When the draw for the UEFA Europa League was made, all attention shifted to one particular game as the UEFA computer paired AFC Bournemouth with Italian giants AC Milan.

The European dream for the Cherries was already enough, but hosting European giants and seven-time European Cup winners AC Milan at Dean Court? Crazy times.

As is the position in modern-day football, as a competitive Premier League side, AFC Bournemouth were deemed by many as the favourites heading into the game, and as the first storm of the autumn season approached the south coast, AC Milan were indeed blown away by the Cherries.

The Cherries bombarded the AC Milan box early on but were handed a penalty by the UEFA VAR team. Not a single player had appealed for the penalty, but a handball was spotted and a penalty awarded. Up stepped Justin Kluivert to put the home side 1-0 up.

If that wasn’t enough, a second penalty was awarded when Milan’s captain and goalkeeper pushed Tyler Adams in the face as a corner was swung in. The referee, with no hesitation, instantly brandished the red card. The visitors would claim it was harsh; he wasn’t looking at Adams, he was just trying to create space, they would say. But referees, particularly in Europe, treat any contact to the face as violent conduct.

From that point on, AFC Bournemouth never really had a need to get out of second gear and controlled the game, until a final flourish towards the end when they pushed for a third; Lewis Cook, unfortunately, through on goal, was called back for an earlier foul. Rayan headed one chance over the bar and saw a second well saved; Truffert blasted a thunderous strike just wide, but it was Adli who added himself to the AFC Bournemouth highlights reels for the next decade with a wonder strike that would have rivalled any from former AC Milan player David Beckham.

Man of the Match against AC Milan

Hill

Gannon-Doak

Christie

Antonio

Truffert

Evanilson

Tavernier

Adams

Adli

After the game, AFC Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose told Sky Sports…

“A big night for us. I’m happy for the club, our fans especially and really proud of my lads. The way they did it was brilliant from the first minute until the last minute; we played a really good game. 

“Even with 11 against 11 we started well, we put pressure on them, we got one penalty. Then the red card makes something of the game. Sometimes you get in trouble in these situations but, like on Sunday, we did it really well. We didn’t give anything to them. 

“It suits us to stay humble. We know we are good. We know if we have the whole squad we can compete with everyone everywhere but the season is long.” 

BillyTheKid

This sums up what was a great night for our club and fans.

AFCB, 20 shots 7 on target. AC Milan 3 shots, 0 on target.

Really good atmosphere again tonight, even with the rain pouring down.

These are the nights you savour as a Cherries fan.

After beating Sturm Graz on the previous Thursday, our team came out with ‘fire in their bellies’ to face Sunderland at home on Sunday and beat them 2-0 for our first league win of the season.

So our fans and our team went into this game against the Italian ‘giants’ full of confidence, and it paid off.

Two penalties and the AC Milan goalkeeper being red-carded in a space of 24 first-half minutes decided this game.

Substitute Adli made it 3-0 with 6 minutes of normal time to go in the second half with a very well taken free kick to put the icing on the cake.

Also, it was our third win and clean sheet in a row and 3rd in the table, on 9 points, which five other sides also have.

Now bring on Manchester United.

Another record attendance tonight of 12,130.

afcb_rednblack

We should have scored five. Rose out!

Seriously, what a night, what a team, what a result, what an atmosphere and what a club.

Never in the days of the Winter Gardens, when on the verge of administration and when deducted -17 points, did I ever think we’d be in the PL. To be in the Europa League, unbeaten and beating the mighty AC Milan, well, I’m having to pinch myself…

RobTrent

Superb night. Loved it, even the Freed from desire song at the end!

They played the Zombie song at the end just for the blacksmith. Hope it came across well.

Ruben Amorim, it’s happening again!

Even people standing for a minute in the Ted shed!

Pinch me.

RedHarry

I walked into the Man In The Wall spoons in Wimborne after the game.
3 young lads came up to me and wanted to know about the game, then another bloke who was a Newcastle fan started up a conversation – he couldn’t believe the score- then 2 more blokes at a table stopped me and engaged in a chat about the game. It took me at least 10 minutes to sit down with my pint. Unbelievable how life has changed as a Boscombe supporter.

Ted’s Shed

Wow, just wow!!
An incredible night.
Easy to get in, hardly a search.
Atmosphere was amazing.
Tifo was magnificent.
The performance was out of this world; we absolutely battered AC bloody Milan!!

As we walked back to the car last night, my lad looked up to me and said, I remember when you told me to drink it all in when we had Deano and Zabs as you said it won’t get any better than this… how wrong were you!!!

I thought of all the Cherries fans, past and present, who couldn’t be there last night; that result was for you!! – To join the conversation, please click here.