Despite their red-hot domestic form, AC Milan have been struggling on the European front and sat bottom of the group at the start of play. It was easy to see why after their start to this game, and it didn’t take long for Porto to punish them. Marko Grujić robbed Ismaël Bennacer of possession 25 yards from goal and retained the composure to find Luis Díaz, who coolly slotted home. Grujić forced Ciprian Tătăruşanu into a fantastic save to keep the deficit at one and give his side a platform to search for a leveller. Olivier Giroud nearly found just that, but his left-footed effort had whip and dip, but not the pace to beat Diogo Costa, who flew across his goal to tip over the bar.
The hosts were gifted the chance to level the scores moments before the break when Olivier Giroud capitalised upon some statuesque Porto defending to find Alexis Saelemaekers at the back post, but he blazed over on the volley. The second half started much like the first, with Porto on the offensive, and Milan had the woodwork to thank for the ‘Dragões’ not being out of sight. Pepe rose highest at the back post to head Sérgio Oliveira’s free-kick back across goal where Evanilson was waiting, but his header cannoned back off the crossbar.
Milan had offered precious little in front of goal, but Porto gave them a helping hand in the form of an own goal. Pierre Kalulu provided the spark off the bench, and his fizzing cross bamboozled Chancel Mbemba, who could do no more than turn the ball into his own net. Prior to tonight, Porto had gone nine competitive games without a draw, but they were happy to settle for a point on this occasion – arresting their slide of three successive defeats on Italian soil
