Pato celebrates his winner

Once again Milan prove they are masters of European football. Dida’s calamitous mistake handed Raul and Real the initiative in the 19th minute but just slightly pass the hour mark Pirlo levelled proceedings with an exquisite long range shot. Pato then netted the second when the Real defence failed to deal with Ambrosini’s long punt. Despite Drenthe’s equaliser shortly after, Pato made sure victory was Milan’s with a neat finish just minutes from full time.

Real Madrid (Raul 18′, Drenthe 75′)
AC Milan (Pirlo 62′, Pato 65′, 87′)

Match Report
First half

Leo lined up his Milan in a 4-3-3 formation. With Pato on the right, Ronaldinho on the left and Inzaghi in the centre. Ambrosini was given the nod ahead of Flamini in midfield playing alongside Pirlo and Seedorf whilst the backline remained unchanged from the weekend with Oddo, Nesta, Thiago and Zambrotta.

The first half was a fairly dull affair as the game failed to live up to expectation. Milan settled in the quicker, dominating possession in the early exchanges.

Pato looked like he was in the mood whilst Ronaldinho struggled to make an early impression.

Real eventually settled into the match and could well have had a penalty a quarter of an hour in when Zambrotta brought down Benzema from behind without making contact with the ball. To Milan’s relief, the referee waved play on.

GOAL Minutes later and Real were in front. Granero’s tame shot from outside the box was incredibly fumbled by Dida and Raul was there to steer the ball home. Real 1 Milan 0. An absolutely dreadful error by our Brazilian keeper.

Certainly the initiative was now Real’s as they looked for their second. Kaka and Benzema were linking up well however the Milan defence was resolute.

Inzaghi then had a half chance for Milan, as Seedorf’s teasing cross into the area found the veteran. However his attempty went well wide and of course he was flagged offside too so it would not have counted anyway.

Milan, typical of their play this season, were struggling to carve out openings despite maintaining much possession. With Milan unable to unpick the Real defence and likewise Real struggling to break down a stubborn Italian defence, the first half eventually drew to a close in what was a rather uneventful but intense first half.

Second half

Dida, who had slowly redeemed himself towards the first half, continued to do so in the second half as he comfortably denied Kaka with his attempt from inside the area before making a fine save from Benzema.

Milan were setting out to attack. Seedorf pushed forward as Milan effectively were playing a 4-2-4 at times.

The anonymous Inzaghi was replaced by Borriello on 59 minutes.

GOAL Milan eventually did restore parity between the two sides. From a seemingly harmless position of all of 35 yards out Pirlo delivered a wicked long range effort that beat Casillas. Milan had drawn level. Real 1 Milan 1.

The goal sparked life into Milan and also the match. Zambrotta was next with a long range effort which skimmed past Casillas post.

GOAL Milan did find a second goal moments later as Ambrosini’s long ball caused utter confusion in the Real defence as it bypassed Casillas who was out of his area. Pato was then left with the simple task of tapping into an empty net. What joy as Milan took the lead. Real 1 Milan 2.

Milan were looking like the Milan of old now and continued to press forward in search of a third that could assure victory.

GOAL But Real had other ideas. Drenthe who had come on for Granero found Real’s equaliser. The corner was taken by Raul who spotted the dreadlocked Dutchman outside the box. His low drive beat beat Dida and Real were level. Real 2 Milan 2.

The match had turned around amazingly. A fairly uneventful tie in the first half, the match was turning into a classic as goals and drama unfolded.

Ronaldinho, who was fairing better in the second half, then skipped by Pepe before crossing into the centre. The ball fell to Seedorf who should have done better with his shot that went high, very high over the bar. It was a wonderful piece of magic by the Brazilian, reminiscent of the Ronaldinho of old.

By this time, it seemed inevitable that there was more to come. Indeed, Milan were looking dangerous going forward, in particular the young and confident Pato.

Five minutes from time Raul almost slotted the ball home following another fumble by Dida but thankfully Nesta was there to clear the line and the linesman also waved his flag for offside.

Pato then had a great chance to score five minutes from time. The ball fell kindly to him but his shot was saved by the outstretched legs of Casillas.

Milan looked more than capable of taking the lead again and they did on 86 minutes. Well, they should of have if not for a woeful decision by the referee. Thiago Silva had headed home a Ronaldinho cross but his goal was ruled out for a non-existent foul on Casillas. The reply clearly showed the goal was legitimate and the Milan players were rightly furious. Tension broke out between the sides and Nesta and Raul were both carded for their involvement.

If Real fans felt robbed in the first half when the referee failed to award them a clear penalty, then this decision against Milan balanced things out perhaps.

GOAL Milan, however, managed to find their third in what would prove to be the winner. Seedorf’s clever chip over the Real defence found Pato unmarked at the far post. The young Brazilian coolly volleyed past Casillas and Milan were in the lead again just minutes from time. Jubilation for Milan.

Dida completed his redemption on the night as he then made a great save from a Xabi shot that was headed for the far bottom corner.

Milan held out for the win in what was arguably a classic between these two great European powers. Milan once again showed their undeniable European pedigree as they claimed a vital three points against the resurgent Real Madrid.

Team Analysis

What a game! For a side that has failed to beat the likes of Livorno and Atalanta this season tonight’s match once again showed that in Europe Milan are truly a different side. They are a team simply made for this competition.

Pato was exceptional all night. In the first half when Milan were struggling to create chances, the young Brazilian showed promise with a number of class turns and runs. His first goal was well taken albeit a simple tap in. But his second strike was absolutely world class. In such an intimidating atmosphere at such a crucial time in the game, the still only 19 years old Pato finished with aplomb to seal victory for Milan. He really has turned the corner in the last two matches as he is once again looking like the Pato that we have seen before.

Ronaldinho was a largely peripherial figure. His first half showing was poor as he gave the ball away countless times however he did improve in the second half as he posed to be a more dangerous threat. However, he was not a major protaganist for Milan tonight.

Seedorf’s work rate tonight was exceptional. Always willing to help out in defence, he was also a vital component of Milan’s attacking play. His clever chip that set Pato up for the winner was world class as the Dutchman proved himself yet again on the biggest stage in Europe.

Andrea Pirlo failed to really affect proceedings. That was until his wonder strike on the hour mark. His equaliser turned the tide of the match as Milan looked a different and rejuventated side from then on.

Much to Milan’s credit, Kaka failed to make an impression in the game. Ambrosini in particular paid close attention to his former Milan teammate. Defensively Milan were sound. Nesta once again showed that he is still one of the best. His anticipation, leadership and positioning is nothing short of excellent. As for his parnter, Thiago Silva eventually warmed into the match following a nervous start. In regard to Dida, well he made up for his earlier mistake with a number of critical saves. However, his mistake remains unacceptable and if it were not for a wondrous Pirlo strike and a strong Milan finish to the match, his calamity may have undone us.

Going into this match and I was somewhat concerned about our full backs. But Oddo used his physical strenght and put all his experience to good use tonight as he did a sufficient job at right back though as an attacking force he was completely anonymous. Zambrotta receives a similar report but can also consider himself extremely lucky for not having conceded a penalty in the first half.

Much credit for Milan’s momentous victory should be awarded to our coach, Leo. By adopting a 4-3-3 formation, more time and space was afforded to Pato and Ronaldinho as the Real defence had to also pay attention to Inzaghi. The three pronged attack works well to this effect. In addition, Pato and to a lesser extent Ronaldinho were able to apply pressure to Sergio Ramos and Marcelo helping to nullify the attacking threat of the Real full backs. It also made the Real full backs less inclined to venture as they would only be leaving more space and time for either Pato and Ronaldinho to be played into a possible counter attack.

Real were largely allowed to play their passing game in the middle, however, with less options wide their play was effectively channeled down the middle of the park. This served well for the compact positioning of the Milan defence.

Final thoughts

True to my preview on this match, it indeed proved to be a special encounter. The first half did not promise much in the way of entertainment and hope for Milan. But the second half provided ample entertainment and pleasure at seeing the Milan of old once again excel in Europe.

Easily Milan’s best performance of the season in a match that will go down as a classic. The win tonight makes it two wins from two for Milan and is a sure sign that things are improving and that we are no longer in crisis.

But, as this season has showed us so far, this Milan side lacks consistency. So only with caution can we presume things to get better from here on. But, tonight’s wonderful victory can only serve to foster a renewed sense of belief in this side. A belief that will serve the side well both in Serie A and in Europe and help the side become more consistent.

But for now, lets just enjoy this victory and be thankful to Leo and his side for another memorable European night of football from Milan. For in Europe, there is no side like Milan.