2013-09-18: AC Milan 2-0 Celtic, European Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2013 – 2014 | 2013-14 Pictures

Trivia

• Champions League 2013-14
• Match day 1
• Other match result: Barcelona 4-0 Ajax; Celtic third in group.
• Celtic dominate and hit by sucker punch late goals.
• Referee was weak and let Milan off with too much.
• Troubling that in last three away games we've not scored once despite umpteen chances. Last season we scored plenty away in Europe.
• Next is Barca at home in the tournament.
• In court, Rangers fan who encouraged people via the net to send bombs and bullets to Neil Lennon faces prison sentence.
• Georgios Samaras (before the game): 'We don't come here with fear. We don't have that mentality'

Review

(Sweet Left Peg of KDS forum)
Considering our limitations I thought we did very well tonight.For 70 mins we were keeping
possession well without really troubling their goal–not sure if we actually had a shot on target,
and looked reasonably comfy–but that feeling that they might nick a goal was beginning to build.
Then the deflection and free-kick(still don't know if free-kick was justified)and suddenly we are 2-0
down to a rather unspectacular Milan team who dealt with every cross into their box with ease(it seemed).
The quality of our passing and crossing in their half of the field let us down.They seemed tentative and unsure of
themselves and played very conservatively, depending on their two frontmen to do the business at the other
end.Our defence handled them pretty well especially Ambrose who was extremely assured with the ball at his feet
(not so good with his head)and Van Dijk who looked comfortable for the vast majority of the game.
A draw would have been a fairer reflection although they did miss a sitter with Muntari's header.
Most of our team did well–Samaras,however,had one of his poorer Euro nights,the nice run and off-target
shot being virtually his sole contribution–Lustig was his usual dependable self,Mulgrew was steady,Brown had
some nice moments,Matthews worked hard,crossing poor.Commons lack of pace is really evident at this level,
but he remains our most subtle player.He has a sharp "football brain" and if he had pace as well as his other attributes
he wouldn't be playing for us and we certainly wouldn't have signed him for £300,000.So,disappointed at the outcome
but happy that we didn't look out of our depth .We are the fourth tier team,so anything above that would be brill.
No idea how good or otherwise Ajax are,but hopefully we can do well against them.Meanwhile bring on Barcelona.
This Champions league lark is terrific.Incidentally anyone know why their goalie was penalised with that indirect free-kick?
Still trying to work it out.

(hellas67 of KDS forum)
Couldn't believe it in the end, yes they had had the better chances in the first half, but at times it was almost as if we were the home team and they were trying to play us on the counter……

Got to agree with a lot of the comments here re: a top class striker, I like Stokes and I the skill he has but he is more of a second striker rather than a main man…who knows Pukki may become our main striker but he has only played twice, but we needed to have an out an out striker on the pitch last night.

Ambrose went on some really good runs last night from his on box to theirs and put in a solid performance as did VVD, final ball and lack of support at times cost us, but a very good performance and certainly not one that merited a defeat.

Big shout to all the Italian Celtic fans (although some of them might actually have been Inter fans) who were there last night, it was great to hear them start a chant of "Milan, Milan vaffanculo" which everyone was quick to join in with as that really pissed off the arrogant wànks…….

(Hinkels Beard of KDS forum)
That was very annoying. We just looked far less fit than Milan in the last 15/20 minutes and that, I believe, was our main undoing. Again, slightly frustrated with the use of subs far too late in the game, but that's now par for the course.

Forster – A couple of excellent saves. Maybe, just maybe, could've thrown himself at the Izzy deflection, but his momentum looked to be heading the opposite way.

Lustig – Another fantastic performance from him. He's a cracking player.
Ambrose – Played very well last night. Made some really good 'Mad-Carrot-Efe' runs that, despite giving me palpitations, opened the game up. Looks like he's getting a good partnership with…
Van Dijk – Man of the match for me. Stopped almost everything that came near him and was the only player following the ball for their second goal.
Izzy – Unlucky to be at fault for the first goal. Had a decent enough game despite of that.

Matthews – the great white hope for our team. Another fantastic shift and Milan were feart of him. His final ball was a little lacking but he's easily preferred at the right wing to Forrest.
Brown – Drove the team from midfield, didn't shy from tackles and handled Balotelli well. Not sure he was to blame for their free-kick, going by some reports.
Mulgrew – A solid performance from Chico in midfield. Him and Brown are building a decent partnership there (albeit for 2-3 games with Scotland). Kept it simple and, when he does this, as he did when he was playing CB, he does it well.
Samaras – Not his finest hour. Looked like he was having 'one of those nights'. Looked disinterested in the second half and was completely done in by about 70 minutes.

Commons – Played well for the most part. His first touch isn't the best at times and that allowed Milan, on a couple of occasions, to close him down. Wish he'd have a pop with his right foot more often.

Stokes – Was unlucky from the free-kick that hit the bar and when he totally roasted Zapata. Played really well but wasn't helped when we just lumped balls up to him.

Boerrigter – Played on the wrong side of the park and didn't really get involved. For some reason the midfield seemed to avoid passing him the ball and fancied it out to the left more.
Pukki – Couldn't really have much effect, sadly. I reckon he'll be a similar player to Stokes.
Biton – He's a tall lad, isn't he? Can't really say much more than that.

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Stats

Match Stats
AC Milan Celtic
Possession
47% 53%
90mins

Shots
23 12

On target
13 4

Corners
6 9

Fouls
7 16

Articles

AC Milan 2 – 0 Celtic: Late double sinks Hoops

The Scotsman

by ANDREW SMITH AT SAN SIRO

Published on the 18 September
2013

WE HAVE been here before. All too many times. Celtic played with courage and command in the San Siro last night.

Scorers: Izaguirre (og) 82, Muntari 85

Referee: W Stark (Germany)

Attendance: 43,000

For 81 minutes it appeared they had played with enough conviction to earn a point from their opening Group H Champions League encounter.

Indeed, at that point,a winner did not look beyond their reach with Anthony Stokes having just curled a free-kick on to the crossbar.

Then cruel fortune intervened. Cristian Zapata fired in an effort from the edge of the box that was going away from goal until it struck the boot of Emilio Izaguirre and beat the helpless Fraser Forster.

Four minutes later the jib was well and truly up for Neil Lennon’s side when Forster clawed out a Mario Balotelli free-kick only to send it into the path of Sulley Muntari, who forced the ball in from ten yards.

The denouement was ill-deserved with Celtic proving a match for an injury-depleted and recently diminished Milan for more than an hour. In the one measure that truly counts, though, they were ultimately found wanting and their group excursion could prove an exhausting experience with Barcelona and Ajax lying in wait.

Lennon’s team selection and tactics could not be faulted, however. His pre-match coyness over Stokes’ potential inclusion did not prove a harbinger of doom for the striker, whose starting role represented his first-ever taste of the Champions League. A deserved reward for his stirring form this season, the 25-year-old spearheaded a selection that was more cautious than anticipated.

Along with Stokes’ striking rival Teemu Pukki, Derk Boerrigter started on the bench – they both appeared late on – in order that Adam Matthews could be accommodated on the right of midfield. Considering that, ahead of last night’s encounter, Celtic had the grand total of one win and one draw from 24 away assignments in the competition proper, Lennon’s bolstering of his midfield was not only understandable, but probably advisable.

In term of the wholly ill-advised, that dishonour goes to Celtic supporters in the San Siro who set alight a flare just before kick-off – only a week after being fined for letting off fireworks in the Champions League qualifier against Cliftonville.

The smoke would have caused eyes to water and so would the ropey moments their side initially endured.

With Alessandro Matri looking in the mood to cause damage in his Champions League debut for Milan, just as he had with two goals for Juventus against Celtic last season, the home side found space and openings to call Forster into action.

He had to beat away a Balotelli volley, block at the feet of Valter Birsa after he had been sent through by Matri, and then push away a powerful header from the £9.2million summer signing across the opening 20 minutes.

The only concern for Milan in this period came from a curious episode in the 15th minute. A sweeping Celtic move down the right ended with Brown poking the ball towards keeper Christian Abbiati under pressure from Zapata. When Abbiati picked the ball up, erratic referee Wolfgang Stark signalled for a passback. The award, eight yards from goal, was a gift from which Celtic couldn’t make full capital. Milan massed their ranks on the goalline, and when Kris Commons touched the ball to Mulgrew, Kevin Constant charged forward to blocked the Scotland midfielder’s battered effort.

Pretty soon, though, the forward charge was all being provided by Lennon’s men. They courageously worked their way into the confrontation by easing their way out of tight spots with smart, intelligent possession retention, a fluidity emboldening their play that caused Massimilliano Allegri’s side to begin to look ragged. Brown was the orchestrator with interventions that were by turns towering and tenacious, ably assisted by Charlie Mulgrew. The Celtic captain really has taken his game to another level this season as previous ailments appear to have been alleviated.

By the close of the first period Celtic had impressively claimed more time on the ball than they hosts, the audible grumblings of the home support who have watched their side faltering in Serie A a reflection of the wicked momentum shift in the tie. By half-time Celtic might have also nicked themselves a goal.

Birsa proved wholly careless with a passback and in so doing allowed Stokes a run in on his opponents’ penalty box.

But after turning Zapata inside out, the striker’s delay in shooting allowed the Milan player to block his angled shot from six yards.

The second half began with the teams trading scoring opportunities as if slugging in search of the knockout punch. Samaras might have delivered it when he burst past three men and unleased a 25-yeard drive that narrowly drifted the wrong side of the upright. Muntari should have provided it, only for him to get his head under and send over a cross from the left by Zapata with the goal at his mercy.

But those two Milan men were to provide the lethal combination that sent Celtic to the canvas in a continental ring once again.

AC Milan: (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Zaccardo, Zapata, Mexes, Constant (Robinho 75); Muntari, Jong, Nocerino; Birsa (Emanuelson 63); Matri, Balotelli. Subs: Amelia, Poli, Christante, Benedicic, Lotti.

Celtic: (4-4-1-1): Forster; Lustig, Van Dijk, Ambrose, Izaguirre; Matthews (Boerrigter 75), Brown, Mulgrew (Biton 90), Samaras; Commons (Pukki 76); Stokes. Subs: Zaluska, Rogic, Balde, McGeouch

BBC

By Colin Moffat BBC Scotland at San Siro, Milan

AC Milan scored twice in the last 10 minutes to undo a spirited Celtic performance in their Group H Champions League opener in Italy.

The visitors came close with a Georgios Samaras shot and an Anthony Stokes free-kick, which struck the crossbar.

In a stroke of misfortune for Celtic, Cristian Zapata's strike was deflected into his own net by Emilio Izaguirre.
Play media

And Muntari knocked in a loose ball after Mario Balotelli's curling free-kick was palmed by Fraser Forster.

The result is Celtic's 20th loss in 22 away group outings but those sorry figures do not reflect what was an impressive display from Neil Lennon's men, which will provide hope for coming games against Barcelona and Ajax once the pain has subsided.

Led by the industry and composure of captain Scott Brown, Celtic matched the seven-time European Cup winners for most of the game and had chances to take the lead at the San Siro.

From an indirect free-kick, Charlie Mulgrew's shot from 10 yards out was charged down by a cluster of defenders racing from the goal-line.

Samaras hammered a shot narrowly wide, Brown was denied a clear run of goal by a brilliant Nigel de Jong tackle and Stokes found the junction of post and crossbar with a lovely free-kick just a few minutes before the deadlock was broken.

Efe Ambrose and Virgil van Dijk were as imposing as the snow-capped mountains that border the city, doing a wonderful job of protecting Forster, although the goalkeeper made his own contribution to an excellent display from Lennon's side.

He was fortunate that a ferocious 18-yard volley from Balotelli flew straight at him in the opening minutes as the hosts started strongly.

And Forster needed to look sharp to push away a glancing header from Alessandro Matri before Antonio Nocerino fizzed a shot over.

But Balotelli and Matri did not link up well in attack for AC Milan, with the former Manchester City forward a peripheral figure for long spells.

Indeed, Balotelli spent most of the first 45 minutes shrugging his shoulders on the left flank, apparently unhappy that a couple of robust challenges on him had not yielded fouls.

The Italy striker did, however, come very close to opening the scoring in the final moments of the first half when his deflected strike looked destined for the bottom corner before Forster produced a marvellous diving stop.

Samaras scored in all three of Celtic's away games in last year's successful group campaign and the Greek forward thought he had done it again after the interval when his slaloming run culminated with a fizzing shot that swerved inches wide.

He later powered into the six-yard box to connect with a header but his effort was blocked by a defender.

There was a huge let-off for Celtic when Muntari somehow missed with a close-range header.

And the visitors nearly took advantage when a slick counter-attack involving Stokes and Kris Commons released Brown into the penalty box, only for De Jong to make a terrific sliding challenge.

Celtic, who earned nine corners, came closer still when Stokes' free-kick clipped the Milan crossbar.

The Italians laboured for periods, with the home support voicing their frustration, but the stadium exploded in joyous relief as the hearts of travelling fans sunk when Zapata's raking strike clipped Izaguirre and left Forster wrong-footed.

Much was made of the home side's long injury list but there were still several big names on display in red and black and Balotelli made amends for his disappointing display with a curling free-kick that had Forster palming the ball out, but Muntari was on hand to convert from close range.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +4:01 Full time

Full Time The referee blows the whistle to end the game.
89:54

Anthony Stokes takes a shot.
88:39 Substitution

Substitution Charlie Mulgrew leaves the field to be replaced by Nir Biton.
86:06 Substitution

Substitution Alessandro Matri goes off and Andrea Poli comes on.
84:58 Goal scored

Goal! – Sulley Muntari – AC Milan 2 – 0 Celtic Sulley Muntari scores a left footed goal. AC Milan 2-0 Celtic.
84:19 Booking

Booking
84:11

Scott Brown challenges Mario Balotelli unfairly and gives away a free kick. Caution for Scott Brown. Mario Balotelli has a direct shot on goal from the free kick. Fraser Forster parries the ball away.
81:26 Goal scored

Goal! – Emilio Izaguirre – AC Milan 1 – 0 Celtic Emilio Izaguirre puts the ball into their own net. AC Milan 1-0 Celtic.
81:24

Cristian Zapata has an effort at goal. Emilio Izaguirre gets a block in.
78:31

Nigel De Jong concedes a free kick for a foul on Teemu Pukki. Anthony Stokes shoots direct from the free kick and hits the bar.
77:43

Mikael Lustig sends in a cross. Clearance made by Cristian Zaccardo.
76:16 Substitution

Substitution Kris Commons goes off and Teemu Pukki comes on.
74:29 Booking

Booking
74:17

Cristian Zapata takes the free kick.
74:17 Substitution

Substitution De Souza Robinho on for Kevin Constant.
74:17 Substitution

Substitution Derk Boerrigter comes on in place of Adam Matthews.
74:17

Charlie Mulgrew challenges Nigel De Jong unfairly and gives away a free kick. The referee shows Charlie Mulgrew a yellow card.
71:15

Corner taken by Urby Emanuelson.
71:05

Urby Emanuelson crosses the ball. Clearance by Efe Ambrose.
70:01

Shot by Cristian Zaccardo.
69:45

Alessandro Matri takes a shot. Mikael Lustig gets a block in.
69:29

The ball is swung over by Alessandro Matri.
68:10

Kevin Constant delivers the ball.
67:43

Adam Matthews produces a cross.
67:08

Scott Brown takes a shot. Christian Abbiati catches the ball.
65:57 Booking

Booking
65:48

Efe Ambrose concedes a free kick for a foul on Sulley Muntari. Efe Ambrose receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. Mario Balotelli shoots direct from the free kick against the wall.
65:08

The ball is crossed by Antonio Nocerino. Fraser Forster catches the ball.
64:22

Unfair challenge on Mario Balotelli by Charlie Mulgrew results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Antonio Nocerino.
63:56

Corner taken by Kris Commons. Antonio Nocerino manages to make a clearance.
63:42

Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Blocked by Cristian Zapata.
63:25

Centre by Mikael Lustig. Christian Abbiati parries the ball away.
63:10

Emilio Izaguirre gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Urby Emanuelson. Free kick taken by Antonio Nocerino.
62:31 Substitution

Substitution Urby Emanuelson on for Valter Birsa.
61:59

Kevin Constant crosses the ball. Header at goal by Sulley Muntari goes over the bar.
61:15

The referee blows for offside. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
59:59

The ball is sent over by Anthony Stokes. Georgios Samaras takes a shot.
59:48

The ball is swung over by Charlie Mulgrew.
59:17

Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line. Clearance made by Sulley Muntari.
59:01

Kris Commons takes a shot. Philippe Mexes gets a block in.
57:45

Georgios Samaras fouled by Nigel De Jong, the ref awards a free kick. Kris Commons takes the free kick.
56:30

Georgios Samaras fouled by Antonio Nocerino, the ref awards a free kick. Emilio Izaguirre takes the free kick.
55:59

The ball is sent over by Valter Birsa.
55:23

Corner taken by Valter Birsa. Header at goal by Cristian Zapata goes right of the post.
55:09

Mario Balotelli has an effort at goal. Mikael Lustig gets a block in.
54:54

Antonio Nocerino takes a shot. Emilio Izaguirre gets a block in.
54:44

The ball is delivered by Mario Balotelli. Emilio Izaguirre manages to make a clearance.
54:27

Antonio Nocerino produces a cross.
54:05

Foul by Georgios Samaras on Antonio Nocerino, free kick awarded. Valter Birsa takes the free kick.
53:41

Anthony Stokes challenges Cristian Zaccardo unfairly and gives away a free kick. Cristian Zaccardo restarts play with the free kick.
52:57

Mario Balotelli takes a shot.
51:33

Georgios Samaras concedes a free kick for a foul on Valter Birsa. Cristian Zaccardo restarts play with the free kick.
50:14

Georgios Samaras takes a shot and went wide of the right hand upright.
48:23

Centre by Adam Matthews that comes to nothing.
47:09

Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
46:46

The ball is sent over by Mikael Lustig. Cristian Zapata makes a clearance.
45:39

Kris Commons takes a shot and missed to the left of the net.
45:01

The referee gets the second half started.
45:00 +1:43 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.
45:00 +1:19

Shot by Sulley Muntari went harmlessly over the bar.
45:00 +1:00

Valter Birsa decides to take a short corner.
45:00 +0:29

Mario Balotelli takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Fraser Forster dives and deflects the ball away.
45:00 +0:11

The ball is delivered by Antonio Nocerino. Clearance made by Efe Ambrose.
44:28

Philippe Mexes takes a shot. Blocked by Efe Ambrose.
42:22

Adam Matthews crosses the ball. Christian Abbiati safely holds on.
41:42

Sulley Muntari takes a shot.
41:15

Corner from the right by-line taken by Valter Birsa. Emilio Izaguirre manages to make a clearance.
40:36

Free kick awarded for a foul by Georgios Samaras on Cristian Zapata. Christian Abbiati restarts play with the free kick.
40:23

Corner taken by Kris Commons. Cristian Zapata makes a clearance.
39:53

Anthony Stokes takes a shot. Blocked by Philippe Mexes.
38:21

The referee gives a free kick against Nigel De Jong for handball. Free kick crossed by Charlie Mulgrew. Clearance by Cristian Zapata.
37:21

The ball is swung over by Mikael Lustig. Blocked by Sulley Muntari.
36:01

Corner from the left by-line taken by Kris Commons. Clearance made by Philippe Mexes.
32:43

Adam Matthews sends in a cross. Sulley Muntari gets a block in.
31:44

Unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Antonio Nocerino results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Emilio Izaguirre.
31:00

Antonio Nocerino takes a shot.
30:32

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Cristian Zaccardo by Georgios Samaras. Antonio Nocerino takes the free kick.
29:23

Mario Balotelli concedes a free kick for a foul on Scott Brown. Free kick taken by Virgil van Dijk.
24:02

Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line. Sulley Muntari manages to make a clearance.
23:31

Centre by Emilio Izaguirre. Philippe Mexes makes a clearance.
22:23

Anthony Stokes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Philippe Mexes. Philippe Mexes restarts play with the free kick.
21:41

Kris Commons has an effort at goal and missed to the right of the target.
20:36

Corner taken by Valter Birsa from the right by-line. Clearance made by Efe Ambrose.
20:15

Alessandro Matri takes a shot. A parry by Fraser Forster prevents the goal.
19:31

Foul by Virgil van Dijk on Sulley Muntari, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Christian Abbiati.
18:34

Kris Commons decides to take the corner short.
18:03

Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line.
17:31

Charlie Mulgrew takes a shot. Blocked by Kevin Constant.
16:12

Kris Commons takes the free kick.
15:36

Mikael Lustig sends in a cross.
13:47

Foul by Mikael Lustig on Mario Balotelli, free kick awarded. Philippe Mexes takes the free kick.
13:30

The ball is sent over by Adam Matthews.
11:33

The ball is swung over by Scott Brown. Philippe Mexes makes a clearance.
11:04

Valter Birsa concedes a free kick for a foul on Emilio Izaguirre. Efe Ambrose takes the free kick.
9:41

Mario Balotelli has an effort at goal. Adam Matthews gets a block in.
9:03

Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew. Christian Abbiati catches the ball.
7:23

Corner from the left by-line taken by Valter Birsa.
7:06

Valter Birsa takes a shot. Fraser Forster blocks the ball.
6:19

Charlie Mulgrew concedes a free kick for a foul on Mario Balotelli. Sulley Muntari takes the free kick.
5:17

Antonio Nocerino takes a shot. Fraser Forster catches the ball.
4:30

Foul by Georgios Samaras on Cristian Zaccardo, free kick awarded. Cristian Zaccardo takes the free kick.
4:07

Shot by Antonio Nocerino went wide left of the target.
3:45

Mario Balotelli takes a shot. Fraser Forster parries the ball away.
2:50

Philippe Mexes takes a shot and went wide right of the target.
2:34

Sulley Muntari delivers the ball. Clearance by Efe Ambrose.
2:04

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Antonio Nocerino by Emilio Izaguirre. Cristian Zaccardo takes the free kick.
0:19

Cristian Zaccardo concedes a free kick for a foul on Georgios Samaras. Strike on goal comes in from Kris Commons from the free kick and goes over the bar.
0:00

The match has kicked off.