milan 2 Siena 0

Milan: Amelia; Bonera, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Taiwo; Seedorf (Aquilani 55'), Van Bommel, Nocerino; Boateng (Emanuelson 70'); Ibrahimovic, Robinho (Pato 66')

Siena: Brkic; Vitiello, Rossettini, Terzi, Del Grosso; Angelo, Bolzoni, Gazzi (Grossi 50'), Reginaldo (D'Agostino 56'); Brienza, Calaio

Bermain di San Siro, Minggu (19/12/2011) dinihari WIB, Rossoneri menguasai pertandingan dengan penguasaan bola sebesar 65%. Secara keseluruhan mereka juga melepaskan 16 tembakan yang lima di antaranya mengarah ke sasaran.

Meski demikian, tuan rumah baru bisa membuka keunggulan di babak kedua lewat Antonio Nocerino. Milan kemudian menggandakan keunggulan lewat eksekusi penalti Zlatan Ibrahimovic di menit ke-64.

Kemenangan ini mengantar Milan ke puncak klasemen menggeser Bianconeri dengan koleksi 31 poin. Sementara Siena tertahan di peringkat 17 dengan 14 poin.

Jalannya Pertandingan

Milan langsung bermain menekan sejak menit-menit awal. Menit ke-4 Antonio Nocerino melepaskan tendangan voli namun masih belum menemui sasaran.

Milan hampir membuka keunggulan di menit ke-20 lewat Kevin Prince Boateng yang menerima umpan terobosan dari Robinho. Sayang sepakan Boateng masih bisa diselamatkan Brkic dan hanya menghasilkan tendangan sudut bagi tuan rumah.

Tiga menit kemudian, Siena balik mengancam lewat serangan balik. Lolos dari jebakan offside, Bolzoni melepaskan sepakan yang masih menyamping tipis di sisi kiri gawang Amelia.

Upaya Seedorf untuk membobol gawang Siena di menit ke-39 juga belum membuahkan hasil. Tembakannya setelah menerima umpan dari Ibrahimovic masih mampu diselamatkan oleh Brkic.

Milan harus menunggu hingga menit ke-54 untuk membobol gawang Siena. Menerima umpan Seedorf, Nocerino melepaskan tembakan yang tak mampu dihalau oleh Brkic yang sudah bergerak ke arah yang salah.

Sepuluh menit berselang, Milan memperoleh hadiah penalti setelah Boateng dijatuhkan di kotak terlawang. Ibrahimovic yang maju sebagai algojo sukses menjalankan tugasnya dan mengubah skor menjadi 2-0.

Siena mencoba mengejar ketertinggalan lewat Del Grosso. Namun dua peluang yang diperolehnya di menit ke-68 dan 75 masih belum membuahkan hasil.

Hingga peluit panjang berbunyi, Milan mampu mempertahankan keunggulan dan memenangi pertandingan dengan skor 2-0.


ENGLISH
After a frustrating first half, the hosts finally made the breakthrough in the 54th minute through Antonio Nocerino.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic sealed the win with a controversial penalty in the 63rd minute, taking the Rossoneri a point clear of Juve and Udinese ahead of their matches on Sunday.

Siena's gameplan was quite clear - to frustrate Milan with a solid, organised defence and then hit them on the break.

For almost an hour of the game, it worked, and they even had the best chance to lead in the first half.

Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng both had good early chances for the Rossoneri, the former volleying over and the latter's shot saved on the stretch by Zeljko Brkic.

Francesco Bolzoni then almost put Siena in front in the 23rd minute when he nicked the ball past Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia, but the ball shaved the outside of the far post.

A goal from the former Inter Milan midfielder really would have added to the home side's frustration at not being able to make the breakthrough.

The tension was lifted nine minutes into the second half, though, when Nocerino fired Massimiliano Allegri's side ahead.

Clarence Seedorf's corner was laid back by Robinho to the former Palermo midfielder, who drilled a low shot past Brkic into the bottom corner.

It was Seedorf's last involvement in the game as he was then withdrawn, with Alberto Aquilani taking to the field.

Eight minutes later, Milan were gifted the chance to double their lead when Boateng went down theatrically in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

The Ghana international latched onto Robinho's through-ball and took a tumble over Brkic, who tried to move out of the Milan midfielder's way as he nudged the ball past him.

Ibrahimovic stepped up to score from the spot and condemn Siena to their fourth straight defeat, leaving them on the brink of the relegation zone.

Seria A 2009/2010: Siena 1- Milan 2

At the Stadio Artemio Franchi of Siena it finished Siena-Milan 1-2. After Pato's goal in the 29th minute and Ghezzal's in the 34th, Pato again scored his first brace of the season in the 48th minute and allowed Milan to win.
SIENA-MILAN: OFFICIAL FORMATIONS
SIENA: Curci; Rossettini, Ficagna, Brandao, Del Grosso; Jarolim, Vergassola, Codrea, Fini; Ghezzal, Maccarone.
MILAN: Storari; Zambrotta, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Flamini; Ronaldinho; Borriello, Pato.

Brazil striker Alexandre Pato scored twice after great work from Ronaldinho to give AC Milan a battling 2-1 win at Siena in their Serie A opener on Saturday.

The visitors, patchy in pre-season under new rookie coach Leonardo, went ahead on 29 minutes when Pato coolly slotted home after compatriot Ronaldinho's clever pass.

Abdelkader Ghezzal equalised for the hosts five minutes later when Milan's stand-in goalkeeper Marco Storari could only parry a shot into his path.

However, Milan quickly regained the initiative in the second half when another delightful Ronaldinho ball allowed Mathieu Flamini to give Pato an easy tap-in.

Fiorentina's Adrian Mutu shrugged off worries about his preparedness by coming off the bench to salvage a 1-1 draw at Bologna in the opening game of the Serie A season on Saturday.

The Romanian striker is still coming to terms with a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) verdict ordering him to pay former club Chelsea $24.5 million in damages after a positive test for cocaine while at the English side five years ago.

Mutu started as a substitute with coach Cesare Prandelli keen to limit the pressure on him but he rifled home the equaliser from just inside the area after 64 minutes having entered the fray at halftime.

Former Fiorentina forward Pablo Osvaldo had put the hosts in front midway through the first half when he headed in a corner from close range.

Fiorentina, who host Sporting in their Champions League playoff second leg on Wednesday with the score at 2-2, had chances to win but striker Alberto Gilardino was twice denied.

Serie A 2009/2010 : Siena- Milan Preview

Leonardo De Araujo makes his debut as first team coach, in the Italian Serie A. The Brazilian is one of the three debuting coaches in Serie A along with Atzori (Catania) and Russo (Livorno). If he plays, Gennaro Gattuso will make his 400th official appearence with Milan's shirt, having made his debut on 15 September 1999 in Chelsea-Milan 0-0 (Champions League). Gattuso has made 276 appearences in Serie A, 23 in the Coppa Italia, 2 in the Italian Supercup, 79 in the Champions League, 14 in the Uefa Cup, 2 in the European Supercup, and 3 in the Intercontinental Cup/Club World Cup. If he plays, Cristiano Del Grosso makes his 100th appearence in Serie A: his debut was on 28 August 2005, Ascoli-Milan 1-1.

Here is the list of players called up for Siena-Milan: Perucchini, Roma, Storari, Antonini, Favalli, Jankulovski, Nesta, Onyewu, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Abate, Ambrosini, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Borriello, Inzaghi, Pato, Ronaldinho.
Unavailable players: Dida, Abbiati, Bonera, Di Gennaro.
Players not called up: Kaladze, Oddo, Zigoni.
Suspended: Huntelaar.


Here are the main declarations of the Rossoneri's coach.

HUNTELAAR'S SUSPENSION
"We knew, there was the hope to remove it, but there was not possibility to field him. Unfortunately he cannot play, but we knew that.

THE FIRST MATCH AGAINST SIENA AND THE SEASON
"The first matchday arrives, now we are all at zero points and we start off on the same level. Tomorrow's game is one we can have to face fully concentrated. We must act like in the Berlusconi Trophy, playing with the same attention and concentration. It was an important month of work, I think that the team is ready.

"Starting out well is always fundamental, managing to give a fingerprint to our performance would important for ourselves. I don't think that it is decisive to win or lose, but I think that the team is able to start off well. We have reacted well to the difficulties and the proof was Milan-Juve at San Siro. We need to give a signal straight away to ourselves and to the others to prove what we are. We cannot say today what we are, it will be the games to say so, in the path of the season.

"Who can win the Scudetto? I will not make too many calculations, let's think about ourselves and to how we can improve. Starting from Bonera, Dida and Abbiati, apart from Di Gennaro, we have available everyone and this is very important. We know the commitments we have, I don't want to stay here to preach what we shall do and what we will not do. Milan can always start with the willl to win. Game after game, we shall understand what we can do. We start out knowing that we are Milan and that we have inside us this will to win. Then it will be the games to determine things. We play match after match and we'll see where we can arrive.

FORMATION AND INJURIES

"The formation doubts will always be there and if we will have the entire squad available, the doubts will always be welcome. Everyone is returning and this is what matters. The basis to the squad which goes on the pitch is that of the team who played in the Berlusconi Trophy.

"Borriello or Inzaghi? I see them well both, they are different players. The choice can be for their characteristics. I will keep the doubt until tomorrow, I want to understand also how Siena will play, we don't know exactly what to expect. They tried the 4-3-1-2, but they also have the possibility for the 4-3-3. We'll see.

"Kaladze had a series of injuries, he stopped, he is doing a new period of preparation. His week has been very good, he's close to be totally available. If this team will always have its potential available, it will be a good season. Oddo not called-up? With Massimo I have always spoken and I had done so also with Kalac. Right from the start I told him that I had some ideas and that if he had found a better place than the one of Milan today, we could have spoke about it. He has always worked hard in all of the moments of the preparation and this is very important. The transfer market is open. If he had to find a better place we'll see. De Silvestri? In the transfer market one thing is tied to another, we must see. We have to wait. We start off with this group and I think that it's a valid group. The idea is a player on the wing, but there are many impossible names. We'll see what is possible until August 31. The moment in general, on the transfer market, is of economic difficulty. We see the big clubs, but also the average and the small ones. It's a period like this."

A FIRST BALANCE
"We're coming from a tiring month, useful for some tests. Today I feel strong, more inside the squad, I confronted myself with a different role which I like more, I find in the players a continuous response which makes me go forward. All that we have suffered last year we paid for it even until today: the recovery of Nesta and Gatuzo, fundamental players, Borriello who was out for a year, Kaladze out for a long period, Bonera still out, Inzaghi, Seedorf and Ambro at times not available during the preparation... I did not expect a brilliant Milan for these reasons. What I see today is that this team has a unique sense of belonging, to Milan: everyone knows their importance and what it is to live the Rossoneri's world. This is the departure. The rest, tactics, form and so one, must be built.The solid base is a matter of pride and objectives and this exists and is increasing. It's this energy that makes the world go round, the rest is built day after day.

"How can you have trust in this Milan? During the preparation we did not prove our real value. Until Chelsea, in reality we had done very well, until the squad was full and complete. We were not in form but we had energies to use. From then onwards, Amrbo and Seedorf stopped, Borriello, Nesta and Gattuso felt the initial sprint. What this team is, is not the picture of the preparation. The week of work at Milanello was very positive and it was a proud response to start again. At our return from America I think that Milan improved a lot."

THE BENCH DEBUT

"If I'm excited for the bench debut? Sincerely my personal stories I now see them useless, I'm in the role of thinking about the others' emotions, not mine. This career is a surprise for me. I'm thinking about making a career, I'm responding to a call of a club to whom I'm completely tied and I try to do my best, with what is my experience. Honestly my personal stories and emotions fall a bit. I'm only worried about reching my objectives.

SILVIO BERLUSCONI AND RONALDINHO

"My rapport with Berlusconi is very good. When he talks about swage cuts and so on, he speaks like a football director, more than as Milan president. He talks about a football idea which needs to be re-thought. His words are tied to ties, for a more sustainable football in the future.

"Berlusconi is in love with Ronaldinho, he knows that he has a pearl at home which needs to be used at its best. I have known Ronaldinho since always, I know his story, I play for years with his brother, I'm Brazilian. His training session today was beautiful to see. He must do what he did today always. I will do everything to make him and the entire team give their best. I want to get from him, and from those who can, the best. He's improving, he's returning, either now or never, his moment for Milan and the national team is now, in all sense, also for the prearation he has made.

THE BRAZILIANS, THE NATIONAL TEAM AND THE ROSSONERI'S TACTICS

"Pato is an incredible talent who must affirm himself in the national teal. Thiago is paying for those six months he did with us without playing. I think that both, just like Ronaldino, will soon return in Brazil. Egoistically we have them here for ourselves, it's a positive thing. Ronaldinho today is playing as a forward. We play with 4-3-1-2 with Ronaldinho as forward and he must be decisive in attack. We play like we have always played. I Pato can become top-scorer. He has enormous possibilities, he has grown, he has become more man also in his physique. He has speed, he is spontaneous in his movements, easily arrives, but he needs to find continuity. He has scored 15 goals last year, but he has head of him still many things to do."

LIPPI-MOURINHO

"The row between Mourinho-Lippi? I'm out of it, in order not to add other opinions. It's not that I don't want to sway one side or the other, it's that I have other things in my mind. What I can say is that I'm happy about the good luck tha Mourinho gave me in Boston and the charge that Lippi gave me at the Berlusconi trophy. We met and he was very nice with me."

8/22 17:00 UK Bologna VS Fiorentina
8/22 19:45 UK Siena VS AC Milan
8/23 17:00 UK Internazionale VS Bari
8/23 19:45 UK Livorno VS Cagliari
8/23 19:45 UK Genoa VS AS Roma
8/23 19:45 UK Lazio VS Atalanta
8/23 19:45 UK Catania VS Sampdoria
8/23 19:45 UK Palermo VS Napoli
8/23 19:45 UK Juventus VS Chievo Verona
8/23 19:45 UK Udinese VS Parma