Milan-Sparta Prague: 3-0 - Europa League 2020/2021. Final result and commentary from the game

FULL-TIME: AC MILAN 3-0 SPARTA PRAGUE20:47

We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of this game.20:44

Final change for Sparta as Vojtech Patrak replaces Dockal.20:52

Paolo Maldini watches on as his son Daniel is introduced for the final couple of minutes. Krunic makes way.20:42

Milan going through the motions as the clock ticks into the final five minutes. Barring a spectacular collapse, the points are secured and they will take plenty of confidence ahead of Sunday's trip to Udinese.20:42

For all of Sparta's struggles away from home in Europe, this would only be their third defeat on the road in 2020. They will need to regroup quickly ahead of next week's trip to Celtic.20:39

The other Milan change sees the impressive Bennacer make way for Franck Kessie.20:35

Milan also make a double-change. The first sees Leo Duarte replace Romagnoli.09:01

The other change for the visitors sees Travnik replaced by Adam Karabec.20:51

A double-change for Sparta. The first sees Lischka make way for Dominik Plechaty.20:51

Once again, Dalot is the furthest man forward for Milan as he looks to latch onto Diaz's lofted through ball. However, the Real Madrid loanee's attempted pass lacks the required accuracy and Heca collects.20:31

The Sparta defence caught out again and it almost costs them a fourth goal as Castillejo goes through. The Spaniard checks back onto his left foot, but is denied by a crucial block.20:30

As for Sparta, they are already playing catch-up in what is their 38th consecutive European campaign. This would also be a sixth consecutive away defeat on the continent.20:28

Milan fully in control of this game. With Celtic leading Lille in today's other Group H match, they are set to go three points clear at the top. 20:24

Calabria makes way for Milan. He is replaced by Andrea Conti.20:22

Bennacer demonstrated tremendous vision to pick out the run of Dalot, who showed great composure with his finish.20:22

Today sees Kozak return to Italy, where he has previously had spells with Lazio, Brescia, Bari and Livorno. The striker struggled to make a huge impact with Lazio, but was the top scorer during the 2012-13 Europa League.20:19

The other Sparta sub sees Krejci make way for David Moberg Karlsson20:17

Sparta turn to the bench and make a double-change. The first sees Julis replaced by Libor Kozak.20:16

After making his way to the sidelines, Krunic is quickly back in the thick of the action.20:16

A slight concern for the hosts as Krunic is in need of attention after taking an accidental whack to the nose.20:15

That goal means Milan are on course to get back to winning ways after Monday's draw with Roma ended a run of 10 consecutive victories in all competitions. They look comfortable and you would expect them to see this out now.20:14

A terrific ball from Dalot with the outside of his boot put the chance on a plate for Leao.20:12

Milan also came out on top when these sides last met in March 2004. After a 0-0 draw in the Czech Republic, the Rossoneri won 4-1 at San Siro to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko were among the scorers that day.20:10

Pavelka is booked for a foul on Krunic.20:05

Not far away! Castillejo steps inside his marker before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike that is just a bit too high of the target.20:04

Chance! Leao straight into the action as he is put in the clear by Tonali. But the substitute takes too many touches and is denied by Heca, who also does well to keep out Tonali's follow-up.20:03

Off we go! The referee blows his whistle and Milan get the ball rolling once more.20:02

Milan make a change at the break with Rafael Leao replacing Ibrahimovic, who is rested ahead of Sunday's trip to Udinese.20:01

Sparta have caused one or two moments of concern for Milan, but require drastic improvement after the break if they are to leave Italy with anything.19:44

Brahim Diaz's goal separates the sides during what was a dominant first half from AC Milan, who could have been further ahead but for Zlatan Ibrahimovic's missed penalty.19:43

HALF-TIME: AC MILAN 1-0 SPARTA PRAGUE19:43

We are going to have a single minute of stoppage time at the end of this first half.19:41

This is already Milan's fifth match in this season's Europa League. The Rossoneri overcame Shamrock Rovers and Bodo/Glimt in the qualifying rounds, before prevailing on penalties in their play-off tie with Rio Ave.19:40

Diaz and Ibrahimovic look to combine again as Milan go in search of a second goal, but they are crowded out by the Sparta defence on this occasion.19:36

IBRAHIMOVIC HAS MISSED! Don't scratch your eyes; he's human! The Swede steps up and sends the goalkeeper the wrong way, only to see his spot-kick hit the crossbar.19:33

Penalty Miss Zlatan Ibrahimović19:43

PENALTY TO MILAN! Lischka pulls down Ibrahimovic, who was looking to connect with Bennacer's cross. The referee points straight to the spot and books the Sparta defender.09:01

They will be disappointed not to have increased their advantage, but Milan can take plenty of positives from this first-half display. Should the Rossoneri go on to secure victory, it would be their ninth from 12 home games in the Europa League.19:32

Chance! The long ball is proving to be such a vital weapon in Milan's armoury today. This time, Kjaer seeks out Krunic, who times his run to perfection, but Heca is quickly out of goal to close the angle and deny him.19:29

Dockal is shown the game's first yellow card after unintentionally catching Diaz in the face with a high knee.19:25

Diaz looks to get in behind again following neat link-up play with Dalot. However, Vindheim recovers well to deny him a clear sight on goal.19:24

Ibrahimovic was the provider with a terrific ball to pick out Diaz, who calmly did the rest.19:22

At the other end, Ibrahimovic looks to turn provider as he seeks out the run of Castillejo. The Spaniard has just started his run a fraction too early, though, and is rightly ruled offside.19:20

A good opportunity for Sparta, who are awarded a free-kick 30 yards from goal after Vindheim is brought down by Romagnoli. The visitors will want to capitalise here.19:17

Ibrahimovic may be 39 years of age now, but he is certainly showing no signs of slowing down. The Swede already has seven goals to his name this season in all competitions.19:14

Milan threaten again with Ibrahimovic climbing well to meet a corner from the right. But his header is way off target and never troubling the goalkeeper.19:10

Dalot has acres of space as he is found on the left wing. However, his final ball is not the best and Sparta deal with the danger.19:08

Good block! Once again, the long ball causes problems for the Sparta defence. Dalot goes long and his pass is neatly cushioned into the path of Diaz by Ibrahimovic, but the Real Madrid loanee is denied by solid defending.19:06

Unlucky! Good play by Milan as Castillejo sends Calabria down the right. Ibrahimovic gets up well to meet the full-back's cross, but his header is just over the bar.19:03

The hosts beat the offside trap on this occasion and the ball is laid back to the edge of the area for Krunic to strike. But his first-time effort is always rising.19:01

Milan look to get in behind the Sparta defence with a couple of long balls aimed at Dalot and Ibrahimovic. However, the offside flag is raised on both occasions.19:00

The referee blows his whistle and Sparta get us underway!18:56

The players are out on the field and kick-off is moments away.18:54

It is a battle of the table-toppers at San Siro. Milan are top of Serie A with 13 points from a possible six, while Sparta have made a perfect start in the Czech First League with six wins from six.18:48

As for Sparta, Vaclav Kotal makes a couple of alterations from last week's defeat by Lille. It is a tale of the two Ladislav Krejcis. One of them is suspended and replaced by Ondrej Celustka in the heart of defence, while the other comes into the side with David Moberg Karlsson dropping to the bench. 18:45

Stefano Pioli makes five changes to the Milan side that drew with Roma on Monday. Diego Dalot, Sandro Tonali, Samu Castillejo, Rade Krunic and Brahim Diaz all return to the starting XI. Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to lead the line. Gianluigi Donnarumma is absent after recently testing positive for Coronavirus.18:42

SUBS: Florin Nita, Tomas Wiesner, Vojtech Patrak, Frantisek Kotek, Martin Vitik, Dominik Plechaty, David Moberg Karlsson, Libor Kozak, Adam Hlozek, Srdan Plavsic, Matej Polidar, Adam Karabec.18:39

SPARTA PRAGUE (4-2-3-1): Milan Heca; Michal Sacek, Ondrej Celustka, David Lischka, Matej Hanousek; Michal Travnik, David Pavelka; Andreas Vindheim, Borek Dockal (captain), Ladislav Krejci; Lukas Julis.18:34

SUBS: Antonio Donnarumma, Hakan Calhanoglu, Andrea Conti, Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez, Pierre Kalulu, Daniel Maldini, Lorenzo Colombo, Leo Duarte, Alexis Saelemaekers, Franck Kessie, Leonardo Moleri.18:31

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Ciprian Tatarusanu; Davide Calabria, Simon Kjaer, Alessio Romagnoli (captain), Diego Dalot; Sandro Tonali, Ismael Bennacer; Samu Castillejo, Rade Krunic, Brahim Diaz; Zlatan Ibrahimovic.18:29

The two sides endured contrasting starts in Group H last week. Milan ran out 3-1 winners against Celtic, while Sparta were humbled 4-1 at home by Lille.18:27

Hello everyone and welcome to our live text coverage of the Europa League clash between AC Milan and Sparta Prague at San Siro.18:26

Dove si gioca la partita:

Stadio: Giuseppe Meazza
Città: Milano
Capienza: 80074 spettatori18:26