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The Rossoneri maintained their perfect start to the new season by clinching a hard-won victory at Parkhead
Milan continued in top form and equaled a 56-year-old club record by beating Celtic in their first match of the Europa League group stage.
Celtic suffered a 3-1 loss at home to Milan on Thursday night after 90 minutes of action from start to finish.
The Hoops got off to a strong start, but ended up behind in the 14th minute when Rade Krunic headed off a cross from Samu Castillejo.
The visitors doubled their lead towards the end of the half with a good shot from Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz, forcing Neil Lennon to shuffle his pack at half-time.
Celtic brought in Mohamed Elyounoussi and Ryan Christie for the second period, prompting a change of momentum when Milan retired to try to protect their two-goal lead.
Their tenacious rearguard was finally violated in the 76th minute, with a header from Elyounoussi that gave the hosts hope of a late comeback, but the Italian team had the last word in injury time.
Lennon’s team froze at halftime as they looked for an equalizer, and Jens Petter Hauge calmly laid the ball over Vasilis Barkas in the Celtic net after Alexis Saelemaekers played inside.
Milan moved into second place in the Group A starting standings on goal difference after the result, with Lille on top after winning 4-1 at Sparta Prague in the other group match.
The Rossoneri have now scored two or more goals in 10 straight games for the first time since 1964, extending their perfect start to the 2020-21 campaign in the process.
1964 – AC Milan have scored more than 2 goals in 10 consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since December 1964, 56 years ago. Dynamite. #UEL # CelticMilan pic.twitter.com/dvLrjh6zws
– OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 22, 2020
Stefano Pioli has already seen his side break to the top of Serie A with four straight wins, including a derby win over Inter last weekend, with a home game against Roma next Monday.
The seven-time Champions League winners will return to Europa League action three days later when Sparta Prague arrives at the San Siro, before the focus shifts to a Serie A meeting with Hellas Verona.
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