Tihinen's winner

Zurich recorded a famous victory as they held on for a slender victory at the San Siro. Milan wasted a host of chances as they failed to find the net yet again. Tihinen’s early opener stunned the homeside who had dominated possession in the early stages. The loss will sure spark huge debate about Milan’s current plight as Leo’s position becomes increasingly precarious.

First Half

Again, Milan started the match off well dominating possession in the early stages. Abate had Milan’s first attempt on goal but is was saved by Leoni.

GOAL Despite dominating possession, Zurich surprisingly took the lead on 10 minutes. A corner was tapped home by Tihinen and Zurich were up one nil.

Milan continued to dominate however and following some good work by Seedorf and Janku, Inzaghi was presented with a wonderful opportunity to take the lead but Pippo was unable to convert the chance.

Pippo soon had another chance after Abate found space down the right to whip in a cross. Again, however, Pippo was unable to direct his header on goal.

Milan were having trouble shooting on target as Seedorf also failed to hit the target from his long range effort on 33 minutes.

Storari had little to do up to this point, however, on 36 minutes the Italian made a great save to deny Djuric.

After starting off well, Milan’s performance worsened considerably as half time approached. Despite holding possession for long periods of time, the side created limited opportunities failing to hit the target once.

Second half

Not surprisingly, Leo made two changes at the start of the second half. Ronaldinho came on for Seedorf and Zambrotta replaced Flamini with Abate being pushed up into midfield.

Shortly after the restart, a weak Ambrosini shot almost fell to Inzaghi inside the six yard area however Pippo was only just unable to reach the ball.

Ronaldinho then registered Milan’s first shot on target when he drew a save from Leoni from a free kick from outside the area.

On 59 minutes Inzaghi had another opportunity from an Andrea Pirlo free kick. His header deflected Pirlo’s free kick on to goal but Leoni did well to tip the ball over.

Milan started to really push for an equaliser. Pato had a shot on 61 minutes, but his strong low effort was driven wide of the post.

Ronaldinho was playing in his preferred role off to the left of the attack and from there he found Pato with a great ball on 63 minutes. However, Pato was unable to keep his lob low as his attempt went over the bar with Leoni beaten. A real chance for Milan.

Worringly, Nesta was taken off soon after due to his back problem. Onyewu replaced the Italian.

Ronaldinho was looking lively and instigated Milan’s next goal scoring chance. Ronaldinho played in Ambrosini on the overlap and captain’s low cross found Inzaghi, but again Inzaghi was unable to finish.

Magairaz ran through the Milan defence on 65 minutes and fired a great shot on goal. But Storari did well to keep out the attempt.

Onyewu was looking vulnerable at the back, getting caught in possession on more than one occassion.

Milan increasingly grew frustrated as Abate and Janku picked up needless yellow cards.

Ronaldinho then carved out another opportunity this time for Pippo. Yet again Pippo was unable to find the net.

On 86 minutes, Ambrosini had a great chance after the ball fell to him just inside the area but his shot went wide.

The linesman did not make things easier for Milan, but Milan had not made things easier for themselves. As injury time approached, they were still down by a goal. Milan’s failure to convert their chances were catching up on them as Zurich tried to close out the match.

On the final whistle, Milan came agonisingly close to snatching a draw. Zambrotta’s long range shot thundered against the post rebounding straight back into play.

It was not to be Milan’s night as the referee sounded the end of the match.

Post match analysis

Well first of all this is uttterly unacceptable. For Milan to lose at home in the Champions League to a European minnow in FC Zurich is completely outrageous.

As fans we have come to expect a lower standard from the current side but never did we imagine that we would fail this much.

In comparison to FC Zurich, we probably do not have such a bad side, but only in comparison. For this reason, Leonardo must take some of the blame. He is not qualified enough as a coach nor has he shown a natural ability to help improve the performances of this team. This side has shown no improvement under his tutelage and surely now a replacement must be sought.

I do understand that Leo inherited a side riddled with problems. A side of has-beens, old legs, no youth, a lack of quality and a lack of depth. For this reason, Leo has been living on borrowed time. Barring a miracle, no one could ever in their right mind expect Leo to turn things around for this side. This was a disaster waiting to happen.

As for the match, Milan were perhaps unlucky not to score. Milan had a host of chances but failed to take any of them. Pippo in particular should of done better. For the chances were there, Milan just failed to convert them.

Indeed, Zurich were perhaps fortunate that they did not concede a goal. Milan were fortunate not to concede more than one goal thanks to Storari who was again impeccable saving Milan from a scoreline that may well have been even more humilitating.

Zurich’s solitary goal also had a slice of fortune about it. Tihinen almost seemed surprise himself when the ball ended in the back of the net.

Nonetheless, luck or no luck, Milan should be capable of at least claiming a point at home to such a side. Winning is what is really expected and Milan did not fully deserve to win this match. Though losing this match was perhaps harsh on the side.

Most worringly for Milan was the injury to Nesta who was taken off for Onyewu. Onyewu seemed completely out of his depth almost giving the ball away on two occasions when in the last line of defence.

Flamini was anonymous and surely has shown by now that he is no replacement for Gattuso. Ambrosini worked tirelessly, however he is completely useless when attacking.

Abate, who had a good first half, showed his frustration and inexperience in the second half as he picked up a needless yellow card and his performance dropped.

In fact, the whole side looked increasingly agitated as the match unfolded. One suspects that the issues surrounding this side have now taken root in the dressing room and this is affecting the whole side’s performance. The team seems to have stuck together up until now, but now following this most humiliating of losses, it is inevitable that tensions with and between the players will mount. Pato in particular looks frustrated by the lack of quality and guidance around him.

Milan are now at a crisis point. The Champions League was the only glimmer of light in this most disappointing start to the season. Now it seems that qualifying for the next phase may be beyond this side considering that we have to face Real Madrid twice in our last four matches.

With our Champions League campaign slipping away, our Serie A tilt seemingly over things are really starting to break down for this side. But it is perhaps the destruction that we have needed. A destruction that will force change at the club. Change that is so evidently needed in order for things to get better.