Pato celebrates his second

The opening exchanges of the match were dominated by Siena. The Bianconeri created plenty of trouble for Milan though they failed to get a clear shot on goal.

After five minutes and Milan slowly got into the game. Pato was presented with half chance on 6 minutes when the ball fell for the Brazilian just outside the box. However the shot deflected out for a corner.

Jankulovski then played a nice one two with Ronaldinho but Curci for Siena got down well to smother his attempt.

On 22 minutes, Pato won a free kick after leaving his marker for dead. The resulting free kick was whipped in by Ronaldinho and Pato was there to steer the ball past Curci. The goal was disallowed though as Pato had strayed in to an offside position.

A few minutes later Thiago played a long ball to Pato who did well to keep the ball in play. Pato then laid the ball off for Ronaldinho but the Brazilian’s volley went wide.

GOAL Milan did evenutally take the lead on 29 minutes. Leonardo’s attacking trident linked up well as Pato played it to Borriello who touched it off for Ronaldinho who then played a delightful through ball for Pato. The young Brazilian made no mistake slotting the ball past Curci. Siena 0 Milan 1

GOAL Milan’s lead was short lived however as Siena struck just minutes later. Following a brief spell of possession, Siena eventually found an equaliser. Jarolim’s shot was parried by Storari into the feet of Ghezzal who hit the ball home high into the net. Siena 1 Milan 1

Second half

GOAL Again it was Milan’s attacking trident that linked up for Milan’s second. Borriello headed the ball down to Pato. Pato touched it on to Ronaldinho who played a beautiful through ball to Flamini. The Frenchman squared the ball off to Pato for a simple tap in as the young Brazilian claimed his and Milan’s second goal. Siena 1 Milan 2

Maccarone had a great chance for Siena on 57 minutes as the ex-Middlesbrough striker was played through only to volley wide of goal.

Storari was having a good game, though Siena did fail to really test him. Marco did get down well though to save a volley from Jarolim on 60 minutes that was on target and headed for goal.

Ronaldinho was showing flashes of his best and on 68 minutes he almost put Milan up by two with a delightful overhead kick only for Curci to tip it over the bar.

Ronaldinho then had another chance on 75 minutes from a free kick. Taking over the responsibility from Pirlo, Ronaldinho whipped in the free kick but it took a slight deflection as it headed for a corner.

Generally the game was fairly even in the second half as both sides continued to pick out chances. Siena though, were unable to create any clear cut chances to score.

The last best chance of the game fell to Pato. Ronaldinho, again, picked out the Brazilian with a beautiful through ball and the young Brazilian perhaps should have done better as he put the ball into the side netting.

Unfortunately the game ended in rather acrimonious circumstances. The Siena players grew increasingly frustrated as Milan slowed tbhe play in order to run down the clock. Pato, who picked up a yellow card, was the centre of a tussle that broke out between the players when the final whistle was blown.

The tussle grew as the coaching staff and the players from the bench joined in what was an unfortunate way to end Milan’s winning start to the game.

All in all, a good start to the campaign for Milan. The game was definitely not one to remember, but for Milan the important thing was that all three points were collected. Ronaldinho, though he may not ever have that lighting pace again, does possess great vision. Indeed, it was Ronaldinho’s vision along with his sublime passing skills that created Milan’s best chances including both goals.

It is promising to see Pato, Ronaldinho and even Borriello linking up well. Borriello does need to make more of a nuisance of himself though and try and get in positions to score more often.

Thiago Silva and his partnership with Nesta also looks promising. The young Brazilian had very positive debut in Serie A.

So Leonardo’s Serie A debut ends with a win. Milan can now look toward their highly anticipated match with Inter next week.