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Milan ended their winning streak after going 0-0 against Cagliari.  Milan looked strong at the start with Pato and Seedorf attacking upfront but an excellent tackle on Pato and wide shot from Seedorf saved Cagliari.

Kaka again was the best player for Milan finding Pato and Ambrosini in the first half but both were not able to find the back of the net.

Pato had a few chances to put Milan in front but it was just not Milan’s day.  This was indicative when Ambrosini’s header brushed the post.

Milan end the day with a point.

Ronaldinho scored with a header off a perfect setup from Kaka in the 36th minute and AC Milan ruined Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho’s first Serie A derby with a 1-0 win Sunday.

Inter was reduced to 10 men in the 77th when defender Nicolas Burdisso picked up his second yellow card for a sliding tackle on Kaka.

“I was hoping to score a goal,” Ronaldinho said. “This is for the fans who made me feel at home. Every day I feel more at home here at Milan.”

After opening the season with two losses, Milan has now won three straight.

“I think we’re healed. Things weren’t going well but we’ve managed to straighten it out,” Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “The fact that we didn’t get scored on tonight is almost more important than the win because until now we had let in goals in every game. Now we have to continue like this to cancel the bad start.”

Milan moved to nine points with the win, one behind Inter. After five games, Lazio tops the standings with 12 points followed by Napoli with 11.

After sitting on the bench for most of Milan’s opening four games, Ronaldinho got a starting nod alongside Kaka and Alexandre Pato in an all-Brazilian attack that frustrated Inter’s defense for much of the game. Kaka often drew tough challenges from Inter’s defenders, which resulted in four yellow cards. Nicolas Burdisso was sent off with 15 lefts after getting a second booking.

Kaka created several good chances for Ronaldinho and Pato was dangerous as he chased down long passes often a step in front of the Inter defenders.

Ronaldinho, the former FIFA player of the year was in form from the start, putting a precise shot on goal in the 25th that Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar punched away by the post.

Three minutes later, Kaka advanced the ball behind Inter’s defense and crossed a high ball into the area that Ronaldinho rose to meet with a header that landed in the corner of the goal.

“He’s not in top form but what he shows me in training isn’t the same as in a match where the pace is quicker,” Ancelotti said of Ronaldinho. “He’s an atypical player. We’ve got to adapt to his characteristics a bit but today he was decisive.”

Inter started with Zlatan Ibrahimovic flanked by Amantino Mancini and Ricardo Quaresma in attack, then removed Mancini and defender Marco Materazzi in the 59th to put on two more forwards — Adriano and Julio Ricardo Cruz.

In the 71st, Cruz and Ibrahimovic each missed shots wide from outside the area within a few seconds of each other. Dejan Stankovic also came on for Inter and missed a chance in the 81st.

A minute later, Materazzi was shown a red card while sitting on Inter’s bench, apparently for protests.

“We weren’t afraid and for that I’m happy. I put Cruz on because I’m not afraid of losing. If I don’t like the score, I put forwards on,” Mourinho said. “The players worked hard and did everything they were supposed to. It was a real derby, but it’s just one game that we’ve lost in this marathon of a season.”

Milan and Inter played their first derby 100 years ago, and the matchup has become one of Serie A’s most bitter rivalries. Sunday’s game, played in front of a sellout crowd of almost 80,000 at the San Siro, was the first derby for Mourinho.

Mourinho and Ancelotti had meet only once before, when Andriy Shevchenko scored to give Milan a 1-0 win over Mourinho’s FC Porto in the 2003 European Super Cup. Shevchenko, who returned to Milan this season after an unsuccessful stint with Chelsea, came on for the last 10 minutes Sunday and had a hard shot on goal that Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar knocked away.

Milan striker Alexandre Pato is determined on beating Inter in the Derby Della Madonnina on Sunday night and he cannot wait to get started.

The Rossoneri host Jose Mourinho’s side this weekend and belief at Milanello of winning maximum points is high.

Pato is looking forward to helping his side win but he admits he still has a lot to learn despite being impressive this term.

“If I win the derby, I will buy an island all to myself,” the striker told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

“I am really looking forward to the derby. It fascinates me but winning isn’t just down to me, the whole team has to perform.

“Inter have many great players like Maicon and Ibrahimovic and it wouldn’t make a difference if those players didn’t play against us as they have a very strong squad.”

The ‘Duck’ also spoke about his own development as a footballer and he insists he has to improve further.

“Ancelotti is right, I can give much more to the team,” added Pato.

“I need to go into deeper areas when attacking and the coach is right when he says I can do better.”

The Rossoneri had a shaky start to the season but they seem to be on the right track following back to back wins against Lazio and Reggina. Pato and co will be hoping to make it thre out of three against Inter.

(Goal)

Milan striker Alexandre Pato is urging fans to turn up in numbers for the derby against Inter this weekend and he is confident in his team’s chances of success against the Nerazzurri.

The Rossoneri have seen a return to form over the last week or so picking up three wins on the bounce against Zurich in the UEFA Cup as well as Lazio and Reggina in Serie A.

Pato was influential in all those games and he is hoping for more of the same against the league leaders.

“I am really happy for the goals I have scored in our recent matches but even more happy that we managed to win away from home,” Pato told Milan News.

“The three points are good for us in terms of the league standings and for morale. Now we are waiting for our fans to come and support us on Sunday for the game against Inter.

“I am looking forward to the derby. When I get on the pitch I always look to do what the coach asks me to in the dressing rooms.”

The Rossoneri will be hoping to end Inter’s unbeaten run this season when they host the Nerazzurri on Sunday night.

(Goal)

Alexandre Pato was the hero for Milan, scoring a 73rd minute winner as the Rossoneri made it two Serie A wins on the spin with a 2-1 victory over Reggina in Calabria.

Reggina came into this game with just one point to their name in Serie A and, after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Roma, were second-from-bottom in the table. The Amaranti had a number of injuries to deal with as Francesco Cozza, Antonio Giosa, Emmanuel Cascione and Carlos Valdez were all unavailable. Nevio Orlandi employed a cautious 3-5-1-1 formation with Franco Brienza supporting lone frontman Bernardo Corradi.

Milan were looking to make it two wins on the bounce in the league after they had finally broken their duck on Sunday evening by thrashing Lazio 4-1. Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo. Philippe Senderos, Tabare Viudez and Pippo Inzaghi all sat out the game. Marco Borriello kept his place up-front alongside Alexandre Pato, supported by Kaka. Paolo Maldini and Massimo Ambrosini were both rested, while Mathieu Flamini returned.

First Half

Milan made a bright start, and Kaka had the first attempt of the game in the fifth minute as he cut in from the left, but dragged the ball wide from 25 yards.

Reggina responded with a Carlos Carmona effort, a daisycutter of a free kick from long distance which was smothered by Christian Abbiati.

The home side started to threaten more and more. A cross from the left into the area almost found Corradi’s head, while on 17 minutes Brienza rattled in a shot from the edge of the area that finished only a yard wide of the post.

Milan were struggling to create anything, but on their first chance of the match on 23 minutes they took the lead. Clarence Seedorf whipped in a free kick from the right, and Borriello lost his man to bullet in a header past Andrea Campagnolo.

This boosted the Rossoneri’s confidence, and on the half-hour mark they should have been two-up. Kaka burst past two men, allowing Borriello a clean run on goal, but he was denied by Campagnolo as he tried to round the goalkeeper.

Milan were now on top, but on 38 minutes they could have conceded an equaliser as Daniele Bonera defended a cross terribly, allowing Corradi a good chance at the back post, but Abbiati came to the rescue by closing down the veteran striker. Santos also fired well wide from long range.

Both sides then had two long range efforts in quick succession. First Seedorf tested Campagnolo, before Emil Hallfredsson tried his luck from 30 yards with a powerful left footed shot that Abbiati collected at the second attempt.

Second Half

Into the second half, and Reggina had the first attempt as Hallfredsson unleashed another pumping long range shot that finished well over.

Flamini, who had committed numerous fouls in the first half, and had already been booked, made another very late tackle on 55 minutes, and was extremely lucky to stay on the pitch.

Soon after Abbiati came to the rescue for Milan again with a fine fingertip save from Corradi’s header, even if the ball may have been going wide.

Borriello was then forced off with injury and was replaced by Andriy Shevchenko, but just seconds after coming on Reggina equalised. A free kick from the right was headed down by Santos, and Corradi turned the ball in from close range.

Reggina now came forward looking for another goal, and on 66 minutes Costa cut in from the left and forced out a low save for Abbiati.

Milan were struggling to create anything. Shevchenko charged down a clearance and watched it go wide, while Pato went on a wonderful run but shot straight at Campagnolo from 20 yards.

However, on 73 minutes the Rossoneri did go back ahead. Kaka was the architecht with a run down the right, and cut-back for Pato, who finished clinically past Campagnolo into the bottom corner, although the ‘keeper got a touch.

After scoring, Milan just looked to slow the tempo and play on the counter-attack. Zambrotta smashed a shot over, while down the other end Barreto fired a free kick into the wall.

There was a nervous moment for Milan in the 89th minute when Reggina substitute Fabio Ceravolo fired into the side-netting from a promising position.

Seedorf could have made it three in injury time, from Pato’s pass, but with just Campagnolo to beat, he shot wide of the far post with the outside of his boot. It didn’t matter as Milan held on to win, their second Serie A victory on the bounce.

Teams

Reggina: Campagnolo, Lanzaro, Cirillo, Santos (Alvarez 89), Vigiani (Ceravolo 77), Barreto, Carmona, Hallfredsson, Costa (Barilla 80), Brienza, Corradi

Milan: Abbiati, Zambrotta, Bonera, Kaladze, Favalli, Seedorf, Gattuso, Flamini (Ambrosini 60), Kaka, Pato (Emerson 84), Borriello (Shevchenko 58)

Goals : Borriello 23 (M), Corradi 59 (R), Pato 73 (M)

(Goal)

Milan came into this game knowing that they simply had to win otherwise they would fall six points or more behind Scudetto rivals Inter and Juventus. The Rossoneri, who were on zero points, were without the injured Alessandro Nesta, Pippo Inzaghi, Tabare Viudez, Andrea Pirlo, and Philippe Senderos. Coach Carlo Ancelotti employed a 4-1-3-2 formation with Kaha supporting front pairing Alexandre Pato and Marco Borriello. Rino Gattuso returned in midfield following his recent injury layoff.

Visitors Lazio had been top-of-the-table, with six points out of six, until they were overtaken by Inter and Juve this afternoon. The Biancocelesti also had a few injuries, with Fabio Firmani, Simone Del Nero, Tommaso Rocchi and Ousmane Dabo sidelined. Coach Delio Rossi made just one change to the team who beat Sampdoria 2-0 with Matuzalem coming in for Mourad Meghni in midfield.

First Half

Lazio had a penalty shout within the first 20 seconds as Stefano Mauri went down under pressure from Gianluca Zambrotta, following a weak back pass by the latter, but the referee waved away the appeals. It was a fiery start and down the other end Massimo Ambrosini failed to get enough onto his header at the back post from Clarence Seedorf’s cross.

On five minutes Milan put together a neat team move and Kaka crossed low for Borriello’s flick-through-the-legs, but Juan Pablo Carrizo was well placed.

This was a warning of things to come as 90 seconds later Milan were ahead. There was a bit of luck involved as Seedorf tried to play a one-two on the edge of the area, and his pass rebounded off Cristian Ledesma to put him through on goal. The Dutchman’s finish was emphatic as he thumped the ball past Carrizo and into the roof of the net.

Lazio tried to hit back and Goran Pandev got away from Kakha Kaladze, but Paolo Maldini made a crucial block on Mauro Zarate’s snap-shot inside the area. Mauri then tested Abbiati from 25 yards as Lazio started to work their way into the game.

The capital side were looking more and more threatening, and on 25 minutes they silenced the San Siro with an equaliser.  Inevitably it was Zarate who got the goal, as he beat the offside the trap on Pandev’s pass and rifled home a clinical left footed finish past Abbiati.

It was an entertaining game and Milan immediately threatened to regain their lead as Pato cut inside his man from the right, and brought out a smart stop from Carrizo. Kaka then floated an inviting ball to the back post, and Borriello was close to getting his head to the ball.

Kaka burst into life on 31 minutes with a superb solo run past a number of defenders, but he couldn’t find the finish and sliced the ball wide from the left angle.

A few minutes later Milan were back ahead courtesy of a contender for goal of the season. Zambrotta bombed forward and let fly from way out on the right, at least 35 yards, and the ball arrowed into the far top corner like a ballistic missile. It was a simply incredible strike from the Italy international.

Milan now went looking for the third, and on 40 minutes Kaka exchanged passed with Borriello before thrashing the ball a couple of feet over from the edge of the area.

Lazio had been quiet ever since Zarate’s temporary equaliser, with Aleksandar Kolarov’s two off-target free kicks the away side’s only two remaining efforts as Milan went into the break 2-1 ahead.

Second Half

Into the second half and Lazio started strongly. Mauri was almost through on goal immediately, but he miscontrolled the ball and the danger passed. Zarate then curled a free kick over the bar.

However, it was Milan who extended their lead on 49 minutes. Jankulovski crossed from the left, and Pato darted in front of Rozenhal at the near post to head home.

Lazio refused to get downhearted, and Mauri asked for a penalty after clashing with Zambrotta in the box, but again the referee didn’t want to know.

On 56 minutes Milan put together a fantastic move, and Kaka curled a beautiful effort towards the far post, but Carrizo flew across goal to push the ball away.

Moments later Kaka did indeed get his goal, and it was well worth waiting for. The Brazilian picked the ball up 30 yards out and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Milan were now turning on the style!

The home side continued to push forward, and could have grabbed a fifth on 74 minutes as Borriello raced through on goal, but Carrizo pulled off a fine save.

Down the other end Lazio had a great chance to pull a goal back as Pandev held off Ambrosini, but Abbiati produced a smart reaction stop.

Kaka had been electrifying all night long, and he went on another slalom run, only to see his finish deflected off target. Down the other end, Foggia shot weakly at Abbiati from 25 yards, as the game moved into the final few minutes.

In injury time Milan twice went close to a fifth as substitute Ronaldinho rattled the crossbar with a deflected effort, before Borriello headed inches wide.

It had been emphatic win for Milan, who answered their critics in the prefect way, and grabbed their first three points of the Serie A season at the third attempt.

Teams

Milan: Abbiati, Zambrotta, Kaladze, Maldini, Jankulovski, Gattuso (Emerson 78), Seedorf (Flamini 63), Ambrosini, Kaka, Pato (Ronaldinho 70), Borriello

Lazio: Carrizo, Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Rozenhal, Kolarov, Matuzalem (Meghni 69), Ledesma, Brocchi (De Silvestri 78), Mauri (Foggia 62), Pandev, Zarate

(Goal)

Milan forward Alexandre Pato failed to find the net against Genoa as his side fell to its second consecutive Serie A defeat of the season as they lost 2-0 at the Marassi stadium.

The Rossoneri are incredibly without any points following the first two matchdays of the Italian top flight, something which Pato cannot understand, especially following the defeat against the Rossoblu on Sunday afternoon.

“The entire team did its best and played to win,” commented the young Brazilian who came into the game as a second half substitute.

“We did not play badly, but unfortunately we lost. Personally I tried to do my best and during the goal scoring opportunity I had, Rubinho was very lucky.”

For Pato there is only one solution to end this lacklustre moment, and that is to win the next game.

“We must do well in the next game and try to win,” he concluded.

(Goal)

Genoa 2-0 Milan

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti may face a struggle to keep hold of his job after his side fell to their second successive defeat of the new Serie A season against Genoa. Giuseppe Sculli and the returning Diego Milito grabbed the goals for the hosts at the Stadio Ferraris.

Team News

Genoa were without the services of the injured Matteo Paro, however Omar Milanetto returned from suspension. Diego Milito made his first appearance since returning to the club from Real Zaragoza, and forged a trident strikeforce with Giuseppe Sculli and Andrea Gasbarroni. Giandomenico Mesto also debuted following his summer move from Reggina but Raffaele Palladino was again only a substitute.

Milan were missing the injured Alessandro Nesta, Rino Gattuso and Pippo Inzaghi, but the big team news was the pairing of Brazilian stars Ronaldinho and Kaka in behind lone striker Andriy Shevchenko. Clarence Seedorf was only on the bench, as was Alexandre Pato, and defenders Kakha Kaladze and Marek Jankulovski. Paolo Maldini partnered Daniele Bonera at centre back.

First Half

Both teams came out looking to attack from the start, but it was Genoa who had the first two attempts of the game. First of all Sculli took advantage of an error by Giuseppe Favalli to volley a deflected shot wide. Then Gasbarroni danced around a defender and unleashed a low drive that forced Christian Abbiati into a diving save.

On 15 minutes, Mesto charged forward down the right flank and let fly with an ambitious effort, but Abbiati watched it wide.

Moments later, Kaka burst into life as he picked up the ball following a Genoa corner, and went on a length of the pitch run, before slicing the ball well wide from a narrow angle.

On 20 minutes Genoa launched a lightning fast counterattack of their own after Shevchenko gave the ball away, and it ended in Gasbarroni lashing a 20-yard shot just wide of the post.

It was end-to-end stuff, and Pirlo tested Rubinho with a long range shot, while Ronaldinho curled a free kick from the left over the bar.

Just second short of the half hour mark, the deadlock was finally broken, and it was Genoa who got the goal. A chipped ball into the area from the right was chested down by Milito to Sculli, who buried a right footed finish into the corner past Abbiati.

Having lost their opening game of the season to Bologna, Milan and coach Carlo Ancelotti were now really under pressure. Kaka tried to prompt a reaction, but his 30-yard shot was straight at Rubinho.

Genoa were not prepared to sit on their lead, and the impressive Gasbarroni curled a sweet free kick from distance past the post, even if Abbiati was never at risk.
Milan had created very little in the first half, with Shevchenko completely impotent up-front. Kaka had perhaps been the side’s brightest player and on 43 minutes he crashed a half volley over from outside the area.

However, it was Genoa who threatened to add a second before half time, as Milito twisted and turned in the area, and forced a smart stop from Abbiati.

Second Half

Ancelotti knew that changes needed to be made, and introduced both Seedorf and Marco Borriello, the latter who was making his first appearance after rejoining Milan in the summer from, ironically, Genoa. A tired Ronaldinho and the desperately disappointing Shevchenko made way.

Nevertheless it was the Rossoblu who created the first opening of the second half as Milito raced through and fired inches wide, but the Argentine was flagged offside so it wouldn’t have counted anyway.

Borriello then had his first attempt of the game as he chested the ball down in trademark fashion, but he didn’t get hold of his shot on the turn. The Italy international then had another effort charged down by Matteo Ferrari.

Milan’s fortunes were not really changing though, and as the game approached the hour mark they started to become more and more frustrated. This showed when Kaka was booked for simulation after tumbling in the penalty area.

Indeed Genoa again went close to doubling their advantage as Sculli raced onto Milanetto’s pass, and forced a fine save out of Abbiati at his near post.

Borriello then had a good chance of his own down the other end, as he found himself all alone with Rubinho, albeit at a tight angle, but the goalkeeper got his bearings right and beat away his left-footed effort.

On 64 minutes Zambrotta came to the rescue for the disjointed Milan as Gasbarroni was released on goal and lifted the ball over the onrushing Abbiati, but the Italy full back headed the ball away.

Ancelotti used his final card on 69 minutes as he threw on forward Pato for midfielder Flamini. The teenager almost made an immediate impact as he headed wide from a right wing cross.

In truth though, Milan had struggled all afternoon in breaking down the Genoa backline, with Ferrari and Domenico Criscito in excellent form.

On 80 minutes Sculli terrorised the Milan defence once again, but he couldn’t find a way past Abbiati.

Seconds later Milan had their best chance of the game as the ball broke to Pato inside the area, but from 10 yards out he was denied by a brilliant diving save from Rubinho. Borriello acrobatically hit the rebound wide.

Milan piled forward now looking for an equaliser. Ambrosini slashed over from a tight angle, while Zambrotta tested Rubinho from distance.

Understandably the Rossoneri now left gaps open at the back, and substitute Anthony Vanden Borre raced forward on the break, and thundered in a vicious shot that Abbiati beat away.

In the 90th minute things got even worse for Milan, as captain Maldini conceded a penalty for a trip on the outstanding Milito. The Argentine stepped up himself and crowned the perfect return to his old club by burying his spotkick into the roof of the net.

The final whistle sounded soon after. ‘The Prince’, Diego Milito, had well and truly returned for Genoa, whilst the leader of Milan, Carlo Ancelotti, may now struggle to keep hold of his own job.

Teams

Genoa: Rubinho; Biava, Ferrari, Criscito; Mesto (Rossi 52), Milanetto, Juric (Vanden Borre 65), Modesto; Gasbarroni (Palladino 84), Milito, Sculli

Milan: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Bonera, Maldini, Favalli; Flamini (Pato 68), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka, Ronaldinho (Seedorf 45); Shevchenko (Borriello 45)

Goals : Sculli 30 (G), Milito pen 90 (G)

(Goal)

Filippo Inzaghi picked up an injury in a friendly against Lugano and now the question remains as to who will take his place in Milan’s starting XI on Sunday at the Stadio Marassi.

Milan have not had any luck in terms of injuries so far this season, as plenty of their players’ have visited the treatment room already during the 2008/09 campaign. The latest casualty is ‘Super’ Pippo Inzaghi as he went down in the 2-0 exhibition loss to Swiss side Lugano this past week.

Inzaghi started Milan’s Serie A opener against Bologna which the Rossoneri lost 2-1 at the San Siro. Ancelotti is likely to line-up his favoured 4-3-2-1 (or ‘Christmas tree’) formation versus Genoa once again, but he must choose who will replace the Italian veteran up front as Inzaghi will likely miss the match.

The clear choice seems to be between young Alexandre Pato and Andrei Shevchenko. Pato does not seem in the best form, having been stifled in the friendly match against Lugano and barely making a contribution. Meanwhile, Shevchenko scored for the Ukraine during the World Cup qualifiers but may be too tired to play the entire match. Ancelotti is likely to watch both players carefully in training.

Another option is former Genoa hit-man Marco Borriello. The Euro 2008 call-up will be among those selected in Ancelotti’s squad for the trip to Genoa; however, he is not yet fully fit after a month out of action.

In support of whomever Ancelotti chooses, one role is guaranteed to Kaka who has recovered from injury. The other attacking midfield spot will probably go to Clarence Seedorf as Brazilian Ronaldinho will only be returning from international duty on Friday.

Genoa also got off to a losing start in Serie A, as they were defeated by Catania 1-0 in Sicily. Thus, both sides require a win to get their league campaigns back on track.

(Goal)

In a game that many saw as a chance for AC Milan to showcase the talents of their new acquisitions, Bologna came to the San Siro and played enough football to walk off the pitch with three points.

For the visitors, Terzi was impressive at the back, along with former Milan man Antolini in goal. Though their midfield was outplayed for most of the game Amoroso played well, setting up the first goal, and Valiani scored the winner.

The game had a relatively tame opening, until Bologna struck with some good work down the right side, creating an opening for Amoroso in the box, who appeared to overplay his touch, which, in turn, went perfectly to the oncoming Di Vaio who opened the scoring in the 19th minute.

Milan looked a little surprised, and to a certain extent, they probably were. They were enjoying the bulk of possession and were not seriously threatened before this moment.

Inzaghi was having the beginnings of a game he would rather forget at the other end, as Ronaldinho put him in a couple of times, including a deft chip, which had him one-on-one to beat Antolini, but he hit his shot into the side netting.

Flamini made a long-range attempt in the 39th, but it was easily saved by Antolini and the former Arsenal man did not really figure in the match after this. He will have to improve or will be surplus to requirements when Kaka and Gatusso return.

But the equaliser was to come before the break, with Ronaldinho the provider for Ambrosini to powerfully head home in the 41st minute.

After the break it looked as though Milan were going to score several goals, rather than none, as Ronaldinho did everything but pick the ball up and place it on the spot for his strikers.

Inzaghi was perhaps most guilty when he hit a free header, set up by Ronaldinho again, straight at the keeper, in perhaps the easiest chance of the match.

Shevchenko had been introduced as a striking partner for Inzaghi at the break, as Milan went to a 4-4-2 formation and he also could have benefited from the Brazilians generous passing, instead his far-post effort was well saved by the legs of Antolini.

It was the Ronnie show for the first 20 minutes of the second half, as the Brazilian attempted to manufacture the victory for his teammates who just could not convert the chances.

The referee did play a telling part in the result though, as he waved away a penalty shout for a handball by a Bologna defender, and he then pulled up Shevchenko for a push that didn’t happen when Ronaldinho was clearly in a position to put Milan ahead.

It all went horribly wrong for Milan in the 79th minute when a fortunate rebound ended up bouncing nicely for Bologna’s Valiani to half-volley a spectacular winner. It was a peach of a goal really and a real kick in the teeth for Milan who didn’t manage to recover.

In the closing minutes, the camera showed Ancelotti lighting up a cigarette as he watched his team lose a match that they could have, and should have, easily won. Maybe after this result, they will all be having a cigarette in the changing rooms as they feel the pressure a little bit more now.

Bologna’s manager Arrigoni would have been pinching himself at the final whistle, as at one stage during some particularly frenzied Milan attacks he was seen slumped against the dug-out, looking at the ground with his back to the field.

It was certainly not all doom and gloom for Milan, as perhaps the result could be put down to some poor finishing and determined if extremely lucky defending from the visitors.

I do not think Ancelotti will be too worried at the moment, as it looks as if his side will definitely play better football than they did last season. Once the combinations are properly sorted, the goals should definitely start flowing.

Ronaldinho was definitely the stand out player for Milan, fashioning the equaliser and setting up several chances that were spurned by his strikers.

Bologna take the points and make a dream return to the top flight, with Di Vaio and Terzi both important for the away side. Valiani did not really figure much in proceedings until he popped up to score the screamer that sealed the match. Antolini is also worth mentioning, as he made several telling saves.

Berlusconi was seen in the stands, smiling from ear to ear when Ronaldinho was in full flight. He looked a little annoyed in the last few minutes. I think there would have been a lot of frustration in the Milan dressing room as well, as they come to terms with a performance that had everything but the goals.

(bleacherreport)