Craiova try to push forward on one last attack after winning the ball back deep inside their own half of the pitch, but they're unable to find a way through the sea of red and black shirts camped in front of them before the referee blows his whistle for the final time.
90' +2
M. Briceag gets yellow.
An attempted Craiova attacking move fails to result in a chance on goal, allowing Milan to counter quickly. Niang is initially fouled but Conti keeps flying forward, and he is then cynically barged off the ball by Briceag. The new Rossoneri defender doesn't react well to the Romanian's foul, and there's a slight coming together between the two before the left-back is shown a yellow card.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
89'
Another Craiova free-kick sails into a dangerous position inside the Milan penalty area, where Musacchio is just about able to poke the ball behind for a corner. The set-piece manages to pick out a white shirt, but, once again, the Italian side do well to clear the danger.
88'
It's all Craiova at the moment as they hosts continue to put the Milan back line under plenty of pressure. Baluta, who is now operating primarily over on the left wing, cuts past two players on the edge of the penalty area before shooting, but his low effort is well saved by Donnarumma.
86'
Niang accidentally catches Gustavo from behind a concedes a free-kick in a dangerous position out wide. It's Baluta who curls a great cross into the middle of the box, but Milan are just about able to deal with the danger after a few nervy moments.
84'
Silva is presented with another chance to unleash a strike from outside of the penalty area after doing well to shake off his marker, but he's unable to do so quickly enough and is eventually closed down by two white shirts.
82'
Bancu breaks into the left-hand side of the Milan box on another determined run, but he's closed down well by Musacchio and has to settle for a corner. The cross in is a good one and manages to pick out Spahija, but, slightly off balance, the Croatian can't hit the target with his headed effort.
81'
M. Roman enters the game and replaces R. Dimitrov.
L. Antonelli enters the game and replaces P. Cutrone.
Craiova have made their third and final change of the night, with Dimitrov makin way for Mihai Roman.
Meanwhile, Milan have brought on Luca Antonelli to replace Cutrone in a defensive switch.
80'
Milan try to pick out Silva with another quickly hit lofted pass up towards the Portuguese forward, but this time the ball is slightly overhit and fails to find the number nine before bouncing out of play for a goal-kick.
Minute
Description
79'
Silva receives the ball in a pocket of space midway inside the hosts' half of the pitch after a Craiova attack breaks down. He does well to skip past Kelic before taking on Briceag, but it's the Romanian who comes out on top with a well-timed interception on the edge of the box.
77'
F. Kessié gets yellow.
Kessie becomes the first player to receive a yellow card after swinging a boot at Zlatinski, who receives an almightly whack to the leg that leaves him in plenty of discomfort.
76'
Niang bursts down the left wing on a marauding run before managing to pick out Cutrone inside the Craiova penalty area. The striker can't make decent contact with the ball, however, as he's easily knocked off it before he can spin and shoot.
75'
Craiova have made another substitution, with Alexandru Mateiu coming on to take the place of Rossi.
74'
A. Mateiu enters the game and replaces F. Rossi.
The ball is needlessly poked behind by Niang, resulting in a corner for Craiova. It initially fails to result in a chance on goal but falls to Renato Kelic, who gives Donnarumma a scare with a close-range header that loops over the top of the crossbar.
73'
A. Conti enters the game and replaces I. Abate.
Milan have decided to bring another new signing on, with Abate making way for Andrea Conti for the final 20 minutes.
72'
More good play by Bancu sees him skip past two players over on the left wing before whipping a cross into the middle of the box. It's slightly underhit though, and Zapata is easily able to clear the danger as a result.
70'
Craiova continue to enjoy a decent spell of possession as they take advantage of space available over on the left flank. This time it's Bancu who unleashes a fierce cross-cum-shot, but it fails to test either the Milan defence or Donnarumma and sails behind for a goal-kick.
68'
Almost a big mistake by Donnarumma! The goalkeeper nonchalantly tries to deal with a backpass but is slightly too slow in doing so, and Baluta manages to get a toe on the ball. Luckily for the Milan youngster, the striker's effort to regain possession doesn't quite come off.
67'
C. Bărbuț enters the game and replaces A. Mitriță.
And now Craiova have made a change, with Cristian Barbut coming on to take the place of Alexandru Mitrita.
66'
André Silva enters the game and replaces F. Borini.
Milan have made their first alteration of the night, with Borini making way for new signing Andre Silva.
65'
Huge opportunity for Cutrone to make it 2-0! A dangerous corner is fired in from the left flank and somehow manages to find the young striker at the far post, but he can't get a good head on the ball and sends his effort comfortably wide from close range.
64'
Craiova are doing much better now, and they're starting to find some joy inside the final third of the pitch. This time it's Mitrita and Briceag who link up nicely deep down the left flank before the latter swings a cross towards the near post, where Baluta sticks out a foot but can't make decent contact with the ball.
63'
Kessie charges forward on a great run as he kick-starts a quick counter-attack. Borini then fires a low cross into the middle of the box and towards Cutrone, but the striker is narrowly beaten to the ball by Spahija.
62'
Craiova continue pushing forward as they try to find a way back into the game, but Baluta can't hit the target from 25 yards out and instead scuffs his speculative effort behind for a goal-kick.
60'
Mitrita goes close to equalising! After a difficult period on the back foot, Gustavo pushes down the right flank and does well to win the hosts a free-kick in a promising position. The set-piece is curled into the middle of the box, where Donnarumma can only punch it as far as Mitrita. The winger quickly sends the ball back towards goal, but his swerving, long-range effort sails a yard or so wide of the far post.
58'
Milan quickly push forward once again as they continue dominating possession. This time Borini is able to get a shot away from just outside of the box after the Craiova defence are unable to fully clear the ball, but his rushed strike bounces well wide of the near post.
56'
Space opens up for Borini as he charges down the left wing and towards the byline, but he's quickly closed down by a group of white shirts and is unable to penetrate the penalty area, forcing him into spinning and working the ball backwards.
54'
Sloppy play by Craiova inside their own half of the pitch gifts Bonaventura with a chance to shoot from 25 yards out. He does so after being left in a pocket of space, but he can't keep his shot down and sends it high and wide of its intended target.
52'
An attempted Craiova attacking move breaks down over on the left wing, allowing Milan to counter quickly. Kessie immediately fires a lovely lofted pass up towards the penalty area and into the path of Cutrone, who charges towards the ball but is beaten to it by Calancea.
50'
Another chance for Niang! The Frenchman barges his way into the Craiova penalty once again before this time managing to hit the target, but Calancea is there to push the strike round the near post and behind for a corner.
49'
Mitrita goes down inside the box, but nothing is given! The winger charges down the left flank and into the penalty area before taking on Musacchio, and he then throws himself to the ground. There was very little contact made on him, however, and the referee rightly tells him to get back to his feet.
47'
Niang is able to carve out an early chance on goal as he skips inside from the left flank and shoots from just inside the penalty area, but there's slightly too much power behind his effort and it flies a few yards over the top of the crossbar.
46'
We're underway once again!
45' +2
Milan continue dominating possession as they patiently move the ball around deep inside the hosts' half of the pitch. They don't seem to be in too much of a rush to push forward, however, and they look content to hold on to their slender lead and take it with them into the break.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
44'
R. Rodríguez has scored a goal for AC Milan!
GOAL! Yes they can! Rodriguez steps up and curls a cross-cum-shot into the heart of the box, where, somehow, it misses everyone before bouncing past Calancea and into the back of the net. Craiova really should have done better defending that!
43'
A deep cross from Bonaventura fails to find a team-mate inside the penalty area but bounces out to Borini, who is then pushed from behind by Bancu and wins a free-kick for Milan. Can they make it count?
41'
Milan come back once again as they try to carve out another chance on goal before the half-time break, but Niang's final touch lets him down and denies him the opportunity to skip into the box from the left flank.
39'
Big opportunity for Rodriguez! A lovely chipped pass bounces through the middle of the Craiova back line and somehow manages to find Rodriguez in front of goal, but the full-back can't get a shot away and eventually loses out to Spahija.
37'
It's all Milan at the moment as they patiently work the ball around inside the Craiova half of the pitch. They're struggling to do much with it, however, as the home side's defence have remained relatively solid under pressure.
35'
Ignazio Abate gets himself into a good position deep down the right flank, but he can't whip a cross in towards Cutrone and has to settle for a corner. Niang's cross is a good one and picks out Zapata, but the defender can't keep his headed effort down.
33'
The play gets underway once again as Rossi continues receiving medical treatment. Borini tries to carve out a chance on goal as he battles with Marius Briceag near the corner flag, but it's the Romanian who comes out on top and shepherds the ball behind for a goal-kick.
31'
Ouch! Fausto Rossi seems to be in quite a bit of discomfort after receiving a clattering from Niang. He initially managed to get the better of the Frenchman out wide but the winger tracked his run and then brought him crashing to the ground with a hefty challenge.
29'
Milan try to play out from the back but almost run into trouble after the Craiova front line quickly press them. However, good play by Ricardo Rodriguez sees him get out of danger and knock the ball back to Donnarumma.
27'
Cutrone hits the post! The Craiova defence splits in two and allows the young striker to burst through on goal. He's only got Calancea to beat and places a low shot to the goalkeeper's right, but it hits the inside of the post and rolls away from danger.
25'
A slight mix-up at the back results in a corner for Milan over on the right wing. It's fired in by Niang and finds Kessie at the near post, but the midfielder can't control the ball and quickly loses out.
23'
Huge chance for Alexandru Mitrita! The forward breaks inside from the left flank on a wonderful run as he easily gets the better of the Milan defence. He then steams into the box and goes one-on-one with Donnarumma, but the goalkeeper pulls off a brilliant diving save to deny him the opening goal of the game.
22'
Lovely footwork by Giacomo Bonaventura sees him skip through the middle of the two Craiova midfielders as he heads down the left channel. He then cuts inside and fires a dangerous low cross into the heart of the penalty area, where it misses both Cutrone and Niang by the narrowest of margins.
20'
Milan quickly win the ball back and work it over to Niang, who then unleashes a thumping strike from 25 yards out after cutting in from the right flank. It fails to get the better of Calancea though, as it's sent straight at the goalkeeper in the middle of the goal.
19'
Fabio Borini twists and turns over on the left-hand side of the home side's penalty area after managing to get himself into a pocket of space. He does well to evade two tackles before chipping a cross over to the far post, but it's overhit and can't find a team-mate.
17'
Another foul, this time by Kessie, presents Craiova with a chance to push forward from a free-kick. They play the ball short before a long pass is thumped down the right flank, where Riccardo Montolivo does well to win back possession before being fouled.
15'
Hristo Zlatinski is barged to the ground as soon as he receives the ball, resulting in a free-kick for the hosts in a dangerous position 30 yards away from goal. Gustavo Di Mauro steps up and swings a cross into the box, but it's overhit and flies straight into the hands of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
13'
Sloppy play from Craiova gifts possession back to Milan and allows the Italian side to plough forward quickly. They can't do much with the ball, however, as Spahija brings an end to an attempted counter-attack with a firm tackle.
11'
Nicusor Bancu embarks on a wonderful run through the middle of the pitch as he dances past several Milan midfielders. He then attempts to pull off a quick one-two Mihail Baluta, but Mateo Musacchio is there to close down the number 10 from behind.
9'
More quick play by Milan sets up Cutrone on the edge of the Craiova box, and he then tries to bring M'Baye Niang into the game with a deft flick. However, he's caught slightly behind the home side's back line and is immediately flagged offside.
7'
Patrick Cutrone peels away from his marker and darts into space over on the left wing. He's then able to swing a dangerous low cross into the heart of the box, where Hrvoje Spahija is able to get a foot on the ball at the vital moment.
5'
Franck Kessie charges through the middle of the pitch on a marauding run before chipping a deft pass into the Craiova penalty area. It fails to pick out a team-mate, however, as Radoslav Dimitrov is there to chest the ball back to Nicolae Calancea.
3'
After an even start to the game from both sides, Milan surrender possession over on the left flank. The hosts then try to hit them with a lofted pass over the top of the Rossoneri's defence, but Cristian Zapata is easily able to get a head to the ball.
1'
We're off! Milan get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Today’s clash marks a much-celebrated return to European football for both sides, but Craiova have had to wait quite a while longer than their opponents. Disbanded in 1994, the club was reformed in 2013 and has quickly climbed up to the upper echelons of the Romanian top tier, resulting in them qualifying for a European competition for the first time since 1993.
Craiova’s last opponents in a European game were Paris Saint-Germain, and they must now face another illustrious opponent in Milan this evening. The new Liga I season got underway two weeks ago with a comfortable 2-0 win, so Devis Mangia’s side certainly should be physically ready for tonight’s challenge.
A disappointing few years for Milan had seen them drop out of Europe since the 2013-14 campaign, but a decent season for them in 2016-17 resulted in a sixth-place finish and a place in the Europa League. The Serie A side’s new owners have splashed the cash over the summer and have boosted their ranks with the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Hakan Calhanoglu and Andre Silva, the latter of whom has been named on the substitutes' bench this evening.
Milan are firm favourites to leave with a win this evening, and they’ve certainly been impressing during the pre-season campaign. Only Borussia Dortmund have managed to get the better of them since the end of last season, with the Rossoneri managing to thump Bayern Munich 4-0 on what was an excellent afternoon last Saturday.
There’s just over fifteen minutes to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Milan substitutes: Mauri, Silva, Conti, Gomez, Storari, Antonelli, Locatelli.
Milan XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Abate, Zapata, Musacchio, Rodriguez; Kessie, Montolivo, Bonaventura; Borini, Cutrone, Niang.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Europa League third qualifying round first leg tie between CSU Craiova and AC Milan at the Stadionul Municipal.
Devis Mangia has decided to make two changes to the Craiova side that started the 1-1 draw against Concorida Chiajna on the weekend, with Alexandru Mitrita and Fausto Rossi coming into the starting line-up to replace Vladimir Screciu and Mihai Roman, respectively.
Meanwhile, Milan boss Vincenzo Montella has named an unchanged side to the one that started the easy win against Bayern in Shenzhen, with new signings Mateo Musacchio, Ricardo Rodriguez, Franck Kessie and Fabio Borini set to start their first competitive game for the club.
The two teams are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: CRAIOVA 0-1 MILAN
The goal may have come from a slightly scruffy free-kick, but Milan nonetheless will be pleased that they lead heading into half-time. They've certainly been the better of the two teams and have enjoyed several bright moments in front of goal, despite their front three failing to properly get the better of the Craiova defence.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half.
FULL-TIME: CRAIOVA 0-1 MILAN
It's advantage Milan at the end of the first leg, and they did well to leave with a well-deserved one-goal lead. They did the hard work in the first half before dropping off slightly after the break, and from then onwards they seemed content to sit deep and soak up the pressure before trying to hit their opponents on the counter-attack.
Craiova managed to carve out a few decent chances as they desperately pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but, in the end, they just didn't have enough in the tank to find a way through the Milan defence. They should feel quietly confident about the second leg, however, as they showed tonight that they are a tough side to play against.
Commentary
More…