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Match - Tue 6 November, 21:45, San Siro
| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 9. Alexandre Pato (73’) | 18. Eliseu (40’) |
Malaga drop points to Milan but still qualify
Alexandre Pato, AC Milan
Milan made just three changes from the side which beat Chievo 5-1 with Alexandre Pato and Nigel De Jong filling in for Giampaolo Pazzini and Massimo Ambrosini respectively, whilst Daniele Bonera filtered into the defence in place of Cristian Zapata.
However they were forced into making an early change when Ignazio Abate had to be replaced by Mattia De Sciglio in the 6th minute due to injury.
Malaga were dictating the majority of the opening stages of the game and it took a light lob towards goal by Eliseu to create the first attack at goal, 16 minutes in, but it caused no trouble for Christian Abbiati.
Urby Emanuelson has really come to life for Milan in recent weeks and he nearly got on the score sheet once again when he curled in a free-kick into the top corner, but it was well pushed around the bar by Wily with a fingertip save, 27 minutes into the game.
Malaga were yet to lose a game or concede a goal in any of their Champions League encounters and they continued to live the dream when they grabbed the lead in the 40th minute.
Eliseu was at it again when he attached onto a through ball, which skipped through a forest of legs, to see him slice it into the far post in an unmarked position.
Manuel Iturra risked a yellow card on several occasions and finally got added to the referee’s book after conceding his third foul in the game just before the hour mark. His yellow card means he will be missing Malaga’s next game.
Kevin-Prince Boateng was finally added into the mix when he replaced a fatigued Stephan El Shaarawy in hope of bringing some change to their play.
The Rossoneri knew that they couldn’t afford to miss out on the points and they continued to push for an equalizer. It eventually arrived when Pato headed home his first goal in over a year on the 73rd minute off a Constant cross.
Milan continued to apply the pressure but failed to find the goal which would hand them a lead as Malaga became the first team in Group C to qualify for the final 16.
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