Mourinho's fear

Howard Webb

Milan 2 Madrid 2

Ronaldo would run down the left and it was necessary that someone with more than adequate pace kept him quiet. Abate was thankfully assigned the role of doing so. Ronaldo could rarely cut in from the left with Abate proving him with very little room to run riot. He closed down the winger superbly at the risk of getting sent off. Also, the former World Player of the Year couldn't penetrate through the heart of the Milan defense. He therefore chose to dance at the sideline and catch his face when contacted on his throat. Allegri's selection of Ronaldinho made sense however he was positioned out wide on the left where Ramos would shackle him for the rest of the game. Madrid played a high line of defense which caught Pato and Ibrahimovic offside a number of times to the frustration of the forwards and the onlookers. The home defense started revealing the cracks in the fort when Pepe was left unmarked on a free header. That should have been 1-0. Almost instantly, Pirlo clears the ball of the line not once but twice! Should have been 3-0. After these close calls, I stopped counting. Madrid began to control the tempo and the San Siro effect was neutralized. Those in white passed freely around the park with the Milan front three cooling their heels up front. Gattuso had to work his socks off to cover for Pato and Ronaldinho's indifference, which he did rather admirably. Ronaldinho had a couple of flicks in the game. That aside, he had no answers to Ramos' marking. Inevitably, Madrid took the lead. Higuain was left free in the box by Nesta who stepped out to close down Di Maria. The winger found the forward quite comfortably. Unfortunately, this time, Higuain made no mistake with his finish. For the rest of the half, Pato and Ibrahimovic contributed by conceding several offsides. Enough perhaps, to strain the lungs of the linesman.

Madrid continued to win the midfield battle. They toyed with Milan by passing around inviting the midfield onto them. However, the midfield of 3 were so stretched that they didn't know which direction to move in. Madrid seemed content to keep the ball and slow the pace of the game. Ronaldinho was later axed for Inzaghi. This move was going to be the turning point for the home side. A lapse of concentration from Madrid and a surge of the same from Inzaghi saw Milan claw one back due to Ibrahimovic's endeavorer. Ibrahimovic was getting more involved in the game by dropping deep and creating from a trequartista position. Madrid were rattled by the equalizer and Allegri decided to bring Ambrosini on for Pato! The logic of this move is beyond me. Adding Robinho to the fray would have brought some width and skill upfront which was hugely lacking with Pato on the pitch. 10 minutes later, Inzaghi scores again! However, the goal was clearly offside. Mourinho hooked Carvalho and gave Leon a run-in. This move was soaked in intent. With 12 minutes to go, Milan use theatrics and corner flag possession to kill time. This, against a supremely talented Madrid side. Madrid answered the taunt with a goal at the death. Pedro Leon left Zambrotta for dead as he turned and blasted the ball through Abbiati's legs.

Inzaghi cemented Mourinho's fears with a brace. Jose wasn't taking a jibe at Milan with that comment some weeks ago. Inzaghi instilled the fear in the Special One and taught the younger lads what it means to score. Howard Webb was my man of the match. A superb performance from the Englishman who produced the cards only when necessary. He kept his composure and bullied the bullies showcasing why he is the finest referee in the world. Pato has shown time and again this season that he is unreliable and his performances in the big games has been nothing short of awful. Ronaldinho has most likely booked his tickets to LA Galaxy and Milan might have booked their tickets to the Europa League. Auxerre away are a nasty opponent and Ajax are massively unpredictable. The Dutch side will be sniffing qualification which would make them a lot harder to beat. The next two ties are must win for Milan if they have a genuine interest to qualify for the knockout rounds. However, such a feat requires top quality football, which is currently lacking in great proportions in this over-rated Milan side.

Milan - Inzaghi 68', 78'

Madrid - Higuain 45', Leon 94'