Maignan sent off as Bournemouth beat AC Milan 3-0 in Europa League

Early goal and red card

Bournemouth beat AC Milan 3-0 in the third matchday of the Europa League league phase on Thursday, 22 October, at the Vitality Stadium in heavy rain. Justin Kluivert converted a penalty in the 7th minute after a handball by De Winter, so Milan were chasing the game from the start. Mike Maignan was then sent off for striking Tyler Adams in the face, which left the visitors with ten men for the rest of the first half. Sources give different minutes for the dismissal: the 27th in Adnkronos and the 30th in ANSA's live report. Torriani came on in goal and Hutchinson was taken off for Milan.

Second penalty and free kick

Maignan's foul gave Bournemouth a second penalty, which Marcus Tavernier scored in the 32nd minute. Torriani could not prevent it. Amine Adli added the third goal in the 39th minute with a free kick that beat the wall. Milan's second defeat in three European games came with the team trailing from the 7th minute and a man down.

Maignan's apology

On Friday, 23 October, the 31-year-old French goalkeeper apologised on social media for the incident. He said the gesture was not intentional and that, like any goalkeeper, he had wanted to make room in his area. Maignan acknowledged that he had given a bad image, particularly to the young spectators who watch the team. He said the club, the staff and his teammates knew what kind of person and captain he was, and that abandoning them had never been his intention. He added that he and his team were used to interpretations made by certain people and certain media.

Amorim's verdict

Coach Ruben Amorim said the team must learn from the result and not make the same mistakes again. He described the performance as poor in every sense and said it was time to turn the page.

There really wasn't a contest. We need to learn from moments like these, realize that this is part of football, and accept that bad nights happen.

Amorim also said he had not yet spoken with Maignan and that the two would talk once the squad was back in Milan. He added that the team had to return quickly to prepare for the next match, against Udinese.

Standings and next fixtures

Milan have three points from three Europa League matches and sit 24th in the table. Juventus, held 2-2 at home by Rennes, are seventh with seven points from three games. In the Conference League, Atalanta lost 2-0 at Ajax and are 15th on three points from two matches. Milan's next game is against Udinese on Sunday, 25 October. Torriani is set to guard the goal against Ferencváros, another team in the leading pack of the group.