Bayer Leverkusen continued their flawless start to the Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AC Milan at BayArena. Victor Boniface’s second-half goal was enough to secure all three points for Xabi Alonso’s side, though the win was not without its nervy moments as Milan threatened a late equalizer.
The result puts Leverkusen in a commanding position in their group, with two wins from two, following their emphatic 4-0 victory over Feyenoord in the opening round. AC Milan, meanwhile, find themselves in a precarious spot, having suffered a second consecutive defeat after their 3-1 loss to Liverpool.
Leverkusen’s Dominant Start
Leverkusen started the match with the kind of confidence that has become synonymous with their play under Xabi Alonso this season. The German side dominated possession in the early stages, pressing high and forcing Milan into defensive errors. Jeremie Frimpong, who was instrumental throughout the game, had the first real opportunity of the match when he fired a cross into the box in the 21st minute.
Victor Boniface converted the delivery with a deft finish, but his celebration was cut short as VAR ruled the goal out for offside. The decision was a narrow one, with replays showing Frimpong had made his run just a fraction too early.
Despite the setback, Leverkusen continued to pile on the pressure, creating several half-chances before the half-time whistle. Milan, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm and rarely threatened Leverkusen’s goal in the first 45 minutes.
Boniface Breaks the Deadlock
Frimpong was once again at the heart of the action, breaking down the right flank and whipping in a dangerous low cross. Mike Maignan, Milan’s goalkeeper, did well to stop Frimpong’s initial effort, but he could do nothing to prevent Boniface from tapping in the rebound to make it 1-0.
The goal was a reward for Leverkusen’s persistence and Victor Boniface’s intelligent positioning. The 22-year-old Nigerian forward has been in excellent form this season, and his strike against Milan marked his third goal in two Champions League matches. Under Xabi Alonso, Boniface has flourished, becoming a key figure in Leverkusen’s attacking lineup.
Milan’s Late Resurgence
After going behind, AC Milan began to grow into the game. Stefano Pioli’s men, who had looked sluggish for much of the match, finally began to show the attacking intent that has defined their Serie A campaign. Rafael Leão and Theo Hernandez led Milan’s resurgence, with both players trying to unlock Leverkusen’s defense.
As the clock ticked down, Milan came agonizingly close to equalizing. In the 83rd minute, Hernandez unleashed a powerful long-range shot that took a wicked deflection, sending the ball looping towards goal. Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky could only watch as the ball rattled off the crossbar.
Alvaro Morata had a golden opportunity on the follow-up but sent his header narrowly wide of the post, much to the frustration of the traveling Milan supporters.
Leverkusen Hold Firm
Despite Milan’s late surge, Leverkusen held firm defensively, with Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba producing commanding performances at the heart of the defense. As Milan pressed for a late equalizer, Leverkusen managed to absorb the pressure, showing a resilience that has become a hallmark of Xabi Alonso’s tenure.
Speaking after the match, Alonso praised his team’s performance but admitted they needed to be more clinical in finishing off games. “We were the better team for large periods of the match, but we should have scored more to avoid a tense ending. Credit to Milan, they fought back, but we’re happy to get the win and continue our strong start.”
Milan’s Struggles Continue
For Milan, the defeat marks a concerning start to their Champions League campaign. After a disappointing 3-1 home loss to Liverpool, Pioli’s side had hoped to bounce back with a positive result in Germany. Instead, they find themselves without a point after two games and in urgent need of a win to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
“We didn’t do enough in the first half,” admitted Pioli in his post-match interview. “We grew into the game, but by then it was too late,” he said.
Milan’s attack looked disjointed for much of the match, with star players like Leão and Morata struggling to make an impact until the closing stages. The absence of their usual sharpness in the final third ultimately cost them, despite a late rally that nearly salvaged a point.
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