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Friendly: Varese 2:0 AC Milan
27.7 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Massimiliano Allegri’s first game in charge of Milan didn’t exactly go as planned. The Rossoneri lost 2-0 away to Second Division Varese.

Admittedly, Milan only started pre-season training last week, but Allegri will be concerned his side got turned over so easily given he started with a relatively strong XI.

Christian Abbiati, Massimo Ambrosini, Clarence Seedorf, Mathieu Flamini, Alexandre Pato and Marco Borriello were all among the starters.

However, Milan were under the cosh right from the off, as Daniele Buzzegoli gave Varese the lead after just six minutes.

Buzzegoli was running riot and went close again five minutes later, although his shot soared high over the bar.

Borriello then started hobbling about with a foot injury and would eventually be replaced, but not before Varese had doubled their advantage.

Veteran striker Marco Cellini made a fool out of Kakha Kaladze, leaving the Georgian defender on his backside before finding the right-hand corner of the net.

Allegri made wholesale changes in the second half, handing debuts to Marco Amelia and Mario Yepes, but to no avail.

Seedorf hit a decent free-kick in the 75th minute, but Mathieu Moreau, Varese’s French goalkeeper, made a fine save.

Massimo Oddo was booed as the game finally drew to a close. Milan’s supporters are believed to be unhappy that the veteran full-back was given a contract extension last week. Kaladze also didn’t escape their wrath.

Allegri looked slightly worried when the final whistle was blown, but Milan had a horrendous pre-season last summer and still went on to dispute a respectable campaign in Serie A.

Friendly: Montreal Impact 1:4 AC Milan
3.6 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Milan have concluded their tour of North America with a thumping 4-1 victory over Canadian side Montreal Impact.

After the 3-2 defeat to DC United and the 1-0 victory over Chicago Fire, Milan outclassed Impact in front of over 47,000 supporters.

Alexandre Pato put Milan ahead after 12 minutes, dispatching an assist from Clarence Seedorf. Impact then equalised just five minutes later, but Pippo Inzaghi restored his side's advantage midway through the first half with a classy finish.

In the second half, Mauro Tassotti made several changes, but it was Seedorf and Ronaldinho who sealed the victory, the Brazilian winning and then scoring a penalty with nine minutes remaining.

Milan are now on their way back to Italy, although some of the players have gone on to holiday in Miami or the Bahamas.

Friendly: Chicago Fire 0:1 AC Milan - match report
31.5 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Clarence Seedorf scored the only goal of an entertaining game, which also brought an end to Milan's Tour of the United States.

Mauro Tassotti lined up Milan in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Alexandre Pato starting up front after Pippo Inzaghi suffered a fever.

The Rossoneri created little in the first half and saw their own goal peppered with shots several shots, which kept Dida busy.

However, Tassotti's decision to change Milan's system to a 4-2-1-3 with Davide Di Gennaro in the middle and Pato on the right yielded more results.

Seedorf put Milan ahead in the 47th minute when he broke down the left-hand side, went around Andrew Dykstra in the Chicago goal and slotted home from a tight angle.

The match was remarkable for two pitch invaders, one of whom managed to embrace Ronaldinho before being escorted off the pitch.

Milan will now fly to Canada for their final friendly match before returning home to Italy.

Chicago Fire: Dykstra (Johnson 59); Robinson, Brown (Watson-Siriboe 64), Conde, Krol; Nyarko, Husidic (Bone 69), Pause, Mapp (Umanzor 75), Pappa; McBride (Banner 45)

Milan: Dida; Abate (Oddo 45), Nesta, Favalli (Terzi 66), Antonini; Blasi (Jankulovski 82), Brocchi; Di Gennaro (Mancini 45), Seedorf, Ronaldinho (Delvecchio 75); Pato

Friendly: DC United 3:2 AC Milan
27.5 || webmaster

AC Milan lost the first friendly on US soil this season against DC United 3-2. Here's a briefing, courtesy of ACMilan.com:

DC UNITED (4-3-3): Hamid (46' Perkins); Graye (46' McTavish), Talley (46' Rice), Pena (26' James), Wallace; Najar (64' Barklage), Simms (46' Morsink), King (64' Khumalo); Emilio (46' Allsopp), Quaranta ( 46' Moreno), Pontius (46' Castillo). Coach: Onalfo

MILAN (4-4-2): Abbiati; Abate (55' Inzaghi), Nesta, Terzi (64' Favalli), Antonini (80' Diniz); Brocchi (73' Di Gennaro), Flamini (38' Blasi; 81' Del Vecchio), Seedorf, Jankulovski (46' Oddo); Pato, Ronaldinho (60' Mancini). Coach: Tassotti

REFEREE: Mark Kadlecik (USA)

SCORERS: 20' Emilio (D.C.); 30' Pontius (D.C.); 61' Allsopp (D.C.); 70' & 73' Oddo (M)

ATTENDANCE: 30.367

Serie A: AC Milan 3:0 Juventus - match report
15.5 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Antonini 14 (M), Ronaldinho 29, 68 (M)

Ronaldinho bagged a brace as Milan crushed Juventus 3-0 and a touched Leonardo waved goodbye to San Siro.

The Bianconeri have amassed 15 defeats in a single Serie A season, a club record matching the 1961-62 run.

There was only pride at stake here, as both teams were already secure in third and seventh place respectively. Leonardo and Alberto Zaccheroni waved goodbye in their final games after confirming their exits. Mathieu Flamini sat out a ban, while Daniele Bonera, Massimo Ambrosini, David Beckham, Momo Sissoko, Sebastian Giovinco and Antonio Chimenti were injured. Diego and Felipe Melo were not 100 per cent fit, so Antonio Candreva took the trequartista role.

Juve were unbeaten here since a 3-1 result in October 2005, but lost 3-0 at home earlier this season. Milan supporters held up a large banner before kick-off thanking Leonardo and the players for their efforts, but blaming President Silvio Berlusconi for the poor campaign.

Vincenzo Iaquinta should've given Juve the lead after four minutes when he sprung the offside trap and rushed towards goal, but he pulled the angled drive across the face of goal.

Antonio Candreva also broke through the Rossoneri defence to fire over. At the other end Luca Antonini's cross found Alexandre Pato at the back post, but he couldn't get enough power to the free header to beat Gigi Buffon, while the goalkeeper parried at the near post from Ronaldinho.

Nelson Dida beat away a Claudio Marchisio snapshot in messy fashion, as it bounced off his chest.

It was Milan who struck against the run of play with a classic counter-attack. Antonini exchanged passes with Clarence Seedorf in the final third to surge into the box, where his shot took a deflection off Fabio Cannavaro to leave Buffon stranded at the near post. There were touching scenes after the goal, as Antonini rushed to the byline to lift up Leonardo.

Juventus fans repeatedly threw fireworks from the stands, prompting warnings from the officials and the threat of suspending the game.

Hasan Salihamidzic curled just wide of the top corner with Dida rooted to the spot.

Milan doubled their lead with Ronaldinho. The Brazilian started the move through the middle and - thanks in part to a clumsy Fabio Grosso attempt at an interception - Pato was able to prod it back into his path to drill home the daisy-cutter at the near post. It was a special goal for Dinho, who has been left out of Brazil's World Cup squad.

Alex Del Piero received from Jonathan Zebina 20 metres out and unleashed a screamer that Dida palmed out from under the crossbar. Cannavaro had a free header from a set play, but couldn't steer it on target.

Just before half-time the Milan fans unfurled a banner that read: 'Leo - quite simply, thank you.' The Coach stood and waved to the supporters, clearly moved by their affection in his final game.

Pato went on a blazing slalom through the Juve defence, eventually closed down for a corner by Giorgio Chiellini.

Zac made a double change at the break with Alex Manninger and Mauro Camoranesi coming off the bench, as Buffon is suffering from a back problem.

Manninger's first test was having his palms stung by a powerful Pato free kick. Alessandro Nesta made his comeback after a long injury lay-off, replacing Giuseppe Favalli.

Marco Borriello's shot was charged down when he perhaps should've passed it to Pato.

Milan made it 3-0 with a Ronaldinho brace, confirming his strong record against Juventus, as he also netted two in Turin. Zambrotta's long cross found an unmarked Dinho down the left side of the box and his snooker-shot flashed across Manninger into the far bottom corner.

Ronaldinho was also visibly moved as he made way for Pippo Inzaghi and accepted the standing ovation from San Siro, then held Leonardo in a long hug on the touchline.

Dida took two touches to get a Claudio Marchisio snapshot under control, while on the counter Thiago Silva had to put the ball out for a corner under pressure. Dida also waved goodbye, as he is expected to leave Milan this summer.

Milan: Dida (Abbiati 86); Zambrotta, Thiago Silva, Favalli (Nesta 62), Antonini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Pato, Borriello, Ronaldinho (Inzaghi 71)

Juventus: Buffon (Manninger 46); Zebina (Caceres 74), Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Salihamidzic (Camoranesi 46), Poulsen, Marchisio; Candreva; Iaquinta, Del Piero

Ref: Trefoloni

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: Genoa 1:0 AC Milan - match report
9.5 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorer: Sculli 57 (G)

Giuseppe Sculli added to Milan's crisis with a free header, but at least the Rossoneri are mathematically safe in third place.

The authorities made a last-minute decision to play this game behind closed doors, as tension was sky high. The Rossoneri supporters hadn't travelled here for 15 years since Genoa fan Vincenzo Spagnolo was stabbed outside San Siro.

At least there was someone in the stands, as Rossoblu Coach Gian Piero Gasperini sat out a ban along with the injured Bosko Jankovic, Houssine Kharja and Marco Rossi. Milan welcomed back Alexandre Pato and Alessandro Nesta from long lay-offs, but Massimo Ambrosini was suspended.

Domenico Criscito's sliding tackle stopped Pato running clear on a Gennaro Gattuso through ball, but it was difficult for the two teams to raise the tempo in an empty stadium.

Marco Borriello's shot was charged down and the Mathieu Flamini follow-up whistled wide.

Pato did get the ball in the back of the net with his header from Ronaldinho's assist, but the goal was ruled offside.

Marco Amelia beat away another Borriello effort following good build-up play from Andrea Pirlo.

After the restart Amelia pushed Borriello's shot round the post and did the same with an acrobatic volley from the former Genoa hitman.

It was Genoa who broke the deadlock thanks to some woeful defending. A corner kick was floated in and Borriello completely lost his man, leaving Giuseppe Sculli with a free header from six yards.

The Rossoblu nearly made it 2-0, as Robert Acquafresca had acres of space to smash a snapshot from distance that cracked against the underside of the bar to bounce back out.

Milan should probably have drawn level in the second half, but Borriello and Klaas Jan Huntelaar wasted several golden opportunities.

Flamini saw red at the death for a second bookable offence.

Genoa: Amelia; Tomovic, Papastathopulos (Fatic 46), Bocchetti; Mesto, Zapater, Juric, Criscito; Palacio (Palladino 89), Acquafresca (Suazo 65), Sculli

Milan: Dida; Abate, Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini (Zambrotta 57); Flamini, Pirlo, Gattuso (Huntelaar 65); Pato (Seedorf 74), Borriello, Ronaldinho

Ref: Damato

Sent off: Flamini 85 (M)

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: AC Milan 1:0 Fiorentina - match report
1.5 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorer: Ronaldinho pen 78 (M)

A late Ronaldinho penalty mathematically secured a Champions League spot for Milan thanks to a 1-0 win over Fiorentina.

Both giants were struggling to stay afloat and ending the campaign with a whimper. Leonardo admitted this week he was "incompatible" with President Silvio Berlusconi and likely to leave. He adopted a 'heavy' trident attack with Clarence Seedorf in support, but missed David Beckham Alexandre Pato, Alessandro Nesta, Ignazio Abate and Oguchi Onyewu. Fiorentina changed system by dropping Juan Manuel Vargas for an extra midfielder. Mario Alberto Santana, Manuel Pasqual, Alessandro Gamberini, Dias Felipe and Gianluca Comotto were out of action.

The Viola had the first chance, as Riccardo Montolivo won back the ball in midfield and combined with Stevan Jovetic before his low strike was fingertipped round the post by Nelson Dida. From the corner Alberto Gilardino's acrobatic scissor-kick was well held.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar controlled a cross to strike against the side-netting on the volley.

Milan had a great chance after 15 minutes when a corner came to Ronaldinho's header from six yards, but it was kept out by a desperate Cristiano Zanetti goalline clearance.

Huntelaar had penalty appeals for a tussle with De Silvestri, but play continued and Marco Borriello drilled wide. At the other end Gilardino couldn't quite squeeze a shot away from close range when surrounded by three defenders.

Ronaldinho's mazy run forced a save from Sebastien Frey's outstretched foot at the near post. From the corner, Huntelaar got a nasty cut to his eye in an accidental clash with Massimo Gobbi.

The Rossoneri should've gone in front after 41 minutes. A corner came out to Gianluca Zambrotta, whose shot turned into an assist for Ronaldinho's header, but Frey flew to palm it out from under the bar from point-blank range in a sensational save.

Frey punched away a Ronaldinho free kick from the outside corner of the box, but Dinho was rightly booked for a dive in the penalty area.

After the restart Seedorf blasted off target, while Ronaldinho's cross flashed past Huntelaar in the six-yard box.

Vargas replaced the ineffective Marco Marchionni, but lost Jovetic to injury for Adem Ljajic moments later.

Seedorf was tripped just outside the box and Ronaldinho's free kick went round the wall, forcing a great flying save out of Frey.

Fiorentina introduced striker Keirrison for midfielder Zanetti, returning to a more attacking system.

The Rossoneri continued to dominate in terms of chances, as Ronaldinho rolled the ball between two defenders for the on-rushing Seedorf to fire a screamer over the bar from the D.

As a last throw of the dice, Leonardo threw on Amantino Mancini and Pippo Inzaghi for Seedorf and Huntelaar. Within minutes it paid off, as the referee pointed to the spot for a Per Kroldrup two-footed tackle on Borriello, although it could be argued he got the ball. Ronaldinho stepped up and converted at the near post despite Frey getting a fingertip to it.

Vargas attempted a long-range snapshot that almost surprised Dida, who punched it away.

Milan ended the game with 10 men, as captain Massimo Ambrosini picked up a second yellow card for bringing down Gilardino on the edge of the box. Vargas thumped the resulting free kick over the bar.

Luca Antonini got the slightest of touches to take a cross away from De Silvestri deep into stoppages. Dida smothered a dipping free kick from Vargas in the last chance of the game.

Milan: Dida; Zambrotta, Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf (Mancini 75); Huntelaar (Inzaghi 75), Borriello, Ronaldinho (Flamini 81)

Fiorentina: Frey; De Silvestri, Kroldrup, Natali, Gobbi; Zanetti (Keirrison 67), Bolatti, Montolivo; Marchionni (Vargas 56), Jovetic (Ljajic 59); Gilardino

Ref: Russo

Sent off: Ambrosini 87 (M)

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: Palermo 3:1 AC Milan - match report
24.4 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Bovo 9 (P), Abel Hernandez 19 (P), Seedorf 55 (M), Miccoli 69 (P)

Cesare Bovo, Abel Hernandez and a glorious Fabrizio Miccoli strike saw Milan hammered 3-1 in Palermo.

It was fifth against third at the Barbera and on current form the Rosanero were favourites. Leonardo had precious few choices available, as Marco Borriello, Daniele Bonera and Massimo Ambrosini sat out bans. The injury list included Alexandre Pato, Alessandro Nesta, David Beckham, Ignazio Abate, Mathieu Flamini, Kakha Kaladze and Giuseppe Favalli. Dorin Goian was suspended for Palermo, while Mark Bresciano and Fabio Simplicio were sidelined.

Milan have only ever won here once since Palermo returned to the top flight six years ago, in 2005-06.

The Sicilians had a bright start and took the lead thanks to some dismal defending. A Fabrizio Miccoli corner was flicked on to the back post, where Cesare Bovo was left blissfully unmarked to side-foot home from a couple of yards.

Marek Jankulovski was playing in a more advanced position, but scuffed well wide after combining with Ronaldinho on the edge of the box. An audacious Antonio Nocerino volley was over.

The Rosanero made it 2-0 with a well-worked team move. Massimo Oddo was playing as a makeshift centre-back and he was caught in possession for Miccoli to immediately release Abel Hernandez, the angled drive leaving Nelson Dida no chance.

Milan had a chance handed to them after 25 minutes. A lucky ricochet allowed Huntelaar to turn in the box, but Salvatore Sirigu got down well to smother.

Sirigu punched away a dangerous Jankulovski cross from the left, while the goalkeeper flew to fingertip an Andrea Pirlo dipping strike out from under the crossbar.

Huntelaar and Giulio Migliaccio headers were wide, but it was nearly 3-0 when Seedorf gave the ball away for Miccoli's daisy-cutter that Dida pushed round the near post.

Seedorf tried to make up for it with a volley from a corner kick that was deflected off target following good work from Huntelaar.

Straight after the restart a Miccoli effort was charged down by Gianluca Zambrotta for a corner.

Seedorf got Milan back into the game with a well-taken goal. Pirlo and Ronaldinho paved the way with through balls for Seedorf to be released in the box and slide it past Sirigu at the near post from eight yards.

Pippo Inzaghi was thrown on for Zambrotta, as Leonardo tried to complete the comeback moving Jankulovski to left-back and Seedorf to midfield.

Just as the Rossoneri were dominating and pouring forward, Miccoli struck to extend Palermo's lead against the run of play. Fabio Liverani threaded it through for Miccoli to turn, but the finish was exquisite, as he curled a brilliant right-foot strike into the top corner as if it was remote controlled. It was his 20th goal in 36 games in all competition this season.

Pastore should've made it 4-1 when Liverani's beautiful ball over the top completed the duet, but Dida did well to throw himself at the Argentine like a human shield.

Inzaghi thought he had made it 3-2 when rolling past Sirigu in a one-on-one, but the offside flag was raised.

Dida made another save at the near post from Edinson Cavani on the counter. Inzaghi was on side moments later, but prodded wide when Huntelaar was unmarked standing next to him.

Dida again twice parried from Cavani after tearing the Milan defence to shreds. In the final minute Pirlo's shot was deflected inches wide of the target.
Palermo: Sirigu; Cassani, Kjaer, Bovo, Balzaretti; Migliaccio (Bertolo 64), Liverani (Blasi 89), Nocerino; Pastore; Abel Hernandez (Cavani 57), Miccoli

Milan: Dida; Zambrotta (Inzaghi 61), Oddo, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Jankulovski (De Vito 79); Seedorf (Mancini 87); Huntelaar, Ronaldinho

Ref: Romeo

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: Sampdoria 2:1 AC Milan - match report
18.4 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Borriello 20 (M), Cassano pen 59 (S), Pazzini 92 (S)

Giampaolo Pazzini punished 10-man Milan in stoppages to end their Scudetto ambitions and send the Blucerchiati clear in fourth place.

It was fourth welcoming third and the Blucerchiati were buoyed by their derby victory, not to mention unbeaten at home all season. Milan were effectively out of the title race already after one win from five rounds and headlines primarily dealt with Leonardo's future. Andrea Pirlo's ban saw him join David Beckham, Alexandre Pato, Alessandro Nesta, Giuseppe Favalli, Kahka Kaladze and Mathieu Flamini. Samp had Daniele Gastaldello suspended, plus Nicola Pozzi, Accardi and Luca Castellazzi out.

Goalkeeper Marco Storari is currently on loan from Milan and eager to impress the club that owns his contract.

Antonio Cassano only grazed a dangerous Stefano Lucchini cross with his head, while Marco Borriello did the same on Amantino Mancini's assist.

Clarence Seedorf's daisy-cutter whizzed inches wide of the upright, but Milan broke through after 20 minutes.

Former Genoa star Marco Borriello rose relatively undisturbed for a powerful header into the top corner from Mancini's set play.

It should've been 2-0 moments later. Storari came flying out to close down Borriello, but the striker got round him to cross for Mancini and the Brazilian ballooned over an open goal!

Seedorf only managed a fresh-air shot on Ronaldinho's assist, while Giampaolo Pazzini had penalty appeals waved away.

Nelson Dida has been under fire recently, but performed two crucial saves in 30 seconds. The first denied Cassano's volley at the near post after a defensive error, then he was at full stretch to palm Lucchini's header off the line from the resulting corner. The move continued and Cassano nodded just over.

The rest of the first half was all Sampdoria, but they could not find a way through. Milan also lost Massimo Ambrosini to injury, making way for Gianluca Zambrotta.

On 53 minutes the game turned, as Daniele Bonera brought down Cassano with a very clumsy tackle from behind, leading to a penalty and red card. Cassano got back up to convert the spot-kick low to the near post despite Dida guessing the right angle.

More bad news, as Borriello was booked and will be suspended for next week's clash with Palermo. Massimo Oddo had to improvise as a centre-back because there were no other options for Leonardo.

Borriello drilled wide and Storari had his palms stung by Gennaro Gattuso from nine yards after Ronaldinho's assist.

Despite playing a man down, Milan had the better chances at Marassi. Ronaldinho set up Borriello for a great opportunity, but the striker incredibly slipped for a weak effort wide.

Ronaldinho went for goal himself and the curler from the edge of the box skimmed the upright. Dida needed two attempts to get a Reto Ziegler rocket under control.

Zambrotta was fortunate to get in the way and deflect Tissone's powerful shot out for a corner. From the resulting set play, Dida completely missed the ball, but managed to scramble back and block it before it crossed the line.

Sampdoria were pouring forward and deep into stoppages got their goal. Daniele Mannini whipped in a cross from the right for Pazzini's towering header, getting in front of makeshift centre-back Oddo.

Sampdoria: Storari; Zauri, Lucchini, Rossi, Ziegler; Semioli, Palombo, Poli (Tissone 79), Guberti (Mannini 67); Cassano, Pazzini

Milan: Dida; Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Gattuso, Ambrosini (Zambrotta 47); Seedorf; Mancini (Oddo 60), Borriello, Ronaldinho

Ref: Rizzoli

Sent off: Bonera 58 (M)

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: AC Milan 2:2 Catania - match report
11.4 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Maxi Lopez 12 (C), Ricchiuti 43 (C), Borriello 48, 80 (M)

Milan fought back from 2-0 down with a Marco Borriello brace, but it's not enough to stop them effectively dropping out of the title battle.

The Rossoneri insisted they were still in the Scudetto race, but needed to take advantage of Inter's slip-up at Fiorentina last night. They welcomed a Catania side full of enthusiasm after giant-killing sprees against Inter, Juventus, Fiorentina and Palermo. Jorge Martinez, Augustyn, Cristian Llama and the suspended Silvestre didn't make the trip. Milan missed David Beckham, Alessandro Nesta, Alexandre Pato, Daniele Bonera and Marek Jankulovski.

Straight away Ronaldinho scuffed a volley off target, but it was Catania who took a shock lead at San Siro.

Adrian Ricchiuti threaded through to release Maxi Lopez and the snooker shot was not particularly powerful, but precise enough to slide across Nelson Dida and into the far bottom corner.

Catania continued to pour on the pressure and Terlizzi blasted a corner over the bar from six yards.

A free kick was touched on for Clarence Seedorf to sting Mariano Andujar's palms. The goalkeeper timed his intervention perfectly to pluck Dinho's cross off the head of Marco Borriello.

Ronaldinho was furious when the referee awarded a free kick against him, as Alvarez had seemed to push the Brazilian over in the box.

Borriello had a good chance, forcing Andujar into a save at his feet from Ronaldinho's cross.

However, it was Catania who went 2-0 up with a classic counter-attack! Maxi Lopez got to the byline and chipped up a cross for Ricchiuti's free header from six yards. Ricchiuti had also started the move and spread the play for Lopez, but nobody was marking him.

Ignazio Abate's angled drive was deflected out for a corner, but Milan's finishing remained horribly disappointing.

The Rossoneri got themselves back into the game after the restart. Seedorf knocked down Andrea Pirlo's cross for Borriello's header from six yards.

Borriello wanted a penalty because he was trying to turn in the box, but Giuseppe Mascara was holding on to his wrist. Mathieu Flamini replaced the injured Giuseppe Favalli, so Massimo Ambrosini had to improvise as a centre-back.

Dida palmed a Mascara free kick over the bar. Leonardo threw on Pippo Inzaghi and Amantino Mancini.

Borriello completed the comeback from 2-0 down with 10 minutes to go. He chested down Abate's cross from the right and thumped the right-foot finish past Andujar from eight yards with Inzaghi getting out of the way.

Catania nearly restored their lead following a series of howlers from Dida and Ambrosini, but the goalkeeper was able to capture the ball before Maxi Lopez could make the most of it.

The final minutes were simply a siege on Andujar's goal. Inzaghi got round the back of Nicolas Spolli to reach Pirlo's ball over the top, but stumbled and fired at Andujar's legs.

Another Inzaghi chest and volley was smothered on the ground.

Milan: Dida; Abate, Thiago Silva, Favalli (Flamini 63), Antonini; Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf (Mancini 74); Ronaldinho, Borriello, Huntelaar (Inzaghi 74)

Catania: Andujar; Alvarez, Spolli, Terlizzi, Capuano; Ricchiuti (Delvecchio 72), Carboni (Ledesma 61), Biagianti; Izco (Potenza 83), Lopez, Mascara

Ref: Orsato

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: Cagliari 2:3 AC Milan - match report
3.4 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Borriello 7 (M), Ragatzu 17 (C), Huntelaar 19 (M), Matri 32 (C), Astori og 37 (M)

Milan earned the points in a spectacular five-goal thriller, but Cagliari can feel they deserved more after going down to an unlucky own goal.

This was the Rossoneri's last chance to stay in the Scudetto race after picking up just six points from the last five games. The absentee list included Christian Abbiati, Alexandre Pato, David Beckham, Alessandro Nesta, Pippo Inzaghi, Amantino Mancini, Marek Jankulovski and the suspended Mathieu Flamini. Cagliari hadn't won since February 21 and had striker Nene' out on a ban. Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo returned from their bans to bolster Milan.

The Rossoneri took the lead with their first real opportunity. Clarence Seedorf flicked on a through ball with the outside of his boot for Marco Borriello to run in and strike at the near post.

It was almost 2-0 when Seedorf's backheel set up Luca Antonini for a close-range finish on the side-netting.

However, Cagliari equalised in a chaotic move. Milan seemed to assume play had been stopped when Daniele Conti fell under a Giuseppe Favalli challenge, but youth team player Daniele Ragatzu kept his cool to fire in from nine yards with a rising strike.

The situation lasted barely 120 seconds, as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored a fantastic goal to restore Milan's advantage. He was a good 30 metres away when he unleashed a screamer of a left-foot strike under the bar!

Ronaldinho combined brilliantly with Borriello on the counter and the Italian's left-foot volley was just over the bar.

It proved costly, as Pirlo lost the ball in midfield to spark a counter and Andrea Cossu rolled across for an unmarked Alessandro Matri to stroke in with the inside of his right foot.

Milan restored their lead with a bizarre own goal. Ignazio Abate's cross was punched away by Federico Marchetti, but only on to the knee of teammate Astori and it ricocheted back into the net.

Borriello hit a weak effort straight at the goalkeeper and on the counter Cossu wanted a penalty when he was crowded out by Pirlo and Giuseppe Favalli.

After the restart Ragatzu's chip skimmed the frame of the goal. On 58 minutes Ragatzu ran rings around Favalli for his shot to come off Nelson Dida's ankle, then the follow-up from Cossu was charged down by Antonini from point-blank range.

Marchetti captured a Ronaldinho free kick and Dida flew to palm away Matri's strike, but it was all Cagliari in the closing stages.

On 84 minutes Dida required a stunning double reaction save to deny Joaquin Larrivey's bullet header and the follow-up.

In stoppages Zambrotta got himself in the way to deflect Matri's header off target at the back post.

Cagliari: Marchetti; Pisano, Canini, Astori, Agostini; Biondini (Larrivey 83), Conti, Lazzari (Dessena 63); Cossu; Matri, Ragatzu (Jeda 73)

Milan: Dida; Abate, Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini; Seedorf, Pirlo (Gattuso 73), Ambrosini; Huntelaar (Zambrotta 60), Borriello, Ronaldinho

Ref: Brighi

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: AC Milan 1:1 Lazio - match report
28.3 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Borriello pen 18 (M), Lichtsteiner 33 (L)

Milan have once again wasted the chance to close on Inter, as Marco Borriello's penalty only earned a 1-1 with Lazio.

The Rossoneri knew a win would put them within a point of leaders Inter after last night's result in Rome, but were themselves coming off a 1-1 with Napoli and midweek 1-0 defeat in Parma. There was also a decimated squad with Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo suspended, joining the injured Alexandre Pato, Alessandro Nesta, David Beckham, Christian Abbiati, Amantino Mancini and Oguchi Onyewu. Lazio had won two on the bounce and stuck with Mauro Zarate alongside Tommaso Rocchi.

Lazio famously have a terrible record in this stadium and haven't won here in Serie A since September 3 1989.

In the opening 120 seconds there was a great chance for Milan when Marco Borriello set up Ignazio Abate for a shot that was straight at Nando Muslera.

Clarence Seedorf played in a trequartista role and drilled just wide of the near post, but Zarate also threatened with a volley on to the side-netting.

On 16 minutes there was a fine team move which concluded with Seedorf's rocket palmed out of the far top corner by Muslera.

As the move continued, Mathieu Flamini was tripped by Aleksandar Kolarov, who stood in the Frenchman's way with his leg outstretched. The referee awarded a penalty and, despite Muslera getting a hand to it, Marco Borriello put the spot-kick in the back of the net.

Dida took the sting out of a Stefano Mauri piledriver, but Lazio did equalise soon after.

Luca Antonini tried to clear a long ball over the defence, but it just struck the Lazio players from point-blank range and Stephen Lichtsteiner was alert to prod it in from six yards.

Dida nearly gifted Lazio a second, as he flapped wildly at a corner to put it on to the feet of Andre Dias, but was able to grab it at the second attempt.

Zarate skipped round Gianluca Zambrotta and Massimo Ambrosini down the left channel to fire straight at Dida. Soon after Mauri's through ball released Rocchi, but ex-Lazio legend Giuseppe Favalli's diving tackle did just enough to send him wide and Kolarov blasted the follow-up over.

After the break Borriello hit an angled drive at Muslera, but Luca Antonini wasted a wonderful scoring opportunity. He burst forward by riding two challenges and was clear on goal, but smashed his shot on to the underside of the bar from the edge of the box.

Seedorf blasted over, then Inzaghi ran on to an Antonini cross-field pass and pulled it back for Borriello, who was unable to keep his shot down on the turn.

Lazio should've been 2-1 up on 69 minutes, as a free kick was whipped to the back post for the unmarked Andre Dias who incredibly volleyed over from seven yards.

Ambrosini's header was wide of the back post from a corner. Ambro's run down the left channel prompted timid penalty appeals when his cross was charged down by Lichtsteiner's arm, but the two players were only inches away.

Kolarov's defensive header towards Muslera was intercepted by Abate, but he spun round too quickly from seven yards to lash it over the bar and the chance went begging.

Milan: Dida; Zambrotta (Jankulovski 77), Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini; Abate, Ambrosini, Flamini; Seedorf; Borriello, Inzaghi (Zigoni 77)

Lazio: Muslera; Dias, Stendardo, Radu; Lichtsteiner (Biava 88), Brocchi, Ledesma, Mauri, Kolarov; Zarate (Foggia 83), Rocchi (Cruz 56)

Ref: Tagliavento

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: Parma 1:0 AC Milan - match report
24.3 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorer: Bojinov 89 (P)

Valeri Bojinov gave a potentially fatal blow to Milan's Scudetto ambitions at the end of an awful performance that also saw Andrea Pirlo sent off.

The Rossoneri wasted the opportunity to take the leadership with last week's 1-1 home draw with Napoli, but remained only a point behind. Alexandre Pato limped off in that game, joining David Beckham, Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze and Daniele Bonera, but Marco Borriello returned in a Christmas Tree formation. Parma were back on track after notching up nine games without a win, but missed Blerim Dzemaili and Milan-owned Alberto Paloschi.

Milan were unbeaten here since 2003, stringing together three wins and two draws. However, Parma had a great chance in the opening 15 seconds! A long ball bounced for Hernan Crespo to hit the half-volley on to the crossbar.

Clarence Seedorf just failed to get on the end of Ronaldinho's slide-rule pass, while Mathieu Flamini blasted over from the edge of the box.

Daniele Galloppa fired his daisy-cutter wide from distance and Christian Abbiati comfortably dealt with Stefano Morrone's snapshot.

On the stroke of half-time Alessandro Lucarelli rose to nod a corner kick into the arms of the Milan goalkeeper.

Ronaldinho curled just over the bar from the D and another effort was smothered from much the same position.

Pippo Inzaghi replaced Borriello and immediately caused panic in the Parma penalty area when running on to a Ronaldingo through ball, but Antonio Mirante rushed out to smother at his feet.

A brawl broke out on 77 minutes with a mass argument on the touchline between the two teams, earning yellow cards for Ronaldinho and Morrone.

Inzaghi's header was straight at Mirante with a ball over the top, but it was Parma who pounced with a last-gasp goal at the Tardini.

Abbiati's awful clearance was put back in, he was at full stretch to parry Morrone's angled drive, but only into the path of Valeri Bojinov from point-blank range.

To make matters worse, Andrea Pirlo was sent off in stoppages for a reaction foul.

Parma: Mirante; Zambrotta (Abate 59), Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini; Gattuso (Huntelaar 74), Pirlo, Flamini; Seedorf, Ronaldinho; Borriello (Inzaghi 65)

Milan: Abbiati; Zenoni, Paci, Zaccardo, Lucarelli; Valiani, Morrone, Galloppa; Jimenez (Antontelli 85); Crespo (Bojinov 74), Biabiany

Ref: Morganti

Sent off: Pirlo 91 (M)

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Serie A: AC Milan 1:1 Napoli - match report
21.3 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Campagnaro 13 (N), Inzaghi 26 (M)

Milan do not take the leadership after Hugo Campagnaro pounced on a howler to earn a 1-1 at San Siro.

Considering how badly the season was going only a few weeks ago, it's remarkable that a win here would put the Rossoneri top of the table after Inter's 1-1 draw at Palermo last night. Napoli had been in the top four, but now stuttered after two consecutive defeats and not a single victory in seven rounds.

The season is over for David Beckham, Oguchi Onyewu and most likely Alessandro Nesta, who were joined on the treatment table by Massimo Ambrosini and Daniele Bonera. Alexandre Pato returned with Pippo Inzaghi and birthday boy Ronaldinho. The visitors were without Salvatore Aronica, Andrea Dossena and Fabiano Santacroce.

Thiago Silva's angled drive was deflected to flash across the face of goal and Gianluca Grava intercepted Ronaldinho's ball for Inzaghi, but it was Napoli who pounced on an extraordinary howler!

Ezequiel Lavezzi sprung the offside trap to pull back into the centre for Hugo Campagnaro. Christian Abbiati would've got to it, but Massimo Oddo clattered into his goalkeeper to leave a completely empty net!

Milan also lost Pato to yet another injury, making way for Amantino Mancini. It was nearly 2-0, as Mathieu Flamini performed a crucial tackle on Fabio Quagliarella when clear on goal and Abbiati smothered the follow-up.

Napoli were now extremely dangerous on the counter-attack. Lavezzi zipped forward to exchange passes with Christian Maggio, his volley palmed round the base of the near post.

Milan equalised with the veteran Inzaghi in his rare start. A throw-in allowed Ronaldinho to sweep a perfect cross to the back post for Inzaghi's free header, as he had squirmed free from his marker.

Quagliarella got in front of Oddo to nod a Walter Gargano free kick inches wide of the near post, as Abbiati was rooted to the spot. Marek Hamsik and Quagliarella had audacious efforts from distance. Ronaldinho exchanged passes with Oddo for a dipping shot that did not surprise Morgan De Sanctis.

Abbiati flapped meekly at a cross, but was fortunate Leandro Rinaudo could not take advantage of it, partly thanks to Andrea Pirlo on the line to clear.

After the restart Mancini's weak effort failed to trouble De Sanctis, but there was a golden opportunity for Seedorf. His cross-shot flashed all the way across the face of goal, only grazing the legs of both Mancini and Inzaghi!

Ronaldinho's brilliant footwork down the left set up Inzaghi for a toe-poke that De Sanctis beat away with his trailing leg from a couple of yards.

This game was absolutely wide open and Abbiati needed a great reaction save to fly out and smother Quagliarella's volley from point-blank range.

At the other end a very similar incident, as Seedorf threaded through for Mancini and De Sanctis came flying out to parry with his face and chest at the near post.

Campagnaro nodded a free header over, although the offside flag saved his blushes.

In the final minutes De Sanctis fumbled a Pirlo free kick and was fortunate nobody was there to tap in the rebound.

Milan: Abbiati; Oddo (Antonini 62), Thiago Silva, Favalli, Zambrotta; Flamini, Pirlo, Seedorf (Huntelaar 80); Pato (Mancini 14), Ronaldinho; Inzaghi

Napoli: De Sanctis; Grava, Cannavaro, Rinaudo, Campagnaro; Maggio (Dossena 85), Gargano, Pazienza; Hamsik (Denis 88); Lavezzi, Quagliarella (Cigarini 76)

Ref: Bergonzi

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: AC Milan 1:0 Chievo - match report
14.3 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorer: Seedorf 91 (M)

Clarence Seedorf's stoppage-time screamer beat Chievo to put Milan within a point of the leaders, but David Beckham has a potentially serious injury.

It was an odd week for the Rossoneri, who were humiliated 4-0 at Manchester United, but here had the chance to move within a point of leaders Inter. Alessandro Nesta has been ruled out for the season with a torn knee tendon, joining Alexandre Pato, Daniele Bonera, Luca Antonini and Oguchi Onyewu on the treatment table. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was shelved, so David Beckham completed the trident attack and Giuseppe Favalli stepped in at centre-back.

Chievo's Nicolas Frey was suspended with Elvis Abbruscato and Fabio Moro injured. In the opening 30 seconds Sergio Pellissier was incorrectly flagged offside when one-on-one with Christian Abbiati. Ronaldinho's deflected strike whistled wide of the near post.

Beckham got a nasty cut to his cheek when Giampiero Pinzi didn't see him coming up behind him and went to hoof the ball, scratching him with his studs.

Marco Borriello had penalty appeals for a challenge just inside the box, but he challenged Mantovani to win back the ball and then couldn't get to the Beckham pass because their legs were still entangled, so not really a foul.

Andrea Pirlo's free kick dipped over the bar and Beckham's curler was deflected for a corner.

Milan created a great chance on 24 minutes when Borriello was leaning back to get his header on Beckham's cross, forcing Stefano Sorrentino to flap it off the line with two touches.

Davide Mandelli received an inevitable booking for hauling back Borriello's jersey as he launched a counter-attack. From that free kick, Ronaldinho got it through Luciano's legs to whizz past the base of the near post.

Christian Abbiati smothered a De Paula strike, but a poor clearance at the other end landed to Ambrosini, whose shot flashed across the face of goal.

Chievo had the best chance of the game so far, as a long Pinzi cross found a towering Mantovani header at the back post that looped over Abbiati and thumped the crossbar.

The Flying Donkeys put the ball in the net on the stroke of half-time when Abbiati parried a Pinzi snapshot into the path of Yepes to tap in, but he was flagged for an extremely close offside position.

Ignazio Abate had picked up an injury just beforehand and limped off to make way for Massimo Oddo, adding to the crisis at the back.

Milan were still thoroughly uninspired and sluggish after the restart, as Ronaldinho's header was well wide.

Chievo tore their defence apart when Pellissier broke the offside trap and Abbiati came tearing out, missing the ball, but he did enough to force the striker wide and allow Thiago Silva to get back for a goalline clearance.

Borriello's shot was charged down, but on 56 minutes Ronaldinho curled a wonderful right-foot effort round the defender to crack against the far post with Sorrentino beaten.

Pippo Inzaghi replaced Gennaro Gattuso and a weak Borriello shot was smothered after more good work from Dinho, who until this stage had been anonymous.

Chievo were still in it too, as De Paula drilled just wide from 20 metres out. Pinzi had a free header from eight yards, but couldn't keep it on target in a wasted opportunity.

Luciano's volley flashed across the face of goal, then Oddo's poor clearance gave Marcolini a chance that Abbiati smothered at the near post.

Inzaghi went very close to opening the scoring, as he dribbled between two defenders and the ball got away from him when in the six-yard box under pressure from the goalkeeper.

Luciano again drilled wide after bursting through the static defence, while Simone Bentivoglio just failed to get the decisive touch on a ball across the box.

Borriello knocked the ball down for Ronaldinho, but he dragged it wide of the near post from a very promising position.

On 83 minutes Ronaldinho flicked the ball over the top for Beckham, who scuffed the shot and allowed Sorrentino to smother at his feet.

Milan kept pushing and Inzaghi got past his marker down the right channel only for the angled drive to take a deflection from a last-gasp challenge.

However, they effectively went down to 10 men, as Beckham limped heavily off the field with three minutes to go and all the substitutions completed. He seemed to pull up when twisting strangely and has a suspected left ankle problem.

Another last-ditch sliding tackle from Morero cut off Inzaghi as he was pulling the trigger after shrugging off Yepes.

It looked like they couldn't find a way through, but in stoppages Clarence Seedorf unleashed a screamer from the right side that flew across the face of goal and into the far top corner. The Dutchman smashed the right-foot strike to kickstart the Scudetto race.

Chievo desperately poured forward and Abbiati got down to block an Ariatti effort. Ronaldinho nearly got a second with a mazy run and his shot parried at the near post for a corner with practically the last kick of the game.

Milan: Abbiati; Abate (Oddo 44), Favalli, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Gattuso (Inzaghi 57), Pirlo (Seedorf 78), Ambrosini; Beckham, Borriello, Ronaldinho

Chievo: Sorrentino; Sardo, Mandelli (Morero 79), Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini (Bentivoglio 79); Pinzi; Pellissier, De Paula (Ariatti 72)

Ref: Morganti

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Champions League: Manchester United 4:0 (7:2) AC Milan - match report
10.3 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Rooney 13, 46 (MU), Park 60 (MU), Fletcher 87 (MU)

Milan are out of the Champions League after Wayne Rooney's brace sparked a comprehensive 4-0 defeat by Manchester United. Decimated by injuries, it was one-way traffic at Old Trafford and equals their worst ever Champions League loss.

The Rossoneri tried to keep their confidence up, but it was almost Mission: Impossible at Old Trafford. Unlucky to lose the first leg 3-2 on home turf, they lost Alexandre Pato and Alessandro Nesta to injury, while David Beckham was on the bench for his first trip here since his final appearance on May 3 2003. Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini got the nod with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the trident attack. Manchester welcomed back Wayne Rooney, but Wes Brown, Ryan Giggs, Anderson, John O'Shea, Michael Owen and the suspended Michael Carrick were out.

United had never lost a European home match by more than a one-goal margin. Rooney scored twice in the first leg and drilled wide in the opening minutes after Antonio Valencia dispossessed Marek Jankulovski.

Gary Neville fired over, as it was clear United wanted to get an early goal and put the tie beyond doubt. However, on eight minutes Milan went close too, as Andrea Pirlo's free kick was flicked on by Nani and Ronaldinho nodded it inches wide.

Moments later, Huntelaar's first touch let him down on a smart Thiago Silva ball over the top. Christian Abbiati palmed a swerving Nani effort round the near post when it was probably going wide anyway.

Rooney remarkably scored two headers at San Siro and he struck again at Old Trafford. Neville came down the right and placed a cross for Rooney's glancing header into the far bottom corner.

It meant Milan now needed to score three goals and that they had conceded in their last 12 European games, a new club record. Edwin Van Der Sar spilled a Pirlo strike, but Marco Borriello was unable to get on the loose ball.

Flamini's shot was charged down, but the belief had visibly drained from the Rossoneri, who couldn't raise the tempo. Darren Fletcher thumped a snapshot wide when given far too much room on the edge of the box.

Clarence Seedorf came on for the second half in place of Bonera, so Ambrosini went into centre-back. It was a risky move from Leonardo and failed immediately.

Within a minute of the restart Rooney had scored again with his 30th of the campaign, his fourth past Milan. Nani intercepted a pass in midfield and rolled it across the box for Rooney to prod past the on-rushing Abbiati into an empty net.

Ignazio Abate sprung the offside trap on a Pirlo pass, but Huntelaar turned the header well over from six yards.

Abbiati flapped a Nani cross away from the waiting Valencia, but Ji-Sung Park scored a third with an angled drive from close range after a Paul Scholes through ball. It is only the third time Milan have conceded six in a two-legged tie, the others in the 1959-60 Champions Cup against Barcelona and the 1972-73 European Super Cup with Ajax.

Beckham was introduced once the tie was long over, replacing full-back Abate. He earned a warm welcome with cheers from the fans who chanted his name and Becks seemed visibly moved. Rooney and Neville were also given an early rest, while Pippo Inzaghi came on for the ineffective Borriello.

Flamini drilled a sudden screamer from 25 metres that took a deflection off Inzaghi to trouble Van Der Sar, but the veteran goalkeeper stuck out a foot to parry.

Ronaldinho's sliding tackle on Rafael earned him a yellow card and he will be suspended for Milan's next European match, which will be in 2010-11.

Beckham's fierce volley from outside the box forced a tough save out of Van Der Sar, as it was heading under the bar. The former Juventus goalkeeper also smothered a Huntelaar effort.

Substitute Darren Gibson blasted over from Valencia's assist, but United made it 4-0 in the final minutes. A long Rafael ball over the top for Fletcher totally unmarked at the back post to nod past a stranded Abbiati. It matched Milan's worst ever result in Europe after a 4-0 at Deportivo La Coruna in 2003-04.

The Rossoneri could've had a consolation goal in stoppages, but Beckham's cross whipped past everyone, only grazing Inzaghi's knee.
Manchester United: Van Der Sar; Neville (Rafael 66), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, Scholes (Gibson 72), Park; Valencia, Nani; Rooney (Berbatov 66)

Milan: Abbiati; Abate (Beckham 64), Bonera, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski; Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Huntelaar, Borriello (Inzaghi 68), Ronaldinho

Ref: Busacca (Swi)

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Serie A: AS Roma 0:0 AC Milan - match report
6.3 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Milan dominated for long periods at the Olimpico, but were unable to make it count, as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Roma.

Third welcomed second in a head-to-head for Champions League places and the chance of keeping their Scudetto hopes alive. Gennaro Gattuso was suspended with Alexandre Pato, Clarence Seedorf and Amantino Mancini injured, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was surprisingly picked to complete the trident attack rather than David Beckham. Roma welcomed back David Pizarro and Julio Sergio, while Luca Toni was only fit for the bench and Francesco Totti missed out.

Roma were unbeaten in Serie A since October 28 and Milan had won five of their last six games. Mathieu Flamini was lucky to avoid a booking after 14 seconds for a studs-up challenge on Simone Perrotta.

Daniele De Rossi drilled wide from the edge of the box after riding two tackles, then Julio Baptista's sudden snapshot was heading into the near top corner before Christian Abbiati got his palms to it.

Marco Borriello nodded Daniele Bonera's cross wide. A corner was cleared to the D where Luca Antonini smashed it over the bar. John Arne Riise's clearance hit teammate Juan, but Roma were fortunate that no Milan players were able to pounce on the error.

On 29 minutes Borriello ran on to a Ronaldinho slide-rule pass, but horribly scuffed his shot wide when in a great position. Andrea Pirlo's cross was just beyond Huntelaar, while Nicolas Burdisso risked an own goal when he acrobatically cleared a cross over the bar from six yards.

Baptista's trap and shot was off target on the counter, but the Rossoneri were seeing more of the ball now and pushing almost all their attacks down the right flank.

After the restart Ronaldinho nutmegged Marco Cassetti and Antonini skipped a tackle to cross, but eventually Borriello was offside when his glancing header came to Julio Sergio.

Another dangerous Antonini cross went past Riise and he was fortunate Flamini was unbalanced to fire wide at the back post. Milan were dominating now, as Ronaldinho threaded through for Borriello and the shot across the face of goal was just past Huntelaar.

On 54 minutes Borriello skipped past Juan and smashed an angled drive at the near post, but Julio Sergio somehow deflected it wide off his knee. From the corner Massimo Ambrosini's header was over.

Huntelaar tried to knock it down for Borriello rather than go for goal himself and allowed Burdisso to clear from the penalty spot.

Thiago Silva held his ground to intercept a dangerous Vucinic counter and Roma introduced Luca Toni for Baptista, his first appearance since suffering a calf strain on January 23.

Toni earned a free kick just outside the box, but Riise's rocket was deflected and Abbiati anticipated Burdisso. Abbiati smothered a Perrotta snapshot from distance, as Roma now only pushed forward on the counter.

Milan had an extraordinary chance on 70 minutes. A misunderstanding between Riise and Julio Sergio let Huntelaar through, but the goalkeeper did well to backpedal and block the Dutchman's chip.

Beckham and Ignazio Abate replaced Antonini and Flamini, who both had slight muscular problems.

Roma's best opportunity saw Vucinic allowed a free header on Riise's cross from the left, which flashed past the far post with Abbiati scrambling. Thiago Silva acrobatically cleared a De Rossi cross with Toni waiting.

Pippo Inzaghi replaced Borriello and Ronaldinho nodded Beckham's cross inches past the far post.

Ambrosini was livid when he went down in the box, as he felt that he had been brought down by Rodrigo Taddei, but the referee waved play on. Replays suggest he may have trodden on his foot, then Ambrosini made the most of it.

Huntelaar should've won it for Milan at the 89th minute! Pirlo whipped in a cross to the edge of the six-yard box for Huntelaar to nod wide under pressure from Burdisso.

Deep into stoppages Riise went on the counter and thumped an absolute screamer that Abbiati palmed out from under the bar. The resulting corner had Juan nodding over.
Roma: Julio Sergio; Cassetti, Burdisso, Juan, Riise; De Rossi, Pizarro, Taddei, Perrotta, Baptista (Toni 58); Vucinic

Milan: Abbiati; Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini (Abate 71); Flamini (Beckham 71), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Huntelaar, Borriello (Inzaghi 78), Ronaldinho

Ref: Tagliavento

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: AC Milan 3:1 Atalanta - match report
28.2 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Pato 29, 40 (M), Valdes 56 (A), Borriello 62 (M)

Alexandre Pato bagged a brace for Milan's fourth consecutive victory, but he limped off with a serious thigh strain.

The Rossoneri climbed into second place, within four points of leaders Inter, with a last-gasp and barely deserved win over Fiorentina in Wednesday's rescheduled Week 17 fixture. Mathieu Flamini sat out a ban with the injured Clarence Seedorf and Luca Antonini. Atalanta were without veteran hitman Nicola Amoruso and midfielder Tiberio Guarente.

Jaime Valdes had the first chance of the game for the Orobici, flashing a left-foot shot just wide, soon followed by a similar Cristiano Doni effort.

Milan finally created a scoring opportunity after 24 minutes. A corner kick was touched on for Ronaldinho's spectacular overhead kick, but Andrea Consigli was glad it went straight at him and he was able to take the sting out of it.

Atalanta threatened on the counter when a Simone Tiribocchi cross was deflected just enough to take it past Ferreira Pinto. Milan also went on a quick reverse, but Marco Borriello's angled drive was woefully off target.

The deadlock was finally broken on the half-hour mark. Ronaldinho's inspired backheel released Massimo Ambrosini, the cross was deflected and Alexandre Pato let it bounce for a volley into the ground that went in off the post.

Consigli parried another Pato volley, while Andrea Pirlo drilled wide from a Dinho assist.

Pato doubled his tally before half-time, again with a chance created by Ronaldinho down the left. His step-overs confused the defender, he crossed for Pato at the back post and dribbled round the goalkeeper, bundling the ball over the line with the aid of a deflection.

Atalanta lost Ferreira Pinto to an injury and Doni fired just over the bar.

However, the visitors did get back into the game when Valdes won the ball back on the edge of the box and smashed a left-foot finish across Christian Abbiati.

Daniele Bonera was brought down by Tomas Manfredini for a penalty. Ronaldinho took a stuttering run-up and it was saved by Consigli, but Borriello pounced on the follow-up from six yards to hit it under the bar.

David Beckham's corner was touched on for Thiago Silva to nod on to the side-netting.

Terrible news for Milan on 78 minutes, as Pato was running without pressure when he suddenly pulled up clutching the back of his right thigh. It looks to be a serious strain and yet another muscular problem suffered by the young Brazilian this season.

Gennaro Gattuso was also booked and will be suspended for next week's big match with Roma.

Milan: Abbiati; Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini (Gattuso 66); Pato, Borriello, Ronaldinho

Atalanta: Consigli; Garics, Bianco, Manfredini, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto (Ceravolo 42), De Ascentis (Volpi 67), Padoin, Valdes; Doni; Tiribocchi

Ref: Banti

Missed penalty: Ronaldinho 61 (M)

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Serie A: Fiorentina 1:2 AC Milan - match report
24.2 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Gilardino 14 (F), Huntelaar 81 (M), Pato 92 (M)

Alexandre Pato's stoppage-time strike gave Milan an undeserved 2-1 win in Florence, especially as the Viola were denied a penalty.

This tie was snowed off on December 19 and rescheduled for February 24. The Rossoneri knew a victory would put them within four points of leaders Inter and recapture second place from Roma. The Viola had amassed just one win and a draw from their last six Serie A games.

Adrian Mutu continued his suspension for failing a drugs test, joining the injured Alessandro Gamberini and Mario Alberto Santana. Milan missed Clarence Seedorf, Amantino Mancini, Gianluca Zambrotta, Luca Antonini and Oguchi Onyewu.

A Milan corner caused problems immediately, as the defence had to clear a dangerous Andrea Pirlo strike. Seconds later Alberto Gilardino's header from a corner was smothered.

Marco Borriello's effort was deflected for another corner, as both sides came out fighting for this match. Juan Manuel Vargas thumped the side-netting and Stevan Jovetic failed to make the most of a defensive error.

Fiorentina took the lead after 14 minutes. It was an odd goal, as Vargas got to the byline and pulled back for a scuffed Jovetic shot, which turned into an accidental assist for Gilardino from five yards. He was kept in play by a Milan defender.

Sebastien Frey punched away a Ronaldinho free kick to anticipate Thiago Silva, while Abbiati plucked a Riccardo Montolivo set play off the line.

Massimo Ambrosini was suffering from muscular problems and limping heavily, which only encouraged Fiorentina to push forward even more. Alessandro Nesta was fortunate to charge down Gilardino's clear shot on goal.

Milan were struggling badly at the Stadio Franchi and Mathieu Flamini replaced the limping Ambrosini.

Flamini made the difference in another way, as his daisy-cutter from the edge of the box clipped the outside of the post on the stroke of half-time.

Fiorentina introduced Massimo Gobbi for Cesare Natali, but Alexandre Pato nearly scored with a razor-sharp cross-shot that flashed all the way across the face of goal and skimmed the far upright.

Abbiati had his gloves stung by a Vargas screamer, but Fiorentina were visibly beginning to tire.

Milan again threatened, as Marco Borriello just failed to get clean contact on another Pato cross from the right and Pirlo couldn't bundle in the follow-up. Moments later 'The Duck' was sent through only to blast over the bar.

A corner fell to Ronaldinho at the back post, but he didn't notice and was too slow to react.

Abbiati did very well to slap Marco Marchionni's cross off the foot of substitute Keirrison, after Marek Jankulovski's error at the byline.

A wayward Vargas shot turned into an assist for Marchionni at the back post, but he ballooned over. The linesman saved his blushes, as he was offside.

Abbiati got down to block a Montolivo snapshot and Leonardo threw on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in a desperate bid to create some scoring opportunities.

It worked, as 'The Hunter' exchanged passes with Ronaldinho on the edge of the box for a precise angled drive between Frey and the near post. Huntelaar had only been on the field for under five minutes, but Marco Donadel has to share some of the responsibility for giving the ball away cheaply.

Fiorentina fought back and had penalty appeals for Montolivo's slalom in the box cut short by a Thiago Silva trip, but it fell to Keirrison who forced Abbiati's incredible save from point-blank range.

Moments later Vargas unleashed a screamer from distance that appeared to get Abbiati out of position, but he twisted in the air to punch it out from the top corner with his trailing arm.

In stoppages Ignazio Abate risked scoring an own goal, which left Abbiati rather irritated.

However, at the end of a poor performance from Milan, Pato earned a shock 2-1 victory at the 92nd minute! Ronaldinho pounced on Per Kroldrup's error in the box and chipped the cross for Pato, whose shot went through Frey's legs from eight yards!

Fiorentina: Frey; De Silvestri, Kroldrup, Natali (Gobbi 46), Felipe; Montolivo, Donadel, Vargas; Marchionni, Jovetic (Zanetti 59); Gilardino (Keirrison 62)

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Bonera (Jankulovski 65); Gattuso (Huntelaar 76), Pirlo, Ambrosini (Flamini 32); Pato, Borriello, Ronaldinho

Ref: Rosetti

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.

Serie A: Bari 0:2 AC Milan - match report
21.2 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Borriello 43 (M), Pato 69 (M)

Fine volleys from Marco Borriello and Alexandre Pato revived Milan and sent Bari crashing to their first home defeat since September, while Christian Abbiati saved a penalty.

The wounded Rossoneri stepped into the San Nicola after their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United midweek, a result that prompted Leonardo to offer his resignation if President Silvio Berlusconi wasn't happy. Nelson Dida, David Beckham and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar were dropped, while Marco Borriello returned from an injury lay-off. Clarence Seedorf and Gianluca Zambrotta were sidelined.

Bari were flying high and had already taken points off Inter and Juventus here this season. Andrea Ranocchia, Alessandro Parisi, Mariano Donda, Vitalii Kutuzov, Pisano, Antonio Langella and Kamata were sidelined, but Paulo Vitor Barreto returned from suspension.

An Ignazio Abate cross from the right was flicked on for Massimo Ambrosini to fire over from the edge of the box.

Jean-Francois Gillet got down to smother an Alexandre Pato free kick, then the Brazilian's cross only glanced past Borriello's head in the centre. Abate's cross-shot floated just over the far top corner.

Bari had penalty appeals on 26 minutes for Daniele Bonera's push on Barreto, but the referee waved play on. It looked to be a pretty decent shout.

Borriello's diving header was wide of the near post from Bonera's cross, while an acrobatic Andrea Masiello clearance stopped Borriello pulling the trigger in the D.

Bari lost Riccardo Meggiorini to an injury, so he made way for Fernando Sforzini just 33 minutes in.

The home side had a great chance soon after. Abbiati came flying off his line to push Massimo Donati's slide-rule pass off the feet of Edgar Alvarez and the follow-up was wide, but the flag had already been raised at that point.

Milan also had their best opportunity. Salvatore Masiello kept Borriello in play from an Andrea Pirlo through ball and the angled drive beat Gillet, but not Leonardo Bonucci, who performed the crucial goalline clearance.

The deadlock was broken before half-time with another magnificent goal from Borriello. The striker has shown a tendency to net acrobatic efforts this season and he got away from his marker to smack a left-foot volley in at the near post from Ronaldinho's ball over the top.

In first half stoppages an Emmanuel Rivas cross-shot skimmed the bar, but he clattered into Abate during the move and required treatment.

After the break Masiello read the play very well to intercept Ronaldinho's pass, as it would've sent Borriello clear on goal. Pato drilled wide from another Dinho assist, while Donati flashed a shot across the face of goal.

Barreto earned a free kick right on the edge of the box and he took it himself for Abbiati to flap it out from under the crossbar. The corner was not cleared effectively, so three Bari players had shots charged down in quick succession.

Donati wasted a good opportunity when he hesitated in the D and lost his moment.

Moments later Milan doubled their lead. Ronaldinho skipped past a defender down the left and his cross-shot stung Gillet's palms, eventually falling to Pato's volley from 12 yards.

Borriello limped off with that calf problem still causing him pain, allowing Pippo Inzaghi some rare playing time, while Beckham replaced Gennaro Gattuso.

The game looked to be coming to an end, but Pato showed he is a striker and not a defender by mistiming his tackle on Salvatore Masiello. Barreto stepped up for the penalty, but Abbiati guessed the right corner and palmed it off the line with one strong hand.

Bari: Gillet; Belmonte, A Masiello, Bonucci, S Masiello; Alvarez, Gazzi, Donati, Rivas (Almiron 62); Meggiorini (Sforzini 33), Barreto

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Bonera (Jankulovski 68); Gattuso (Beckham 81), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Pato, Borriello (Inzaghi 72), Ronaldinho

Ref: Gava

Missed penalty: Barreto 89 (B)

You can watch match highlights on Free Soccer Highlights.