AC Milan secured the qualification in the last 16 of the Champions League after a dramatic 3-1 away to Anderlecht. Philippe Mexes has scored a superb goal in the 71st minute, and the other successes were scored by El Shaarawy (47) and Pato (90 +1) for the Rossoneri while for the Belgians has scored De Sutter (78).
Anderlecht came after five consecutive wins in all competitions, but Van den Brom’s team never had a chance against the Milanese Devils, hungry for success. Only one Italian player has “survived” in the Milanese team that defeated on the Constant Vanden Stock in 2006, by Kaka’s goal (2006). Daniele Bonera, eliminated in that match, but was not fit for this Wednesday’s evening, and Allegri had to compile again an experienced defensive.
Although at the half time the score was 0-0, AC Milan scored immediately after the resumption, with a goal coming from El Shaarawy, author of half of the goals scored by his team this season! What was better was to come only later. In the 71st minute, at a trivial free kick, the French central defender managed an exceptional scissors from 16 meters, wuth the ball catapulted unde the cross defeated by Proto, helpless at this phase. At a phase before, Nuytinck got a red card from the referee Damir Skomina.
Even if Sutter scored for the hosts, Alexandre Pato gave the decisive blow in overtime. Following this result, Milan was qualified further with Malaga, while Anderlecht and Zenit continue to fight for the 3rd place, witch can send one of them in Europa League.
Starting Line-ups:
Anderlecht (4-2-3-1): Proto – Gillet, Kouyate, Nuytinck, Deschacht – Kljestan, Biglia – Bruno (66 Iakovenko), Praet (75 De Sutter), Jovanovic (77 Canesin) – Mbokani. Coach: John Van der Brom
AC Milan (4-3-3): Abbiati – De Sciglio, Mexes (79 Zapata), Yepes, Constant (73 Emanuelson) – Montolivo, De Jong, Nocerino – Boateng, Bojan (67 Pato), El Shaarawy. Coach: Max Allegri