AC Milan Escape Embarrassment With Comeback Win Over Dudelange
AC Milan piled on four second-half goals to end Dudelange's resistance at San Siro on Thursday.
AC Milan avoided humiliation as they came from behind to beat unheralded Dudelange 5-2 and stay well within reach of the Europa League knockout rounds.
Gennaro Gattuso was set to have serious questions asked of his tenure until own goals from Stelvio and Tom Schnell either side of Hakan Calhanoglu's measured finish in the 70th minute rescued a second-half deficit.
Fabio Borini came off the bench to a polish to a scoreline that was highly unflattering when Dominik Stolz and David Turpel struck in the space of 10 minutes to give Dudelange the lead following Patrick Cutrone's opener.
Though undoubtedly far from happy with their performance, the Rossoneri can comfort themselves with knowing they only need a point away to Olympiacos on the final matchday to join Real Betis in advancing from Group F.
The hosts began with admirable intent and it was no surprise to see Cutrone squirm a 21st-minute shot through Landry Bonnefoi following Gonzalo Higuain's clever backheel.
But the early goal only seemed to lull Milan into a slumber that was punished six minutes before the break, Schnell making a nuisance of himself from a corner and midfielder Stolz emphatically dispatching the loose ball.
Gattuso must have been ready to explode when, four minutes after the interval, Cristian Zapata misread a deflection and left Turpel to unerringly pick out the bottom-left corner.
Then came the much-needed response. Cutrone restored parity thanks to a heavy touch off Stelvio in the 66th minute before Calhanoglu stroked home from 20 yards moments later to complete the quickfire turnaround.
The relief was palpable when skipper Schnell headed into his own net at the near post as Borini was left to finalise a result that keeps Milan one point off leaders Betis.