Celtic beat Milan 2-1: the Scots take the lead through McManus, but the Rossoneri found the equaliser with a penalty by Kaká. Near the end, at the 90th minute, McDonald find the second goal.
GLASGOW - The precedent of 1968-69 is no longer a record: after Pierino Prati, it's Kaká. The Brazilian was the second player to score for Milan at Celtic Park, doing so from the spot, and the first under Carlo Ancelotti's tenure. Kaká's goal, his first in this Champions League, did not bring a smile however. Even if it came on the Brazilian's 50th appearence in the biggest European football competition. In fact, Milan were defeated in Glasgow for the first time in their history, with a 2-1 defeat that appears undeserved and unlucky. The episodes penalise the Rossoneri, especially on the occasions the opponents scored.The fourth meeting between the two formations was marked by the heavy rain, which never ceases to fall on the city and the Scottish stadium. Under incessant rainfall it's not easy to play football, particularly against this Celtic team, who were well organized, careful, and strongly encouraged by their public. The first half is played mostly in midfield, Celtic don't give away anything, while Milan always remained very precise and focused. That's why there were very few goalscoring chances to report. The Rossoneri try with Kaká and Seedorf from long range, while Celtic try do use the dead ball situations. But the first 45 minutes ended without goals and with few emotions.
The leitmotiv of the second half seemed to be the same as that of the first. To find more dynamism in attack Ancelotti tried to insert Gourcuff, who last year played possibly his best match with the Rossoneri in Glasgow. The Frenchman took Seedorf's place.
Chances continue to be few and far between, but then came the episode that changed the match and the result. It's the 62nd minute and McManus converted a chance from a corner kick move, even though he may have touched the ball with his hand. It was unexpected goal, but which brought about Milan's reaction.
Ancelotti's squad attacked the opponent more to find the equaliser. Which came on a penalty obtained by Ambrosini. From the penalty spot Kaká did not miss and found his first goal in this Champions League, his fifth of the season. After celebrating his 200th match in a Milan shirt against Catania last weekend, scores in his 50th Champions League game. And the number 200 appears again on the European front. It was the 200th appearence for the Rossoneri in the Champions League/European Cup.
But Milan were not able to celebrate the important target obtained: near the end of the match in fact came the goal by the Australian McDonald, in a move initiated by substitute Nakamura. It's not a good moment for us. The striker scored after Dida failed to hold on to an earlier shot. It was the Brazilian goalkeeper who was the protagonist in the final episode. After conceding the goal, Dida found himself face to face with a Scottish fan, who came on the pitch against the rules, touched the keeper on his face, forcing him to leave the pitch. Kalac came in his place.
In any case, following the match Milan announce that, as European Champions, they will not be appealing against Uefa after this episode. All the Milan group are interested in is getting past this difficult moment. Together.
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