Nigerian striker Samuel Chukwueze proved himself with his first-ever goal for AC Milan since moving from Villarreal to the Italian side in the last transfer window, even though they lost 3-1 to Borussia Dortmund on matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League played at the San Siro on Tuesday night.
Chukwueze’s 37th-minute brilliant finish (albeit deflected) restored parity for the home side who were one goal down following Marco Reus’ lead for Borussia Dortmund from the penalty spot after David Calabria brought down Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
Chukwueze, 24, got the ball on the right-hand side, weaved past Ramy Bensebaini and Bynoe-Gittens skillfully, and fired the ball into the bottom corner and it was deflected into the goalpost by Nico Schlotterbeck.
In the 59th minute, however, Bynoe-Gittens fired the ball into the bottom left corner from Marcel Sabitzer’s pass to restore Borussia Dortmund’s lead.
The Bundesliga side’s victory was eventually sealed by Karim Adeyemi with a shot too powerful to be saved by the goalkeeper, Mike Maignan.
Chukwueze had 51 touches of the ball, completed 86 per cent of his passes, made two key passes, completed four of the eight dribbles he attempted, and won six of the ground duels he contested.
The Nigerian striker has made 12 appearances across all competitions for Stefano Pioli’s side and has mustered two goal involvements.
His club, AC Milan, are at the bottom of Group F with the 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund.
Group F, known as the ‘Group of Death’ because of its strong competitors, boasts French aristocrats Paris St Germain (PSG), AC Milan, Borrussia Dortmund, and English side Newcastle.
With their 3-1 victory over AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund have advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Dortmund are top of Group F and with three points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain after the French team rescued a 1-1 draw at home that keeps them in a position to qualify for the last 16.
PSG Manager Luis Enrique breathed a massive sigh of relief after Kylian Mbappe struck home a penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time to earn the club a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle United, who are now in serious danger of a group-stage exit.
PSG, who have reached the last-16 at least for the last 11 seasons, are at second spot with seven points and will face Borussia Dortmund in their final group match. They need a win in Dortmund to guarantee a last-16 place, but they could also lose and still progress depending on the outcome of the other match fixtures.
With five points, seven-time European champions AC Milan will have to win their upcoming game against Newcastle to stand a chance of qualifying for the round of 16. As for Newcastle, they must win in their last game with AC Milan and only hope PSG do not win if they are to grab second spot.
As AC Milan prepare to battle Newcastle in their last Group match, the Nigerian international can prove to be a very vital player for the club, even as they battle for the Italian League while sitting in 3rd position with Inter and Juventus above them. He has been out injury and has regained full fitness.
