possession before Ryan Christie forced Maignan to make a save. Omari Hutchinson, one of three English players in Milan’s lineup, attempted to take advantage of a misplaced Gannon-Doak pass but was stopped by António Silva.
Hutchinson was one of the few Milan players who appeared able to match Bournemouth’s energy. His teammates struggled badly, and before the half-hour mark they collapsed in spectacular fashion. Maignan had just pushed James Hill’s deflected shot around the post when he inexplicably shoved Tyler Adams in the face as the following corner arrived. The referee had no difficulty awarding a penalty and showing the goalkeeper a red card.
Hutchinson was withdrawn so substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani could enter, but he was soon beaten. Tavernier remained composed despite a long delay and confidently converted the penalty. The rain easing shortly before half-time offered Amorim very little consolation.
Milan brought on Adrien Rabiot at half-time, although their strongest hope appeared to be that Bournemouth might conserve some energy. Diego Moreira, operating at right wing-back, made one of the visitors’ few determined advances. On the opposite side, however, Gannon-Doak continued to pose the greater threat with repeated bursts towards the byline.
The wind became so powerful that Ardon Jashari’s free-kick, taken from just inside Bournemouth’s half, was blown back in his direction before it could reach the penalty area. The home side did not require assistance from the weather. Their pursuit of a third goal was hindered by referee Vasilis Fotias, who stopped play to caution the slow-moving Fikayo Tomori for a foul even though substitute Lewis Cook had broken clear.
Christie sent an effort wide before substitute Adli produced a superb curling finish from 22 yards. Bournemouth’s supporters were then free to celebrate joyfully in the rain.
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