Milan paid the price for two naïve early errors from Koni De Winter and Mike Maignan, as the goalkeeper saw red and Bournemouth converted two penalties to maintain a perfect Europa League record.
The Rossoneri were finding their feet with three wins in the last four competitive games, but still chasing in the Europa League after that disastrous 2-0 home defeat to Benfica. Alphadjo Cisse celebrated his 20th birthday and was back after a hat-trick in the 4-1 victory away to RB Salzburg, but Goncalo Ramos, Samuel Chukwueze, Alexis Saelemaekers and Matteo Gabbia were injured, with Filippo Terracciano suspended.
The Cherries finished sixth in the Premier League last season and had a perfect European record this term, beating Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz. Alex Scott and Eli Junior Kroupi were injured, with Fraser Forster, Max Aarons, Julian Araujo, Juanlu Sanchez, Daniel Jevvison and Veljko Milosavljevic not on their UEFA list. Michele Di Gregorio made only his second Bournemouth appearance after the loan move from Juventus.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: General view inside the stadium as fans of Bournemouth unveil a tfio before the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between AFC Bournemouth and AC Milan at Bournemouth Stadium on October 22, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
It was a nightmare start for the Italians, because Koni De Winter grazed his fingertips to the Evanilson header on a corner and VAR spotted it for the inevitable penalty. Justin Kluivert stepped up, converting past Mike Maignan, following in the footsteps of his father and ex-Milan striker Patrick.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between AFC Bournemouth and AC Milan at Bournemouth Stadium on October 22, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Maignan smothered the Ryan Christie snapshot from outside the area, then scrambled across to push the deflected James Hill effort round the far post.
However, the game was transformed on the resulting corner, because Tyler Adams was bumping up against Maignan, who reacted by shoving him away. The referee saw this and flashed a straight red card, also awarding a penalty under the new rules which state the ball doesn’t have to be in play.
Lorenzo Torriani came on and his first task was to take the ball out of the net, as this time Marcus Tavernier stepped up to convert from the spot.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between AFC Bournemouth and AC Milan at Bournemouth Stadium on October 22, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Fikayo Tomori almost gifted Bournemouth a third when he was caught in possession in the centre circle and brought down Evanilson for a yellow card.
Rayan’s header was over the bar, but Milan threatened to get one back when De Winter knocked on the Diego Moreira free kick to force a desperate Lewis Cook clearance.
The Cherries were forced into a change, as substitute Alex Toth sustained a muscular injury.
Bournemouth added a third late on when Amine Adli’s free kick bent around a misplaced Milan wall to surprise Torriani at the near top corner.
Torriani prevented a fourth with a great reaction save on the Rayan angled drive.
Bournemouth 3-0 Milan
Kluivert pen 8 (B), Tavernier pen 32 (B), Adli 84 (B)
Sent off: Maignan 28 (M)