Bournemouth will face AC Milan at the Vitality Stadium, marking a significant moment in the English club’s rapid ascent in European football. The match highlights the contrasting fortunes of two clubs with very different histories but an intriguing connection through Justin Kluivert, the Bournemouth winger and son of former Milan striker Patrick Kluivert.
Patrick Kluivert played for Milan during the 1997-98 season, a period he fondly remembers despite a relatively modest goal tally of nine in 33 appearances. The Dutch forward moved on to greater success at Barcelona, where he scored 122 goals in 257 games. His career highlight came even earlier, when, aged 18, he scored the winning goal for Ajax against Milan in the 1995 Champions League final. His son, 27-year-old Justin, acknowledges his father’s love for the Italian club and the passionate football culture in Italy. “If you do well, you are the king for [the fans],” Justin Kluivert said, contrasting the devotion Milan supporters show with the challenges players face if results turn sour.
Bournemouth’s rise from the lower tiers of English football to competing in Europe is underscored by their current campaign in the Europa League, where they have recorded victories against notable teams such as Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz. This progression is a stark transformation from 2008, when AC Milan played Portsmouth at Fratton Park and Bournemouth were languishing at the bottom of League Two with a negative points tally due to a punitive start to the season.
Kluivert, who joined Bournemouth in 2023, said the club’s ambition and recruiting strategy were major factors in his decision to sign. “They kept their word and the rest is for us to do,” he said. Kluivert has already made his mark by scoring Bournemouth’s first-ever goal in European competition and remains optimistic about the club’s potential, including the possibility of winning the Europa League and scoring in the final.
Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose highlighted an unusual historical link between the clubs: in 1971, under manager John Bond, Bournemouth adopted red and black kit stripes inspired by Milan, known for their European successes. While Milan boasts a prestigious record with seven European Cup and Champions League titles, Bournemouth’s emergence to face such elite opposition reflects their growth.
Milan, currently unbeaten in Serie A under the guidance of new coach Ruben Amorim, arrived with a strong squad featuring English players Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fikayo Tomori, and Omari Hutchinson, alongside veteran midfielder Luka Modric. Despite Milan’s stature, Bournemouth remain confident. Kluivert, who scored a hat-trick against Newcastle last year, said when asked about replicating such feats against Milan, “Let’s try it. Why not?”
The match exemplifies Bournemouth’s ambition to compete with Europe’s best clubs, fueled by experienced players and a growing belief that even the highest challenges can be met.