A night to forget for Gattuso and Milan

With Paolo Maldini watching from the sidelines, Milan quickly settled as the game got underway. It was Inter though that came close to scoring first. New signing Schneider nearly opened his Inter account just 24 hours since arriving in Milan when his wicked long range shot pulled out a great save from Storari.

Flamini was then booked for a foul on Lucio before rounding Maicon on the edge of the area. The Frenchman tried to claim a penalty but the referee rightly so waved play on.

Milan then had their first good chance after Pato raced down the left flank with the ball laying it off for fellow country man Ronaldinho. The Milan number 80 though could not keep his shot down and went to ground claiming a penalty. Once again the referee made the right choice and waved play on.

The ball then almost dropped for Borriello after Cesar could not keep hold of a cross from R80 as Milan continued to apply pressure. Borriello then managed to get into a position for a half chance with a header from a Zambrotta cross.

GOAL Inter started to dominate the game after 25 minutes and were rewarded with a goal on 29 minutes. A one two between Genoa old boys Milito and Motta put Motta through on goal and the Brazilian made no mistake. Milan 0 Inter 1

Borriello then had another half chance before things started to fall apart for Milan.

GOAL Maicon played Eto’o through on goal with a lovely long ball and as Eto’o headed for goal Gattuso brought him down. Fortunately Gattuso was only given a yellow card for a foul that deserved a red. Milito made no mistake from the spot. Milan 0 Inter 2

Then as Seedorf prepared to come on for the injured Gattuso, the Italian got himself sent off for a second bookable offence.

Down to ten men Storari had to make a save from a header from Lucio at point blank range.

GOAL Things just got worse for Milan as Inter claimed a third. It was Jankulovski that was rounded rather easily by the Brazilian that started the move that led to Inter’s third. Maicon played through on goal from Milito and finishing with aplomb.

Second Half

For the start of the second half, Leonardo make a couple of changes. Ambrosini and Seedorf came on for Borriello and Flamini.

Inter already with a three goal lead started the second half in confident fashion. Maicon making some of his trademark marauding runs down the flank and registering a shot in the opening stages of the half. Schneijder was having an impressive debut and looked eager to get on the scoresheet.

As the second half settled it became clear that Ronaldinho was not in the game. Having struggled in the first half the second half proved no different for R80.

Seedorf got himself into the game quickly though and created a good chance on 60 minutes when he played a dangerous ball across the face of goal. However no Milan player anticipated the cross and Inter dealt with the danger.

Eto’o had a goal disallowed on twenty minutes into the game as it was rightly called offside however they did claim their fourth shortly afterwards.

GOAL Muntari squared the ball to Stankovic who with a lovely long range strike drove the ball into the top right corner. Storari had no chance.

Huntelaar was introduced into the game for the unimpressive Ronaldinho and he shortly brought out a save from Cesar. Pato played the Dutchman through however Cesar got down well to block the attempt.

The game by this stage had become a training match for Inter. Milan, down to ten men, were unable to apply any pressure to Inter as they strolled through the second half.

Though having conceded four goals, Storari was not having a bad game. Eto’o may have been through on goal on 75 minutes but Storari came out well to tidy up.

The Inter players were lining up for shots and Stankovic almost got a second but Storari once again made a good save.

Pato still looked threatening up front however and with Seedorf on instead of Ronaldinho, Milan looked more composed.

Huntelaar was getting himself involved linking up well with Seedorf for a one two that almost put Seedorf in with a shooting chance.

A Pirlo through ball on 81 minutes found Huntelaar who brought the ball down with a good touch and tested Cesar at his near post.

Milan were unable to claim anything in the end. Meanwhile Inter sent out a very strong warning to Europe that this year may just be their year.

Inter look a better side compared to the one of last year. Scheijder, Eto’o, Milito and Motta all were impressive and have all seamlessly slotted into the team.

As for Milan the outlook is not good. It may be said that the outcome may have been different had not Gattuso got himself sent off. Maybe so but unlikely. Inter simply were the better team. They are a team with exceptional players who played an exceptional game tonight.

This derby raises more questions about this Milan side.

Ronaldinho was nowhere tonight. The Brazilian struggled to get into the game and he simply is not the player he once was nor a shadow even. Surely we will see glimpses of his best every now and then like we did last week against Siena. But in the games against good opposition Ronaldinho simply cannot make a difference. We should not expect any consistency from him also.

As for Leonardo, his team selection may be questioned. Borriello is hopeless. He does not get into positions to score nor can he find space. Because of this, players like Pirlo have limited options when playing the ball forward. Huntelaar should have started.

Another limiting factor in the Milan attack is the lack of options provided by our full backs. Zambrotta and Jankulovski simply do not get into attacking positions enough. For this Milan lack width when going forward.

So it is the same conclusion once again and that is Milan lack quality. Surely Berlusconi and Galliani realise that they really need to act soon and bring in some new players. But it may be too late and Milan may have to wait until January at least.

Milan are set for a long season. Playing on all fronts this year, this side simply does not have the quality nor the depth to be challengers on all fronts.

Milan will need to regroup and look ahead to next week where they take on Livorno.

A night of disaster for Milan and Rino