Sparta Prague-Milan: 0-1 - Europa League 2020/2021. Final result and commentary from the game

FULL-TIME: SPARTA PRAGUE 0-1 AC MILAN22:55

Kalulu wins a timely free-kick in his own half under pressure from Soucek. Tatarusanu fires forward. Diaz is flagged offside but it doesn't matter. Milan have sealed the win!22:55

Milan immediately look to kill this game off once and for all. Kessie blazes high and wide from range after receiving a pass from Castillejo. They'll have to wait just a bit longer...22:54

Tatarusanu makes a vital save to preserve Milan's lead! Milan overcommit forward for a throw-in and Karlsson is set through on goal by Soucek! The Swede aims for the bottom left corner but Milan's keeper dives low to his right to tip the shot aside! How crucial will that save prove to be for Milan in this competition?23:17

There'll be five minutes of added time at the end of this game.22:49

Milan substitution. Hauge is replaced by Diaz. The Norwegian looks to have made the difference for Milan.22:54

Hauge cuts into the box to have another pop at goal but it's nothing Heca can't handle. Julis wins a free-kick in his own half after he's fouled by Conti. Lille are still losing. Milan are pretty much home and dry.22:53

Milan look to have got this game under control now thanks to their one-man advantage. The visitors force a corner off Lischka. It doesn't lead to much, but Milan don't need it to.22:47

Castillejo is booked for his less than necessary reaction to Lischka's foul.22:45

To their credit Sparta are still huffing and puffing, although they're not creating much of note. Castillejo wins a free-kick as he's fouled by Lischka.22:44

Sparta substitution. Sacek off. The elder Ladislav Krejci comes on. We'll call him Krejci I and the younger Krejci Krejci II.22:43

Sparta aren't dead and buried yet although Plechaty's sending off has definitely killed their momentum. Krejci fires over from distance, then Julis fizzes an effort just wide of the top left corner from Polidar's header down. 22:39

There's even better news for Milan from Glasgow - Celtic have retaken the lead against Lille. It's 3-2 there now. It very much looks like Milan will go on to top Group H.22:38

Milan substitution. Maldini, who's been a bustling presence in the Italians' midfield, makes way for Kessie.22:36

Heca is booked in the aftermath of Plechaty's challenge for wading into the discussion unnecessarily. Sparta's chances of an equaliser may well have drastically lowered now they're down to 10 men. It's good news for Milan.22:36

RED CARD FOR PLECHATY! Soucek is crowded out on the edge of Milan's box and Milan counter. Plechaty mistimes his tackle on Leao and brings the Brazilian down. It's from behind and it's not pretty. The referee doesn't hesitate to show the Sparta centre-back a straight red.22:35

Plechaty slides in to stop Maldini bursting down the right flank for Milan. Milan get the throw-in. Sparta soon get their own throw-in down the same side.22:32

Kalulu does well to prevent Sparta getting down their right. The hosts win a throw-in which Karlsson promptly wastes. Milan goal-kick.22:31

Lille have just equalised against Celtic - it's 2-2 in Glasgow now. Milan need to hold onto their lead if they want to stay top of this group.22:29

You can't blame Pioli for making a change and bringing Colombo off. Milan are starting to find themselves under increasing pressure.22:28

Milan make a substitution. Leao comes on for the quiet Colombo.22:26

Sparta come close to scoring again! The hosts win a corner down their left. Milan clear initially but Karlsson cuts inside and floats a shot-cum-cross towards Soucek at the far post. Soucek just can't reach the header! Milan survive with the goal-kick.22:27

Next, the hardworking Minchev is replaced by Julis, one of Sparta's first-choice forwards.22:26

Sparta make a few changes. Plavsic also makes way. The Swedish midfielder Karlsson comes on.22:24

Sparta have edged possession so far in this second half. The hosts still aren't having too many shots but they're definitely seeing more of the ball.22:21

The flag goes up against Plavsic. The Sparta man pulls up with what looks like cramp and goes off for some treatment. Play continues for now.22:20

We're getting a bit more action in this game now as Sparta clearly don't want to go down without a fight. Plechaty slides in on Castillejo and gives away the foul.22:17

Chance for Sparta! Polidar's cross from the left is cleverly flicked by Minchev to Krejci at the far post. Krejci forces the save from Tatarusanu and wins a corner. Milan break upfield and Castillejo curls a shot into the arms of Heca.22:20

Plavsic makes the most of a tackle from Conti and gets the free-kick. The Serbian sends the cross in and Hauge quickly gets rid of it.22:13

Wiesner leaves the pitch temporarily to tape up his feet. Sparta's right wing-back soon makes his way back onto the field.22:11

Sparta work the ball nicely down their left and Duarte comes across to punt away. Lischka retains possession for the hosts.22:10

Krejci goes up against Tatarusanu for a cross in the box but the Milan keeper is up for the test. Up the other end, Hauge rolls a tame shot straight at Heca from just inside the area.22:08

Maldini is booked for that challenge. He's been tenacious in his interceptions so far in this game but will have to be a bit more cautious now.22:07

Soucek glides past a few Milan players on the edge of his own box but has to wait for further support. Sparta get a free-kick as Maldini catches Polidar with a high foot.22:06

There's a nasty-looking coming together between Lischka and Conti as Lischka slides in. Conti rightly protests his innocence but Lischka was within his rights to challenge for the ball. Thankfully both players are fine to continue. Milan get the free-kick.22:04

The second half is starting. No more changes by either side at half-time.22:02

It's not been the most exciting game so far, truth be told, but there's still been enough intrigue to make it worth watching. Sparta have averaged two goals a game in their five group games before this, so they definitely have a goal in them if they want it, even if it would be more to Lille's benefit than theirs.21:56

Milan lead at the break through Hauge's nicely taken goal. The visitors have been marginally the better side but Sparta are doing enough to make life difficult for the Italians. Celtic are beating Lille 2-1 in Glasgow at the moment, so Milan top Group H as things stand.21:51

HALF-TIME: SPARTA PRAGUE 0-1 AC MILAN21:49

Plavsic wins a free-kick down Sparta's left as Tonali rudely nudges him off the ball. The delivery comes in and Tonali clears. That'll be that for now.21:48

Sparta make an early substitution as Karabec goes off. It's unclearly whether it's tactical or due to injury. The Czech winger Krejci - the younger of Sparta's two Krejcis - comes on.22:42

There'll be one added minute in this first half.21:45

Polidar is booked for barging in Conti well after the full-back had passed the ball on. It's an obvious yellow card.22:01

Kalulu is well-placed to prevent Wiesner's cross from becoming anything more dangerous. Sparta try to fling the ball into the box again and Kalulu wins the header to send Milan on their way.21:43

Milan press Sparta into a mistake as the hosts try to play out from the back. Castillejo jinks between two Sparta defenders and fires low at the near post. Heca is there to block.21:41

Dalot breaks through midfield and causes a little havoc among Sparta's defence. Milan can't do much with it this time but the left-back has shown plenty of energy so far.21:40

Milan go forward again. Castillejo slips Maldini in on the overlap and Maldini fires a low cross in. Sparta clear. Castillejo is penalised for a foul anyway.21:38

Haueg tries to beat Wiesner again but this time finds his run blocked off. The referee waves play on. Sparta look to counter through Soucek and Krunic fouls him. Krunic receives a yellow card.21:36

Castillejo spots Maldini on the run into the box and takes a step inside onto his left foot to curl the ball in. Maldini stretches to reach it at the far post but it's just beyond the midfielder's reach.21:34

Krunic's pass forward is cut out but Kalulu picks up the pieces for Milan. The move ends in a Sparta free-kick.21:32

Milan get a corner again. Both sides have had four already now. Tonali finds Colombo free in the penalty area but the teenager's header bounces into the turf and out for a goal-kick. 21:30

Wiesner gets free down the right and knocks a cross off Dalot for a Sparta corner. Milan see it out easily enough.21:28

Minchev feels the wrath of the offside flag after straying behind Milan's defensive line. Sparta's strikers are certainly making themselves useful.21:29

Milan looked buoyed by that goal and go back on the attack. It breaks down when Conti fouls Polidar in an aerial challenge.21:25

Dalot's burst down the flank created that goal but the finish was all Hauge's. Milan have the lead after what has been a fairly even start to the half.21:24

Milan have managed to get the ball again now. Dalot carries the ball down the left and...21:22

Sparta are still on top at the moment. Plavsic wriggles free in the box to flash the ball across goal but there's no one else in a red shirt there.21:21

Sparta are working hard to keep Milan pinned in their own defensive third without threatening them hugely. Conti hands the hosts another corner and Karabec has a shot blocked from the left of the box.21:18

Sparta win a corner off Kalulu. Milan clear and Krunic starts to carry the ball forward before Sacek crudely brings him down. Sacek is booked. He'll miss his next European match, whenever that will be.21:17

Milan have had 65 per cent possession of the ball so far. The visitors are on top but haven't created a huge amount yet.21:15

Milan are starting to settle in possession. Maldini slips in Castillejo down the right channel. The flag goes up against Castillejo who's just strayed offside.21:14

Weisner clips Hauge to the left of Sparta's box, giving Milan a free-kick. Tonali lofts it in and Plechaty heads it out for a Milan corner. Sacek gives Milan a second corner from the first but Sparta hold firm each time.21:11

Conti gives Sparta their first corner of the game. It's clerared as far as Sacek who floats the ball back into the danger area. Polidar latches onto it and flicks a tame effort towards Milan's goal. Tatarusanu has it covered.21:10

Plavsic gets caught offside from Polidar's throughball. Sparta certainly look up for making this a competitive game.21:08

Chance for Milan! Conti crosses in from right-back and his counterpart Dalot is in the box to smash a shot towards the bottom left corner. Sparta's goalkeeper Heca blocks it with his legs! Milan get a corner which doesn't lead to very much.21:07

Sparta get an early chance on goal as Plavsic heads wide to the left from Wiesner's cross into the box. The hosts have little to play for but pride which could make them more dangerous.21:19

And we're underway here in Prague!21:04

The two sides are out on the pitch in Prague. Sparta are wearing their home kit of red shirts and white shorts. Milan are wearing their away strip of white shirts and black shorts.21:04

Historically, Milan have had Sparta's number. Milan have faced Sparta seven times without losing in major UEFA European competition, winning five of those games. However, Sparta are strong at home at this level - they've lost just one of their last 17 Europa League group stage home matches. The last two meetings between these sides in Prague have ended goalless. Will Milan get the result they need?20:52

Sparta are much-changed from the side that lost 2-1 to Lille last time out in this competition. Only Plechaty and Soucek remain in the starting 11. Milan also take the change to rest players, making seven changes from their 4-2 win over Celtic. Goalscorers in that game Castillejo and Hauge stay in, while Conti captains the side.20:48

SUBS: Davide Calabria, Leonardo Moleri, Rafael Leao, Matteo Gabbia, Antonio Donnarumma, Theo Hernandez, Mateo Musacchio, Ante Rebic, Franck Kessie, Antonio Mionic, Brahim Diaz.20:42

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Ciprian Tatarusanu; Andrea Conti (c), Leo Duarte, Pierre Kalulu Kyatengwa, Diogo Dalot; Daniel Maldini, Sandro Tonali, Rade Krunic; Samu Castillejo, Lorenzo Colombo, Jens Hauge.21:26

SUBS: Lukas Julis, Matej Rynes, Dominik Holec, Ladislav Krejci, Michal Travnik, Ladislav Krejci, Adam Gabriel, Matej Hanousek, Andreas Vindheim, Florin Nita, David Moberg Karlsson.20:38

SPARTA PRAGUE (3-5-2): Milan Heca (c); Martin Vitík, Dominik Plechaty, David Lischka; Tomas Wiesner, Michal Sacek, Filip Soucek, Adam Karabec, Matej Polidar; Martin Minchev, Srdan Plavsic.20:37

However, Milan would be wrong to take this match lightly. While Sparta Prague are already out, top spot in Group H remains up for grabs with Lille currently a point ahead of Milan and visiting rock-bottom Celtic in their final grouip game. An easier ride awaits Milan in the round of 32 if results go their way. It's up to them to do their bit.20:37

Stefano Pioli's Milan might be forgiven for taking it easy in this game. Milan have already secured their qualification for the Europa League knockout phase and sit five points clear at the top of Serie A. With a busy festive period ahead, you couldn't blame them if they view this game as a formality.20:31

Hello! Welcome to our live text commentary of this UEFA Europa League Group H match between Sparta Prague and AC Milan at Generali Arena.20:26

Dove si gioca la partita:

Stadio: Generali Arena
Città: Praga
Capienza: 20854 spettatori20:26