Eighteen years ago, Bournemouth were minutes away from being liquidated and playing in the fourth tier. On Thursday night, Bournemouth not only welcomed AC Milan in Europe; they did so as favourites, and then pummelled them.
When Amine Adli curled in an 84-minute free-kick with his left foot at the Vitality Stadium, it put the seal on the most extraordinary evening in Bournemouth's history. On a brutally windy and wet night, Bournemouth trounced AC Milan 3-0.
Milan could not even point to being down to 10 men for the last hour as mitigation; long before, Bournemouth had treated the Rossoneri with contempt. When Ruben Amorim's side trudged off, soaked and silenced, they had not mustered a single shot on target.
Few nights have better encapsulated the Premier League's power. Bournemouth have never finished higher than last season's sixth in the top flight of English football; AC Milan have won seven European Cups. But the Premier League's financial clout is such that, each season, the bottom club earns more than the champions of Serie A.
The Premier League's shared riches, allied to years of astute recruitment and management, have underpinned the Bournemouth's ascent. Even Andoni Iraola's departure has not stalled the progress at the Vitality Stadium; Marco Rose has relished the new European adventure.
Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz had already been toppled in Bournemouth's first two European games. Now, Bournemouth have won their first three matches in Europe. Despite middling Premier League form, Rose's ambitions will extend far beyond securing a berth in the knockout stages of the Europa League. On this evidence, Bournemouth are legitimate contenders to win the competition, and earn a berth in next season's Champions League.
"It's a special night for the club," Ryan Christie, Bournemouth captain, said. "It's mega – in terms of the story of the club, it's ridiculous."
Evanilson, perhaps, was Bournemouth's standout player against AC Milan, combining intricate linkup play with a constant threat in front of goal. Centre-back Antonio Silva, controlling play from deep while marauding forward, also possessed a calmness that any of Milan's beleaguered team lacked.
His side's fate swiftly sealed, Amorim did not bother to summon Luka Modric or Christian Pulisic. Bournemouth's own bench showed the depth that the club now possesses. Rayan showed off his trickery and directness; Adli – a substitute for substitute Alex Toth, who suffered a hamstring injury – then ensured that Bournemouth secured the margin of victory that their dominance deserved.
Thirty-one years ago, Patrick Kluivert scored against AC Milan in Europe. If his son Justin's eighth-minute penalty will not receive the acclaim of Patrick's winner for Ajax in the 1995 Champions League final, the goal will be etched in Bournemouth's hearts.
After Evanilson's header from a corner struck Koni De Winter's hand, a VAR review led to Bournemouth being awarded a penalty. Kluivert eyed up Mike Maignan, and waited for the goalkeeper to dive before nonchalantly stroking the ball into the unguarded left corner.
And so Bournemouth were beating AC Milan, a scenario that would have seemed unfathomable for vast swathes of these two clubs' existence. Even more extraordinary was how deserved the goal was: both Kluivert and Evanilson had already spurned opportunities, with Milan seeming overwhelmed by Bournemouth's intensity.
Watching his side lack any coherence in their passing, Ruben Amorim rapidly came to look as ghoulish as in his last days at Old Trafford. Or, indeed, Michael Carrick in Como 24 hours earlier.
Amorim swiftly had cause to become more irate. Just as Milan had threatened to regain a semblance of control, Maignan inexplicably pushed Tyler Adams in the face when Bournemouth had a corner. VAR had no reason to give Maignan a reprieve from his red card, and Bournemouth's ensuing penalty.
Kluivert has scored all eight penalties in his professional career. But Lorenzo Torriani, the substitute goalkeeper, instead had to face Marcus Tavernier, who rolled the ball to the keeper's right corner. Bournemouth were 2-0 and a man up within 32 minutes; AC Milan were collapsing like the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1929.
By the last throes of this mismatch, fans gleefully sang "We want four". They were denied, but no matter: for Bournemouth fans, this was a magnificently surreal evening on the south coast.
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10:01pm
It's also all over in Turkey, with Besiktas and Palace playing out an entertaining draw. Goals at the start of the second half from Pino and Mateta put Palace 2-1 ahead, before Olaitan found an equaliser for Besiktas. The hosts were reduced to 10 men late on, but Sage's side couldn't find a third goal.
09:56pm
A historic evening for Bournemouth ends in a dominant 3-0 victory over 10-man Milan. First-half penalties from Kluivert and Tavernier, combined with Maignan's foolish red card, left Milan with an impossible mountain to climb. Adli's magical free kick added some serious gloss to the scoreline late on. The seven-time European champions didn't record a shot on target as Amorim endured an unhappy return to England. Bournemouth have taken maximum points from their opening three Europa League games and continue their 100% winning record in the competition.
09:54pm
There will be three minutes of added time to finish off this game. Milan look like they can't wait for this nightmare to end, while Bournemouth are brimming with confidence.
09:51pm
Rayan takes down Truffert's cross-field ball with an excellent touch and surges into the penalty area away from Bartesaghi. Running in one-on-one at goal, the Brazilian's close-range effort is tipped away by Torriani.
09:46pm
That's a glorious finish from the substitute. Adli bends a scintillating free kick through a gap in Milan's wall and into the top corner. The home crowd rise to a exquisite goal and that caps a terrific evening for Bournemouth.
09:44pm
In the next sequence of play, De Winter is booked for unceremoniously bumping into Gannon-Doak, who has caused Milan's defence various problems all evening with his blistering pace and trickery.
09:43pm
Besiktas are reduced to 10 men as Akdag lunges in with a wild challenge on Strand Larsen, forcing the referee to pull out a second yellow and then a red card. Strand Larsen is on the deck and looks to be in considerable pain. Can Palace win this now with a numerical advantage?
09:39pm
Bournemouth are forced into a change as Toth departs with an injury and is replaced by Adli.
09:36pm
The hosts are level as Olaitan squeezes between two weak challenges from Kamada and Osorio, before firing a low strike into the bottom corner to haul Besiktas back into the contest.
09:33pm
It's champagne football from Bournemouth, with just the finishing lacking as Rodriguez's exquisite flick tees up Gannon-Doak, who crosses to Toth. The substitute miscues his close-range effort and slices it wide.
09:30pm
Gannon-Doak floats a cross towards the back post and Rayan leaps incredibly high to reach it, but heads over. That would have been a fantastic goal.
Following his earlier yellow card, Tomori is withdrawn for Diawara.
09:28pm
Bournemouth make another change as Rodriguez replaces Evanilson, who has led the line tremendously all evening.
09:26pm
Tomori is penalised for hauling down Evanilson after taking a poor touch. Gannon-Doak then plays in Cook, who is through on goal. The referee doesn't use the advantage and pulls play back to give Tomori a yellow card. The crowd and the Bournemouth players are furious. Milan are also complaining as they feel Tomori's tackle was fair. Nobody is satisfied with that sequence of play.
09:24pm
Rose orders a triple change for Bournemouth as Cook, Ryan and Toth replace Adams, Tavernier and Kluivert.
09:20pm
Bournemouth are cruising: not just beating AC Milan, but wanting to ensure that they don't extend themselves too much in doing so.
09:19pm
Kluivert and Tavernier play a slick one-two from a corner, allowing the Dutchman to whip a dangerous effort aimed for the far corner, but it just evades the post.
09:18pm
Mateta latches onto a loose back pass and holds off his marker, before slamming a fierce effort into the roof of the net to turn things around for Palace.
09:14pm
Following a lengthy VAR review, Palace are level. Pino does excellently to connect with Khalaili's driven cross, sliding a clinical effort into the net. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but following a VAR intervention, the equaliser is given and Palace are back on terms.
09:11pm
Gannon-Doak has been so lively this evening and tries to find Evanilson with a low cross, but his delivery is pivotally intercepted by De Winter.
09:07pm
We are back under way for the second half. Amorim has made two half-time alterations, with Bartesaghi and Rabiot replacing Estupinan and Loftus-Cheek, while Bournemouth are unchanged.
Besiktas and Crystal Palace are also back for the second half.
08:54pm
Despite being the better side, Palace find themselves one goal down in Turkey, with Ndidi netting a well-taken opener just before the half-time whistle.
08:52pm
Bournemouth lead 10-man Milan by two goals at the break following a crazy first half. The hosts have netted two penalties through Kluivert and Tavernier, while the visitors are now at a numerical disadvantage following Maignan's red card. Amorim waited on the touchline to have a word with the referee, but his complaints fall on deaf ears. Barring a second-half miracle for Milan, Bournemouth could be set for their third straight European win.
Mike Maignan was sent off for pushing Tyler Adams in the face - PA/Andrew Matthews
Ruben Amorim was furious with the decision that led to the Mike Maignan's dismissal - Getty Images Europe/Michael Steele
08:50pm
In added time at the end of the first half, Besiktas strike first. Ozcan floats a perfectly weighted through ball over to Ndidi, who makes a great run. The former Leicester City man takes the ball in his stride, before sliding a composed effort into the far bottom corner. Sage's side have conceded at a disastrous point and have work to do.
08:46pm
There will be five minutes of added time to end this first half. Could Bournemouth add a third goal before the break?
08:45pm
Tavernier tries to bend an ambitious free kick into the top corner, but it narrowly evades the post. Milan must be desperate for the half-time whistle.
08:44pm
Gannon-Doak glides away from Estupinan, who can't touch the winger after picking up an earlier booking, but his cross can't quite find Evanilson. Loftus-Cheek then bumps into Gannon-Doak to gift Bournemouth a free kick in a dangerous position.
08:40pm
Milan have simply not been at the races today, and Bournemouth have dominated them with their aggression and energy.
08:37pm
A simply ridiculous passage of play.
A moment of madness from Mike Maignan. No idea what he was thinking there. AC Milan in disarray. Ruben Amorin looks as miserable as Michael Carrick did yesterday.
08:34pm
Bournemouth lead 10-man Milan by two goals! The hosts change penalty taker as Tavernier steps up. The Englishman relishes the responsibility, sending Torriani the wrong way to whip the penalty into the bottom corner with unerring composure.
08:31pm
Penalty confirmed. Amid a period of confusion, Maignan was looking over to the referee in hope that VAR would overturn the red card. The referee tells him to leave the field. As the ball was in play when the offence was committed, Bournemouth have the penalty. Second-choice goalkeeper Torriani is on to replace Maignan, with Hutchinson sacrificed.
08:29pm
Bournemouth go to take a corner and Maignan pushes Adams in the face. The referee rushes over and immediately brandishes the red card. VAR confirms the referee's onfield decision and Maignan is off. There could be a possible penalty for Bournemouth if the whistle was blown before the corner was taken.
08:28pm
Still, Bournemouth have AC Milan penned inside their own half as Christie attempts to dance his way into the penalty area. The ball deflects out to Hill, who zips a bouncing effort off the wet surface aimed for the bottom corner, which Maignan pushes away.
08:23pm
Once again, Evanilson's incredible energy and high press wins possession for Bournemouth, before the forward fires an effort straight at Maignan.
08:20pm
It's all Bournemouth in these early exchanges as Kluivert finds Evanilson with a piercing pass. Before the striker can dig out a shot he's surrounded by the Milan defence. Bournemouth then almost instantly win the ball back. They look so aggressive and hungry both in and out of possession.
08:17pm
Christie has a low drive gathered by Maignan, following Evanilson's high pressing and Tavernier's clever footwork, before Diakite is booked for a late foul to earn the game's first yellow card.
08:15pm
Meanwhile, in Turkey, Palace thought they had opened the scoring after five minutes through Mateta's finish, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
08:12pm
Pinch yourselves, Bournemouth fans. You're a goal ahead against Milan and deservedly so.
Bournemouth aren't only beating AC Milan; they are bossing AC Milan. Justin Kluivert had a chance in the fourth minute even before he tucked away his penalty in the eighth.
08:10pm
Easy as you like. Kluivert sends Maignan the wrong way, and rolls the penalty into the bottom right corner in style to send the home support wild.
08:09pm
The referee points to the spot and Bournemouth could potentially be in dreamland.
08:06pm
VAR are checking for a Bournemouth penalty! Milan fail to clear a corner as Tavernier recycles the ball and swings in a cross towards Evanilson, who heads wide. The ball strikes De Winter's hand, which looks to be in an unnatural position. The referee has been sent to the monitor and the visitors could be in trouble.
08:06pm
Bournemouth win the ball high up the pitch with their press as Evanilson flashes a cross towards Kluivert, who can't get a clean connection on it. The delivery reaches Gannon-Doak at the back post, but his attempt is blocked.
08:04pm
No chances yet as we wait for the game to settle down and find a rhythm. The noise from both sets of supporters is brilliant.
08:01pm
The visitors get us under way at the Vitality Stadium. Besiktas against Palace will commence imminently as well.
07:57pm
Bournemouth and Milan are on the pitch. The rain is pouring down in Dorset. What an incredible occasion for the hosts. The home fans have unveiled a huge banner reading 'How did we end up here.'
It would long have seemed unfathomable that Bournemouth would face AC Milan in Europe; even more that they would do so as the bookmakers' favourites. That is a reflection of the Cherries' remarkable journey, and the Premier League's sheer financial clout. Each season, the bottom club in the Premier League earns more than the champions of Serie A.
07:49pm
Sunderland's 100% winning record in this season's Europa League came to an end as a second-half equaliser from Lech Poznan cancelled out Timur Tutierov's early opener, with the match ending 1-1.
Free-scoring Brighton & Hove Albion played out a goalless stalemate against Jablonec in Czech Republic on Fabian Hurzeler's 100th match in charge of the club.
07:44pm
Visiting players warm up with kick-off fast approaching - Shutterstock Editorial/David Cliff
Can Ruben Loftus-Cheek (centre) make the difference for AC Milan this evening? - Shutterstock Editorial/David Cliff
07:28pm
AC Milan fans storm the Vitality Stadium - PA/Andrew Matthews
07:24pm
Palace have conceded 17 goals in the Premier League this season, the highest of any side in the division, and also lost their previous Europa tie to Lyon, shipping another three goals. It's safe to say that Pierre Sage's start to life as Palace boss has been rocky and the Frenchman is in desperate need of a win following that match against Brighton.
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Evanilson has scored in each of the club's three previous outings across all competitions against Chelsea, Sturm Graz and Sunderland. At times, he can certainly lack a cutting edge, but at the moment, he's firing on all cylinders and is crucial to Marco Rose's attack.
07:07pm
Luka Modric starts on the bench this evening - Getty Images Europe/Michael Steele
Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek inspect the pitch - Getty Images Europe/Michael Steele
07:01pm
Besiktas:Nubel, Bulut, Djalo, Akdag, Ouattara, Ndidi, Trossard, Miretti, Kartal Yilmaz, Fakili, Oh.
Subs: Alemdar, Salih Ozcan, Agbadou, Olaitan, Poku, Cerny, Vlahovic, Ridvan Yilmaz, Topcu, Yasin Ozcan, Murillo, Kilicsoy.
Crystal Palace: Benitez, Richards, Disasi, Canvot, Khalaili, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, McNeil, Pino, Mateta.
Subs: Matthews, Benetton, Sarr, Nketiah, Hughes, Ahanor, Larsen, Osorio, Mingueza, Chilwell, Benamar, King.
Referee:Danny Makkelie.
06:59pm
Bournemouth: Di Gregorio, Diakite, Hill, Silva, Truffert, Tavernier, Christie, Adams, Doak, Evanilson, Kluivert.
Subs: Petrovic, Allan, Cook, Soler, Brooks, Smith, Adli, Toth, Rodriguez, Rayan.
AC Milan:Maignan, Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic, Hutchinson, Musah, Jashari, Estupinan, Loftus-Cheek, Moreira, Cisse.
Subs: Bouyer, Torriani, Pulisic, Rabiot, Diawara, Modric, Comotto, Bartesaghi, Gila, Vladimirov, Camarda.
Referee:Vassilis Fotias.
06:54pm
Alphadjo Cisse, who scored a hat-trick in the win over Salzburg, starts up top on his 20th birthday. Former Premier League trio Fikayo Tomori, Omari Hutchinson and Ruben Loftus-Cheek start, while Luka Modric and Christian Pulisic are both benched.
06:47pm
Marco Rose has made four changes to the side that beat Sunderland on Sunday. Michele Di Gregorio, Bafode Diakite, Ben Gannon-Doak and Justin Kluivert replace Djordje Petrovic, Adam Smith, Lewis Cook and Rayan, who are all on the bench.
06:46pm
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of this Europa League tie between Bournemouth and AC Milan at the Vitality Stadium.
Back in 2008, Bournemouth's prospect of a European meeting with Milan seemed impossible. After entering administration with crippling debts of around £4m, Bournemouth were handed a 10-point deduction and relegated from League One. To make matters worse, a hefty 17-point deduction was given to the club ahead of the 2008-09 League Two season, with relegation to non-league seeming inevitable. However, midway through the campaign, the transformative Eddie Howe was parachuted in as Bournemouth's saviour, eventually guiding the club to safety.
Fast forward to October 2026 in an extraordinary rise and Bournemouth are competing in their first-ever European campaign in the club's 127-year existence. They welcome Milan to Dorset, having earned back-to-back victories over Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz to kick off their inaugural Europa League adventure in style.
Now, they host the second most successful side in the European Cup history. In terms of heritage and silverware, these clubs could not be further apart, but on the pitch, it's incredibly tough to call.
On Sunday, Marco Rose's Bournemouth picked up their first Premier League win of the season, beating 10-man Sunderland 2-0 at the Vitality thanks to goals from Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson to move out of the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim is in charge at Milan and returns to England after a tumultuous 14-month reign at Manchester United, where he was sacked in January. Milan lost their opening Europa League fixture 2-0 at home to Benfica, before battering Salzburg 4-0 in Austria, with Alphadjo Cisse netting a stunning hat-trick.
Crystal Palace are also in the Europa League tonight and face an incredibly daunting away trip to Turkish side Besiktas. Pressure is firmly on manager Pierre Sage following the 5-0 humiliation against Brighton last weekend and a shaky start to the season. Palace lost 3-2 to Sage's former employers Lyon in their previous Europa League outing, with a positive performance and result needed to restore the fans' faith.
Both games kick-off at 20:00, with team news coming imminently.
