Milan’s first Champions League home game since 2014 ended with a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to La Liga champions Atletico Madrid after playing most of the game with 10 men.

Portugal forward Rafael Leao grabbed the game’s opening goal, but teammate Franck Kessie was sent off soon after for two soft bookable offences. Antoine Griezmann grabbed an equaliser with minutes remaining, before Luis Saurez’s stoppage time penalty earned Atleti all three points.

Former Real Madrid man Brahim Diaz had the game’s first half chance, but couldn’t trouble Jan Oblak with an effort from distance. Milan continued to fly forward in numbers though and were causing the visitors real problems, and Oblak was called into real action when he produced a stunning save to deny Ante Rebic when put through on goal.

But Atletico’s luck soon ran out after Leao’s driven finish from the resulting corner put Milan in front.

For all of the Rossoneri’s incredible work early on though, they were put under the cosh when Kessie received a second yellow card shortly before the half hour mark.

That didn’t stop Milan from continuing to venture forward though, and Leao nearly doubled his tally for the evening but the crossbar kept out his stunning overhead kick from range.

The average age of the hosts‘ starting XI was just 23, and the experienced heads of Atletico were keen to hassle and harry Milan having already seen Kessie receive his marching orders.

Diego Simeone’s side had a lot of the ball but created little, though Suarez came close after the interval, but couldn’t convert Joao Felix’s cross.

Atletico failed to break Milan down for much of the second half, but a moment of genius from Antoine Griezmann levelled the scoring, firing home Renan Lodi’s cross.

Alessandro Florenzi nearly put Milan back in front from kick-off, but his searing effort edged wide. Felix had a stinging shot of his own palmed wide by Mike Maignan in stoppage time.

The drama wasn’t over there though, and substitute Pierre Kalulu was adjudged to have handled the ball in his own area, and Luis Suarez converted the resulting penalty in the 97th minute.

---

Mike Maignan (GK) – 6/10 – In terms of saves, had little to do other than pick the ball out of his net, but marshalled his area and defenders well all the same.

Davide Calabria (RB) – 6/10 – The least remarkable of Milan’s defenders, but that says more about how great they were.

Fikayo Tomori (CB) – 8/10 – What a warrior. Hard to believe Chelsea sold him.

Alessio Romagnoli (CB) – 7/10 – Finally back in the starting XI again and put in a great showing.

Theo Hernandez (LB) – 7/10 – The skillset of a marauding winger in a full-back. Almost lost his cool at times but kept himself in check when it mattered.

Franck Kessie (CM) – 3/10 – A questionable second bookable offence, but should have been more careful to avoid such a situation.

Ismael Bennacer (CM) – 7/10 – Cool, calm and collected in midfield. Held the team together in the second half.

Brahim Diaz (AM) – 8/10 – Nearly the complete performance in his 58 minutes on the pitch. Ran out of steam and was replaced by Fode Ballo-Toure.

Alexis Saelemaekers (RW) – 6/10 – Provided little going forward with 11 men, reverted to wing-back with 10.

Ante Rebic (CF) – 6/10 – Hooked for Sandro Tonali after Kessie’s red card. Played well until that point.

Rafael Leao (LW) – 7/10 – Superbly taken goal and was unlucky not to grab another. Subbed before the hour mark for a more focal point in Olivier Giroud.

Sandro Tonali (CM) – 7/10 – Brought energy and steel to the midfield again after Kessie’s dismissal.

Fode Ballo-Toure (LWB) – 6/10 – Slot in at the back and held his position well.

Olivier Giroud (CF) – 4/10 – Had very little service (obviously), but was very poor with whatever he did get.

Alessandro Florenzi (RWB) – N/A

Pierre Kalulu (CB) – N/A – Gave away the handball but little he could do about it.

Jan Oblak (GK) – 7/10 – Similarly had little to do, but his huge save at 0-0 shows he’s still at the peak of his powers.

Kieran Trippier (RB) – 4/10 – Brought off for Joao Felix before half-time as Simeone looked to take the game to Milan.

Jose Gimenez (CB) – 5/10 – Missed a crucial interception in the events leading up to Milan’s opener.

Felipe (CB) – 6/10 – Little to do on his side before or after the red card.

Mario Hermoso (LB) – 5/10 – Didn’t do anything wrong but Simeone clearly wanted a more attacking option at full-back after the Kessie red card.

Marcos Llorente (RM) – 5/10 – A prolific goal threat last season, but was unable to threaten the Milan goal at all.

Koke (CM) – 4/10 – Completely ineffectual. Brought off for Antoine Griezmann.

Geoffrey Kondogbia (CM) – 4/10 – Continually caught out of position. Picked up a cheap booking in the second half.

Yannick Carrasco (LM) – 4/10 – Incredibly ineffectual in the first half and unsurprisingly brought off at the break.

Angel Correa (CF) – 4/10 – Not convinced he touched the ball.

Luis Suarez (CF) – 6/10 – Looked a yard off the pace and his poor finishing let him down for most of the match. But scored an away goal in the Champions League for the first time in 25 games.

Joao Felix (AM) – 6/10 – Usually the instigator of anything positive Atleti did, though that was very little.

Renan Lodi (LB) – 6/10 – Got an assist. Job done.

Rodrigo de Paul (CM) – 5/10

Antoine Griezmann (CF) – 6/10 – Got the goal, which was the important thing I guess.

Thomas Lemar (AM) – N/A