Milan’s afternoon at Bournemouth turned sharply before the half-hour, with Mike Maignan sent off and the visitors falling two goals behind in a sequence that left a disciplinary question hanging over the match.
Bournemouth were already in front when they won a corner in the 27th minute. Before the kick was taken, Maignan became involved in a confrontation with Adams in the penalty area.
Quick facts
- Maignan was dismissed in the 27th minute after an incident with Adams before a Bournemouth corner.
- Referee Fotias awarded Bournemouth a penalty as well as showing the Milan goalkeeper a red card.
- VAR reviewed the incident and upheld the on-field decisions.
- Adams was later booked for obstructing Maignan.
- Torriani replaced Hutchinson, but Tavernier converted the penalty in the 32nd minute for 2-0.
Under pressure from Adams, the French goalkeeper pushed his opponent away and appeared to put a hand to his face. Adams went down immediately, and referee Fotias reacted by pointing to the spot and dismissing Maignan.
The VAR review did not alter the outcome. Although Adams was cautioned for impeding Maignan’s movement, that did not change the punishment imposed on the Milan captain.
Amorim responded by bringing on young academy goalkeeper Torriani, with Hutchinson making way. Torriani’s first major task was to face Tavernier from the penalty spot, and the Bournemouth player converted five minutes later to double the home side’s advantage.
The incident may yet invite closer examination. A later frame suggested that Maignan’s contact with Adams may have begun before the corner had been delivered, raising the question of whether the dismissal could stand while the penalty itself should not have been awarded under the regulations.
For Milan, however, the immediate damage was plain: a difficult away start became a match played with ten men and a two-goal deficit, leaving the side to chase the contest from a deeply compromised position.
