Milan 1 Genoa 0, Bravo Ibra!!

MILAN: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Boateng; Robinho, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho.
GENOA: Eduardo; Chico, Dainelli, Ranocchia, Criscito; Rafinha, Kharja, Veloso; Palacio, Toni, Mesto.

AC Milan closed the gap on Serie A leaders Inter as they edged out Genoa with a 1-0 victory at the San Siro.

The visitors initially had a much clearer game plan and were even denied by the woodwork in what proved to be a rather eventless opening period.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic put Milan ahead with a trademark goal shortly after the break as he shrugged off two defenders to stab a shot over Eduardo with an outstretched leg.

The hosts were much more comfortable from then on and missed a number of chances to put the game beyond doubt, although they still held out to celebrate a much needed win, which allows them to cut the gap at the top to two points ahead of Inter’s clash with Roma.

Milan’s first real scoring chance fell to Robinho on 18 minutes when he was served on the counter-attack by fellow countryman Ronaldinho. The former Manchester City forward struck a low drive towards the far post, but it did little to trouble Eduardo inside the Genoa goal.

Genoa looked threatening going forward and the home rearguard had much to think about as they looked to contain Luca Toni’s strength and Giandomenico Mesto’s movement.

Gennaro Gattuso made a great run off the ball on 26 minutes and forced a great save from Eduardo as he latched onto Ronaldinho’s neat pass to fire on target from close range. The move underlined Milan’s ability to threaten but also the distinct lack in runs from the forwards.

Rodrigo Palacio gave them a scare on the stroke of half-time as his cross towards the back post struck the woodwork following Abbiati’s soft punch.

The deadlock was finally broken on 49 minutes when Ibrahimovic knocked the ball over the ‘keeper with an outstretched leg. Despite being hounded by two defenders, the hitman showed great strength as he gave Milan the lead with a trademark goal.

The Rossoneri were far more creative in the second period and Ronaldinho almost doubled their lead as he attempted a floated chip from 18 yards on the hour mark.

With the clock ticking down, Genoa made good in-roads down the flanks but were far less threatening in front of goal as they failed to get threatening crosses into the box.

Robinho almost slotted home a second late on following a wonderful exchange with Clarence Seedorf down the left. Despite the goal-line clearance from Criscito, it was a fine move by the Samba star who finally showed what he can bring to the side when at full fitness.

With few ideas in the closing stages there was no way back for Genoa. Milan celebrated their second league win of the season to momentarily reduce Inter’s lead at the top to two points.

Although it may not have been a resounding victory for his side, coach Allegri will have been delighted to return to winning ways and given the form of Ibrahimovic there is much to fill the Rossoneri with confidence as they continue to search for a balance between attack and defence.
Milan vs genoa video highlight
bravo ibra !!

lazio 1 milan 1, ibra score

Sergio Floccari's equaliser prevented AC Milan from returning to winning ways tonight as Lazio earned a deserved point at the Stadio Olimpico.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had given the Rossoneri a 1-0 lead in the 66th minute only for Lazio to hit back with nine minutes remaining.

Milan were unlucky not to claim all three points after Gianluca Zambrotta's strike rattled the crossbar two minutes from time.

The result marked Milan's second straight draw and their third game without a win under new boss Massimiliano Allegri.

Ibrahimovic should have given the visitors a seventh-minute lead but the Swede failed to beat Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera in a one-on-one.

Shortly afterwards, Ibrahimovic got behind Andrea Pirlo's free-kick and beat his marker before firing a right-footed strike that Muslera turned away for a corner.

On the half-hour mark, Lazio had their first chance.

Floccari fed Hernanes on the edge of the area and he fired just wide of the far post.

Lazio should have taken the lead before the break but Stefano Mauri's 15-yard strike was met by a fine save by Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.

Shortly after the restart, Floccari's attempt from outside the area was kept out by Abbiati

On the hour, Abbiati cleared Hernanes' 14-yard shot with his knee as Milan's defence looked to be under constant threat.

But it was Milan that took a surprise lead after the hour mark.

A defensive distraction from Lazio saw Ibrahimovic connect with Clarence Seedorf's pass and he struck the ball past Muslera to put his team in front.

Lazio coach Edoardo Reja brought in attacking duo Tommaso Rocchi and Mauro Zarate.

But it was Floccari that came to the rescue for the home side.

Hernanes' cross found Floccari at the heart of the area and his left-footed strike towards the top left corner beat Abbiati.

Lazio still could have claimed victory had Abbiati not made a great save to deny Hernanes from close range with one minute to go.

Milan 1 Catania 1

MILAN: Abbiati, Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Boateng, Pirlo, Seedorf; Ronaldinho, Inzaghi, Ibrahimovic.
CATANIA: Andujar; Potenza, Silvestre, Spolli, Capuano; Carboni; Mascara, Izco, Biagianti, Ricchiuti; Lopez.

Milan failed to keep their 100 percent record at San Siro after being held by a determined Catania outfit during Saturday evening's posticipo.

The Rossoneri started brightly but were stunned on 27 minutes when Ciro Capuano made the most of a poor clearance to rifle home a volleyed finish from long range. Filippo Inzaghi levelled proceedings on the stroke of half time as he stabbed home in the six yard box in trademark fashion.

Milan threw everything at the visitors after the break but they lacked the luck in the final third needed to find the winning goal.

Both sides were forced to settle for a draw which moves them up to four points apiece in the standings. Despite an improved all round performance, the Diavolo left the field discontent after failing to win at San Siro for the first time this term.

A slow start to the encounter favoured Milan who took an early hold of possession looking to work from the back. Inzaghi was served with a golden chance on 13 minutes, but the usually razor sharp hitman snuffed his effort just yards from goal.

The Rossoneri looked far more convincing than their midweek showing in the Champions League and Massimiliano Allegri’s men dictated proceedings as they worked the ball around rapidly in attack.

Capuano stunned the home crowd on 26 minutes when he buried a shot into the back of the net from 25 yards. The Diavolo were stunned but there was little Christian Abbiati could do to block a stunning effort. The goal put the wind in Catania’s sails and Marco Giampaolo’s outfit were a different side, boosted by the lead.

Milan got themselves back into the game, however, on the stroke of half time when Inzaghi stabbed home following a rifled assist from Ronaldinho. The goal had been coming for the Rossoneri and they merited the equaliser for their insistent approach.


The Diavolo came out firing after the break and were unlucky not to take the lead when Mariano Andujar beat away Clarance Seedorf’s well taken strike.

Milan continued to get men forward in numbers but Catania were well organised at the back and made life difficult as they paid extra attention to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Giuseppe Mascara attempted a speculative drive on 65 minutes, but the Elefanti marksman could not find the bottom corner as Abbiati read the effort attentively.

Despite a late push the Rossoneri were unable to find the match-winning goal. Allegri’s men left the field with a point and the coach was left happy with the improved performance despite failure to secure victory.

The result leaves Milan two points off leaders Chievo after having played a game more than the Gialloblu. After holding the Rossoneri in the same fixture last year, Catania returned from the San Siro with another point, a feat which the Elefanti had never completed twice in a row before this evening.

Milan vs Catania Preview

Milan vs Catania Preview
Probable Line-Ups:

AC Milan (4-4-3) – Massimiliano Allegri
Christian Abbiati; Daniele Bonera, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, Luca Antonini; Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf; Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho.

Calcio Catania (4-3-1-2) – Marco Giampaolo
Mariano Andujar; Ciro Capuano, Nicolás Spolli, Matías Silvestre, Alessandro Potenza; Marco Biagianti, Ezequiel Carboni, Mariano Izco; Adrian Ricchiuti; Giuseppe Mascara; Maxi López.

The Rossoneri will be trying to stay on the right track and win this match. Once again, less than three points would be surprising and disappointing.

The Rossazzurri have a lot to give, as with players like Maxi Lopez, they would be able to surprise the “Milanticos” tomorrow night.

The last time Milan faced Catania it was 11/4/2010. Maxi López scored first (12′) for Catania and Adrian Ricchiuti doubled it (43′). In the second half, Milan bounced back with Marco Borriello’s brace (48′, 80′).

Milan have played only three official matches this season and already from the beginning, you could see the same old problems in defense and midfield.

Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva played only once together, but for Catania match, they are expected to play, with Gianluca Zambrotta or Daniele Bonera as right-back and Luca Antonini on the left.

With Massimo Ambrosini out injured, Kevin-Prince Boateng will take his place in midfield. The Ghanaian played a very good match in the midweek Champions League match against Auxerre, and he will start along with Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf, as Mathieu Flamini is still injured.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still not at his best but he’s already got off the mark with a brace against the French side on Wednesday, as Ronaldinho was the main player in the set-up of the goals. Alexandre Pato is out for three weeks and Robinho will replace him in 4-3-3.

Milan were not brilliant, but still effective against Auxerre. They remain Scudetto contenders despite last week’s 2-0 defeat to A.C. Cesena, and they will try to leapfrog Inter, who are one point ahead.

Star Man: Ibrahimovic is a great striker, but still, Ronaldinho is Milan’s star man for this match. When the Brazilian is good, the players around him are good. Ronie must try to play like he did against Lecce, and if he does that, victory is almost guaranteed.

Injury List: Ambrosini, Flamini and Pato are out. Sokratis Papastathopoulos is doubtful.

Catania have not yet reached the full potential, as this is only the start of the season. Coming off as clear underdogs, the Rossazzurri will still be playing for all the three points and will definitely not only defend.

Marco Giampaolo’s side beat Parma 2-1 last week, but it took two penalties, which were scored by Mirko Antenucci and Giuseppe Mascara. Giampaolo knows his men must improve.

“We suffered out there today,” Giampaolo declared after Parma match. “I am aware we need to improve in all areas. Our physical condition is still not what it should be and the sharpness is still yet to arrive. Nevertheless, the three points are very precious because they bring moral to the group. I am happy for the boys, but I don’t want to settle for this as we still need to step up a level.”

Catania are South America, as they have 11 players from Argentina and one from Brazil. They have always caused problems for Milan, as last season they were in 2-0 lead before Marco Borriello scored a brace.

Star Man: Maxi Lopez is still out of form. The Argentine was the hero of last season when he arrived in January and scored 11 goals in 17 matches. Despite not scoring yet this year, Lopez is Catania’s most important man. He’s expected to start alongside Giuseppe Mascara and Adrian Ricchiuti.

Injury List: Fabio Sciacca, Cristian Llama and Blazej Augustin are unavailable.

Champions League : milan 2 auxerre 0

MILAN: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Nesta, Bonera, Antonini; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf; Pato, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho

AUXERRE: Sorin; Hengbart, Coulibaly, Mignot, Grichting; Pedretti, Ndinga; Oliech, Langil, Birsa; Jelen

After a goalless first half, Milan beat Auxerre 2-0 thanks to a brace from Ibrahimovic (66' and 69').

Milan’s miserable six-game run of home European games without a win was ended thanks to the influence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who lead the Rossoneri to a 2-0 Champions League success over Auxerre at the San Siro.

With Massimiliano Allegri’s side toiling to create chances, an angled Ronaldinho centre was knocked on by substitute Kevin-Prince Boateng, with Ibrahimovic getting the decisive touch just in front of AJA goalkeeper Olivier Sorin.

Suddenly the pressure was lifted on the Italians, and as their opponents advanced a Ronaldinho surge from the midfield resulted in a pass that further exposed the French defence. Ibrahimovic wasn’t about to pass up the chance, side-footing a neat finish into the corner of the net from 18 yards to score his second goal in three minutes, killing the game off.

This would not be an entirely comfortable evening for the Milanese side, who were poor until they opened the scoring.

Adama Coulibaly came closest for the guests with 22 minutes on the clock, towering above Alessandro Nesta to head against the junction of post and bar from a corner kick.

This was by no means the only chance the Burgundy club had to open the scoring. Just before the interval a Milan corner broke down and as their veteran players lumbered back, the sprightly Burgundy club shot forward only for Steeven Langil to shoot from an impossible angle when two team-mates were waiting in the centre for a simple tap-in.


The Rossoneri had made a woeful start to the game from a defensive point of view, looking incredibly sloppy in the opening minutes. Valter Birsa and Langil were both given sights of goal, though Christian Abbiati wasn’t called into serious action on either occasion.

After these early wobbles, the hosts did get the expect grip on the ball but rarely penetrated. A free kick from Andrea Pirlo was punched away by Olivier Sorin on 22 minutes, while a flurry in the visiting box saw Alexandre Pato have a shot deflected over the top.

Milan perked up following the half-time interval. Pirlo had an effort from distance flash just wide before Luca Antonini’s low, hard cross had no takers moments later.

Only late on, after Ibrahimovic’s double, did Auxerre fight back. A late Dennis Oliech shot drew a save from Abbiati, but the guests couldn’t find even a consolation.

Twelve months ago, the Rossoneri were busy losing 1-0 to Zurich, so although this was by no means an impressive performance, it was a drastic improvement on that nightmarish evening.

Champions League Preview : Milan vs Auxerre

UEFA Champions League 2010/11 Fixtures/Results

AC Milan v AJ Auxerre Group G Giuseppe Meazza

Massimiliano Allegri named the following 19 players for Milan’s Champions League match against Auxerre:
Abbiati, Amelia, Roma, Antonini, Bonera, Nesta, Zambrotta, Yepes, Abate, Ambrosini, Boateng, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Ibrahimovic, Inzaghi, Pato, Robinho, Ronaldinho.

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri is looking forward to making his Champions League coaching debut in tomorrow night's Group G opener against Auxerre.

Allegri, who replaced Leonardo at the helm of the Rossoneri this summer, has had a shaky start in his new role after falling to newly-promoted Cesena 2-0 on Saturday.

But the 43-year-old is fully concentrated on his first game in Europe's premier club competition.

"It will be very emotional for me,'' said Allegri. "This is my first time.

"The draw has placed us in a group with top European clubs and it will be a challenge from the start.''

Milan, who will also face Real Madrid and Ajax in their pool, lost to Manchester United in the last 16 of last season's competition.

Allegri will hope his side's European prospects will be boosted by recent signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although the Swedish striker had a poor debut on Saturday when he missed a penalty in the defeat at Cesena.

But Allegri has tried to use the defeat as a tool to motivate his players.

"I think this loss is a good lesson for the team because games have to be won with sacrifice,'' said Allegri. "If we don't play as a team, it will be difficult to win anything this campaign.

"Now we must react and look ahead with optimism.''

The Italians will be without Thiago Silva, who is sidelined with a right thigh problem.

The good news for Allegri is that defender Alessandro Nesta and fellow veteran Clarence Seedorf, who missed the game at Cesena, have recovered from injuries and will start on Wednesday.

Rivals Auxerre have travelled to Italy also desperate to find their form.

The French side have yet to win after five games of their domestic campaign.

They gave away a late goal against Caen on Saturday and drew for the fourth time this season.

"Football is cruel,'' said Auxerre coach Jean Fernandez.

"To have claimed four points so far it gives cause for concern for some but I am not worried.

"I know I have a group of quality players and that the team will get better.''