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Match - Wed 15 February, 21:45, San Siro
| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 27. Kevin-Prince Boateng (15’) | |
| 70. Robinho (38’) | |
| 70. Robinho (48’) | |
| 11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (79’) |
Milan gun down Arsenal
Milan opening goal scorer Kevin Prince Boateng
Milan came into the game welcoming back the return of Christian Abbiati in goal and Kevin-Prince Boateng as support behind the front-men of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho, while Alexandre Pato returned to the bench.
As the game commenced Clarence Seedorf immediately rattled the side netting but his appearance was short lived as he was forced into an early substitution, with Urby Emmanuelson coming in. The replacement Dutchman made an impact as he drilled wide a Boateng cross.
The Rossoneri took the lead just 15 minutes in as Boateng netted a most spectacular effort. The Ghanain received the ball from over the top, which he chested down volleyed into the bottom of the net. The shot was so powerful it struck the bottom bar and pounced right out.
Moments later Antonio Nocerino attempted a long-range attempt, but his was just over the bar from the edge of the box. Robinho also went on the counter after another Vermaelen error, but again could not finish off the move.
The lead was soon doubled with thanks to an individual effort by Ibrahimovic. The Swede made a run up the left-flank to work it to the byline, only to pass it back to Robinho who made no errors in heading it in.
Bacary Sagna used his body to work Ibrahimovic off a potential header, while Arsenal made a sub with Koscielny going off.
In the final minutes there was a painful collision between Milan’s left-back and the Arsenal shot-stopper. Luca Antonini rushed through the middle of the Arsenal defence in hope of latching on to an Ibra pass, but Szczesny bravely rushed off his line to charge down in a heavy collision. The Italian receiving a booking for his efforts.
The restart saw Arsene Wenger bring on their legend Thierry Henry for Theo Walcott, while the substitute Joahn Djourou was at full stretch to fight off a Boateng effort.
The hosts further extended their lead as Vermaelen made a slip in the box to allow Robinho to have a clean shot in goal, leaving the keeper helpless.
Luca Antonini was trying hard to get his name on the sheet as his shot went wide of goal, while Aaron Ramsey’s header was over the bar from a corner.
On 65 minutes Henry flicked up a pass for Robin van Persie’s stunning volley, but Christian Abbiati pulled out an yet another curcial save: the Milan ‘keeper keeping a fundamental piece in the Milan puzzle.
Van Persie unleashed another volley as Abbiati smothered it, but Arsenal’s woes were to be extended. Djourou was adjudged to have pulled down Milan’s Swede in the box. Ibrahimovic stood up to take the kick and hit it without ease, slotting it into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Pato made his come back onto the field and had his shot denied in the final minute of stoppages, while moments before van Persie once again saw his effort saved.
The result is a killer when the next stanza commences.Anyway anything can happen.It is not over until it is over. Best of luck to Arsene Wenger at Emirate
Where are THE GONER's fans? They made so much noise b4 d match. Sum even insulted Boateng when he granted an interview dat Milan will win. We await the 2nd leg at Emirates. The job is half done. FORZA MILAN!!!
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