Two games into the Champions League group stage and AC Milan have secured just one point. Referee Szymon Marciniak officiated the game. Milan Press analysed his performance.
The first half began with both teams trying to play openly and hurt the opponent. The game was very quiet and correct on the disciplinary level at first; at the 19th minute, the first yellow card came for Dortmund: Schlotterbeck slid in late and brought down Leao running at full speed on the flank. The yellow card is correct as it interrupted as stopping a promising attack.
After 6 minutes of play, the first yellow card also came for Milan, to Reijnders: the Dutchman stopped Reus in an irregular manner on the halfway line. In this situation, given the slow development of the German action and the large number of Milan defenders, it is difficult to consider the situation as stopping a promising attack, therefore the yellow card is seen as a bit excessive.
A minute later it was the turn of Emre Can who entered untidily with the ball away in a slide on Giroud; in this case, the referee evaluated the imprudence of the intervention and the yellow card is correct.
The second half began with the two teams playing even more openly, creating chances from one side and the other. At the 56th minute, Borussia players protested for a presumed handball in the area by Pobega; the referee says to continue and is right, as it is evident the touch with the head of the Italian player.
At the 80th minute, Leao, always accelerating, leads to another yellow card: this time it is Hummels who, seeing himself overtaken, brings down the Portuguese launched in the open field, blocking a potential goalscoring opportunity.
Finally, at the 90th minute, Milan and Pioli complain about a possible penalty for a push by the German defender on Florenzi; reviewing the action in replay, the contact between the two players is too light to grant a penalty, so the Polish referee whistle is good not to grant the penalty to Milan.
