Passage

Thiago Silva

Auxerre 0 Milan 2

Struggle has been a fore value for the club this season. A mechanical, methodical system has resulted in favorable results and therefore acceptable results. Just about, almost. That was not going to change in France. A result was absolutely essential at the Stade Abbe. So come how may, a win would be enjoyed from the top to the bottom at the Milanello.

A win we did achieve. Two wonder-strikes from two wonderful players settled the game. Ibrahimovic scored from distance and Ronaldinho struck the decisive second from a tight angle. However, it can be argued that Auxerre were hard done by this result. They attacked Milan relentlessly shooting twelve times at target with only three troubling Abbiati. Milan had eight shots at target and scored the two times they had the ball directed on target. It was a fairly even game with Milan holding the ball better than Auxerre. Auxerre however tried to do more with the ball at their feet while Milan played safe by building up slowly, carefully. Robinho's movement is getting better and better in every game and the centre backs are enjoying another wonderful season at the heart of defense. Also, Abate is quickly developing into Milan's best full back. He gallops forward without fear and tracks back to clear up the occasional mess. This facet of his game has developed under Allegri who has successfully enforced some positive changes across the squad. Ambrosini has been reinvented as the holding midfielder, a position he has donned very well since his return to the first team. However, Allegri opted to rotate the squad in this game and slotted Gattuso into that position. But Gattuso tends to venture up every now and then which was exploited by Auxerre on the counters as they attacked through the centre. Silva is in the form of his life and has been a wall in front of Abbiati. His timing on tackles and closing down of forwards has been top notch thus far this season and is rapidly transpiring into the world's best centre back.

Milan's movement and game play has been frighteningly similar over the last few games. This system might work against the mid-table sides but the better coaches and the better teams will find loopholes in this team, which are evidently visible. We have found the passage into the knock-out stages but having finished second in the group, it's perhaps recommended that fans of Milan brace themselves for elimination.

Auxerre - /

Milan - Ibrahimovic 64', Ronaldinho 90'