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Match - Wed 19 October, 20:45, San Siro
| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (33’) | |
| 27. Kevin-Prince Boateng (70’) |
Ibra and Boateng hand Milan victory over BATE
Kevin Prince Boateng
The Rossoneri came into the match as joint top leaders alongside Barcelona and were in need of a win to keep up with the pace of the Spanish champions who were set to face Viktoria Plzen.
After four minutes Milan came into action when Zlatan Ibrahimovic grazed a corner, while Alberto Aquilani blasted a poorly dealt with clearance over the top.
The summer arrival Aquilani had another shot as he blasted the ball into the upright after receiving the ball on the edge of the area.
On the half hour mark the Rossoneri scraped through a deadly attack by Renan Brassen, as he latched onto a poor Mark Van Bommel back pass to go one-on-one with Christian Abbiati. Luckily for Milan the keeper was on form.
The 2007 Champions League winners instantly responded from the BATE scare as Ibrahimovic put the Italians ahead. The Swede charged down a pass directed to Aquilani by Ignazio Abate, who sliced in a low fierce shot.
Ibra threatened again with a dangerous lob, just minutes later, but it was to skim wide bringing Milan into half time with a slender lead.
The restart saw a different air to the game as it seemed that Milan had lost all confidence when BATE broke free minutes after the whistle. Mateja Kezmen had his shot closed down by Alessandro Nesta, which was met with a follow up shot by Bressan whose effort went over the bar.
Abbiati also had to get down to fingertip a Maksim Bordachev angled drive inches past the far post.
The introduction of Robinho for Antonio Cassano seemed to add more ease and confidence to Milan as they pulled away from the BATE attacks to gain more control of the game.
It was through Ghana’s Boateng that the lead was doubled as the midfielder struck a perfect cross from Aquilani, whose shot hit the inside of the post and bounced down into the goal, leaving the keeper helpless.
It was all smiles around the red and black part of the San Siro as Phillipe Mexes was introduced for Nesta, the Frenchman making his much anticipated Milan debut.
The win brings Milan to 7 points from three games, as they prepare to meet Barcelona on November 23 in the next group match.
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