Milan beat BATE Borisov overnight to retain top spot in Group H of the Champions League. In the end a goal each from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin Prince Boateng was enough to give the Max Allegri’s side their second win of the competition.

Here is what they all had to say after the match.

Massimiliano Allegri – We want top spot, Taiwo was better

“It was good to give Taiwo a chance to show what a good player he is. He’s getting a lot better in training”

“We want to finish top of the group and so we’ll have to win in Minsk.”

Allegri is a man with one clear goal: to guide Milan to top spot in the group. The aim for such a club should never be anything less, even if the group contains perhaps the best club side in history. Winning the group will increase Milan’s chances of progressing beyond the round of 16 due to the number one seeding it will earn. We should win in Minsk which will leave leave us level with Barcelona for the showdown on November 23. Cannot wait.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – I am happy, everybody should just learn Swedish to understand me better

“I’m not unhappy. I’ll have to teach everyone to speak Swedish because no one understood what I was talking about in that interview. I’m fine and I’ll show that on the pitch.”

Ibrahimovic scored against BATE to make it two from two for him in Europe so far. The ‘big’ Swede enjoyed a stellar game and while he did get on the scoresheet, he should have scored more. Something like 10 shots did he tally but only one – the one that went in – was on target. He should have had a hat-trick and then perhaps my 4-0 prediction would have been spot on. Thanks for nothing Ibra.

Speaking of his recent comments where he apparently indicated his unhappiness and desire to leave football soon, Ibra made it clear that none of it was true. Rather, everything was just lost in translation. The solution according to him? We should all start learning Swedish. Whatever to keep you happy Zlatan.

Taye Taiwo – I am happy too and I am more comfortable in the Champions League

“I’m happy to have played a big game this evening and to have been able to help the team. I’m also happy because this evening I’ve been able to show what I can do on the field.

“In the Champions League the play is different. I know it a bit better than I know Serie A because I have some experience in playing there.”

Easily his best show in the red and black and little surprise it came in the Champions League. The Nigerian has struggled to adapt to the Serie A, but, European football is a different matter as he says.

Nevertheless, he has made it quite clear that he is also a happy chappy – like Zlatan – and this can only help him improve his domestic form.

Mauro Tassotti – Mexes not ready for important games

“Mexes is fine, he needs to play but we can’t just throw him on for important games. We’ll have to do it sooner or later. We had hoped to give him more time this evening but the game was too finely balanced until the end.”

While the match with BATE was a relatively straight forward affair, it was nonetheless an important one. Milan are aiming for top spot so beating Viktoria Plzen and BATE in all four games is crucial to having a chance of finishing ahead of Barcelona.

For this reason Mexes was given only a brief six minute cameo. Had only Ibra scored more goals, Mexes would have got more playing time, Tassoti would have been more happy, and I would have won my bet. Again, thanks for nothing Ibra.

Antonio Nocerino – Gattuso is a legend but I am a left-sided midfielder

“I have a great relationship with Gattuso. I’ve known him for some time and I have only good words to say about him. He’s a legend. He made history with this club. To compare me with him is too much I think. I’m not his replacement or substitute and I hope we’ll play together when he gets back”

We know your no Gattuso, Antonio. But you’re not too bad either. Another good performance, keep it going. And yes, we all know you are a left-sided midfielder, you have said this before.

Philippe Mexes – I am emotional and ten years is too long

“I’m feeling very emotional. I want to dedicate this to my family and those close to me. It’s so important to play again.

“We trust each other and we’ll keep on going like this. Let’s hope we can break the trend against Lecce where we haven’t won in 10 years.”

Mexes made his debut for the club albeit only after coming on as a late substitute. But, it was important for him to get his first experience in a Milan shirt.

He has missed much action on the field, but, it seems the Frenchman has been doing his homework on past Milan results as he enlightened us all that it has been ten years since we last won in Lecce. Correction Mr. Mexes, 2002 was only nine years ago.