Ronaldinho celebrates his equaliser

Milan have picked up a vital victory at home to Roma with two strikes from our Brazilian duo of Pato and Ronaldinho. Milan fell behind after a horrendous mistake from Thiago Silva put Jeremy Menez through on goal just minutes into the game. After a poor first half, Milan struck back in the second half with two goals. The first was from the spot after referee Rossetti rather fortuitously for Milan awarded a penalty. Ronaldinho made no mistake from the spot to claim his second goal in two games before playing a delightful pass to Pato who did superbly to beat Riise, round the keeper and slot home for what would be the winner.

First Half

Milan started the first half in typical fashion dominating possession but failing to threaten the Roma goal. On 3 minutes, Menez was played though by a woeful back pass from Thiago Silva and the French made no mistake slotting past Dida with ease.

The early signs were not good for Milan, with Ronaldinho and Pato struggling to make an impact.

Milan’s first shot on goal came on 10 minutes from the unlikely Oddo. His shot was weak, however, it did force a corner for the home side.

Roma continued to look threatening with Menez in particular a constant menace to the Milan defence. On 20 minutes, the diminutive Frenchman almost had another goal as he broke through the Milan defence only to hit the side netting. Milan were perhaps lucky as Roma could have had a penalty as Thiago seemed to pull back Menez as he struck. But Rossetti waved play on and Milan were off the hook.

A few minutes later it was De Rossi who came close to scoring. Following a fine run the Italian international forced a great save from Dida with a powerful strike from outside the area.

Milan’s first real chance arrived on 33 minutes when Seedorf picked out Pato in the box. The young Brazilian failed to control the ball and the Roma defence cleared the danger but only as far as Pirlo who drove his shot well over the bar.

Dida was called on again to make another crucial save. This time on 38 minutes as Vucinic, picked out superbly by Menez, stole through the Milan defence and into a one-on-one with Dida who did well to close down the Montenegran’s tame shot.

Moments later and Seedorf almost had the equaliser for Milan. Abate’s cross led to confusion in the Roma defence and Seedorf took advantage forcing Doni, who had the post to thank for a lucky rebound, into a save.

The first half drew to a close amidst whistles from the Milan faithful after yet another disappointing half from the Rossoneri.

Second Half

With Milan behind by one goal, Leo brought on Inzaghi for Abate at the start of the second half. And it was the Milan veteran who came oh so close to scoring just minutes into the half. Inzaghi got on to the end of a Pirlo corner kick but his effort was cleared off the line by Pizarro.

GOAL On 56 minutes, Burdisso was deemed to have fouled Nesta in the area as the former Lazio captain fell to the ground. Rossetti promptly awarded the penalty, a decision that infuriated the Roma players. Ronaldinho made no mistake from the spot and Milan were level.

Milan, after having equalised, grew in confidence playing in what was effectively a 4-3-3 system with Ronaldinho on the left, Pato on the right and Pippo in the centre.

On 64 minutes Seedorf perhaps should have done better. Pato with some neat work down the left, found Seedorf in the area but his shot was weak and off target. The Dutchman should have done better from such a position.

GOAL Minutes later and Milan were ahead thanks to a wonderful ball from Ronaldinho that picked out Pato on the run. With one touch he skipped past Riise and with his second touch he bypassed Doni to slot the ball home with his third touch. It was a great moment as Pato ended his scoring drought and more importantly put Milan into a winning position.

Pato slotting home the winner

Inzaghi and Ambrosini then picked up needless yellow cards before De Rossi should have scored for Roma. Thankfully, the Roma captain blasted his shot over the ball from well inside the area.

It seemed inevitable all night when just under ten minutes remaining Ambrosini picked up his second yellow card following his umpteenth foul of the night. The Milan captain had no case in arguing against Rossetti’s decision.

A couple of minutes later and Pato could have really sealed the win for Milan. Played through once again by Ronaldinho with a beautiful through ball, Pato’s first touch was far too heavy as the ball rolled to Doni.

Milan looked to close the match out as Flamini was brought on for Ronaldinho. The Brazilian was greeted with applause as he made way and deservingly so following his match winning display in the second half.

Milan held on for a vital win, a win that sees them climb to 8th position, just three points behind fourth-placed Fiorentina.

Team analysis

It was the tail of two halves for Milan tonight. On the basis of the first half performance, it seemed like it would be another disappointing night for the Rossoneri. But to their credit, they came back in the second half with a stellar, though not vintage, performance scoring twice to claim the victory.

Given that Milan had only scored more than one goal in just two of their nine matches played so far this season, it was a great effort to score twice tonight after being behind by a goal at the break. Most importantly, Pato will have regained much confidence after his strike as the young Brazilian had not found the net since the opening day of the season. His goal was superb all round with the ball by Ronaldinho and Pato’s touch and finish of world class standard.

There had been positive signs from Ronaldinho in the week leading up to this clash. The Brazilian had come out and said that he wanted to repay the faith put in him by Berlusconi and his efforts in training also greatly improved. Despite a poor showing in the first half, Dinho proved to be the difference tonight with a well taken penalty and a wonderfull assist for Pato.

It is a testament to how phenomenal Dinho was in his time at Barcelona that he can put in a man of the match performance in match like this and still not look quite like the player he once did. Though tonight he definitely showed signs of improvement and just needs to keep working hard in order to more consistent.

For there is no doubting that if Dinho can be work consistent and put in more performances like he did tonight then there is hope for Milan this season because for all his faults, we still rely heavily on Ronaldinho.

Interestingly in the second half, Milan played better in what was effectively a 4-3-3 formation, with Ronaldinho in is favoured left sided role, Inzaghi in the centre and Pato on the right. I have long advocated that a 4-4-2 formation is what should be used by Leo. However and as tonight showed, we rely greatly on Ronaldinho and in order to get the best out of him there is only one place to play him and that is on the left side of a three pronged attack. Ronaldinho was anonymous in the first half playing upfront. But reverting to his favoured role on the left, he was greatly more effective.

At the back and Nesta was once again superb. He is without doubt one of the best defenders in the world today having barely put a foot wrong all season. As for Thiago, despite a horrific start to the game, the young Brazilian put in a stellar performance at the back alongside Nesta.

Dida is also worthy of a mention. He made a few quality saves to keep Milan in the contest in the first half in particular. He really could not do too much about the goal being left so exposed by his defence.

Our captain Ambrosini is increasingly becoming a liability. Not only in tonight’s match has Ambrosini continuously conceded free kicks. It is inevitable that he will pick up a number of yellow cards this season and the red card here and there. It is becoming quite obvious that Milan lack a quality defensive midfielder. Gattuso is finished, so too is Ambrosini and Flamini does not cut it at this level.

Tonight’s victory was so important for a number of reasons. Pato’s goal will give the player a renewed sense of confidence. At the same time it will have given Ronaldinho the belief that he still has something to give to Milan. Lastly, a victory over a formidable opponent such as Roma will be a great boost of confidence to the whole side as they now prepare to face Real Madrid a few days time.