Bournemouth beat AC Milan 3-0 in third European appearance

Bournemouth beat AC Milan 3-0 at Vitality Stadium on Thursday, recording a victory over the seven-time European champions in only their third appearance in European competition. BBC Sport reported that Justin Kluivert opened the scoring as the hosts continued a continental campaign that has contrasted sharply with their domestic results.

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Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off after 27 minutes, leaving the Italian side to play most of the match with ten men. Bournemouth had already been the stronger team before his dismissal, according to the BBC's account. Marcus Tavernier added a second penalty before substitute Amine Adli scored a late free-kick, according to the Guardian.

The result extended a run of European wins against opponents with recent experience at the highest continental level. Bournemouth have now beaten Real Sociedad, Sturm Graz and Milan this season. BBC Sport noted that all three clubs had played in the Champions League within the previous three years, underlining the pedigree of the opposition Bournemouth have overcome.

Their league form has been considerably less productive. Bournemouth have collected six points from their first seven Premier League matches, while Milan were fourth in Serie A. Thursday's meeting also produced an unusual contrast in team selection: the visitors started three English players, one more than the two in Bournemouth's starting line-up.

Kluivert's opening goal carried a family connection to Milan's European history. His father, Patrick, scored Ajax's winner against the same club in the Champions League final 31 years earlier. For Bournemouth, the occasion came after a much longer climb: the club narrowly avoided liquidation in 2008, well before reaching nights such as this.

Speaking to TNT Sports, midfielder Ryan Christie highlighted the significance for supporters who had followed that journey. As reported by the BBC, he said Bournemouth had been 17th in League One 15 years earlier and described winning on such an occasion as special for those fans. The victory also formed part of a strong European week for English clubs, who lost only one of their nine matches.