Analysis The numbers behind the result
Bournemouth's dominance compounded by Milan's early implosion
Bournemouth's 3-0 victory was fully merited, with their 3.22 xG dwarfing Milan's meagre 0.17, reflecting total control after Mike Maignan's 27th-minute red card. The Cherries' 64% possession yielded 20 shots (7 on target) to Milan's 3 (none on target), with two first-half penalties (converted by Justin Kluivert in the 8th minute and Marcus Tavernier in the 32nd) effectively settling the contest before Amine Adli's late strike. Milan's xG of just 0.17 - the lowest ever recorded by an Italian side in Europa League history - tells the story of their attacking impotence after going down to ten men.
Milan's discipline unravelled with Maignan's dismissal and three further yellows, while Bournemouth's full-backs (António Silva and Adrien Truffert) combined for 12 progressive carries as they exploited the numerical advantage. The decisive stat was Bournemouth's 11 shots inside the box to Milan's 2 - a testament to their ability to carve open a depleted defence despite Milan's low block after the red card. This was systemic domination, not just scoreline inflation.