Despite being invisible for the first half, Zlatan Ibrahimovic sprang to life in the second, scoring twice as Milan saw off Auxerre 2-0.
Milan were abysmal for the first half of their Group G encounter against Auxerre, but they eventually won on the virtue of two goals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede barely managed a touch in the first 45 minutes, but after the restart he combined well with Ronaldinho and Milan's best player on the night, midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Milan were abysmal for the first half of their Group G encounter against Auxerre, but they eventually won on the virtue of two goals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede barely managed a touch in the first 45 minutes, but after the restart he combined well with Ronaldinho and Milan's best player on the night, midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.
As expected, Milan started with a 4-3-3. Gianluca Zambrotta returned to the righ-back position after his injury, while Luca Antonini took the left-back spot. The center of defence was held together by Alessandro Nesta and Daniele Bonera. Massimo Amborsini, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf got the nod in midfield, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic formed a trident with Ronaldinho and Pato.
Despite such an ambitious shape, Milan were toothless in the first half. They also lost Massimo Ambrosini to injury, as he had to leave the field just fifteen minutes into the match. In his place came Boateng, an effervescent and powerful player who operated with a remarkable precocity. It was he who set up the first goal in the 66th minute. Ronaldinho lobbed a ball into the area, which Boateng headed into the path of an onrushing Ibrahimovic to poke in. The Swede had endured a fruitless match before the opening goal.
Ibrahimovic made it 2-0 three minutes later. Ronaldinho threaded a pass in for Ibra, who, in turn, one-timed it past the Auxerre goalkeeper, Olivier Sorin.
In the end, a 2-0 scoreline hugely flattered Milan, but it also represented three points that Milan will accept with alacrity. The victory's scoreline also matched the score between Real Madrid and Ajax, with the former running out triumphant. It was not a brillaint Milan performance, but it was three points nonetheless. Further, the game also marked the debut of Ibra at the San Siro, and he will be pleased with his winning brace.
Milan were abysmal for the first half of their Group G encounter against Auxerre, but they eventually won on the virtue of two goals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede barely managed a touch in the first 45 minutes, but after the restart he combined well with Ronaldinho and Milan's best player on the night, midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.
As expected, Milan started with a 4-3-3. Gianluca Zambrotta returned to the righ-back position after his injury, while Luca Antonini took the left-back spot. The center of defence was held together by Alessandro Nesta and Daniele Bonera. Massimo Amborsini, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf got the nod in midfield, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic formed a trident with Ronaldinho and Pato.
Despite such an ambitious shape, Milan were toothless in the first half. They also lost Massimo Ambrosini to injury, as he had to leave the field just fifteen minutes into the match. In his place came Boateng, an effervescent and powerful player who operated with a remarkable precocity. It was he who set up the first goal in the 66th minute. Ronaldinho lobbed a ball into the area, which Boateng headed into the path of an onrushing Ibrahimovic to poke in. The Swede had endured a fruitless match before the opening goal.
Ibrahimovic made it 2-0 three minutes later. Ronaldinho threaded a pass in for Ibra, who, in turn, one-timed it past the Auxerre goalkeeper, Olivier Sorin.
In the end, a 2-0 scoreline hugely flattered Milan, but it also represented three points that Milan will accept with alacrity. The victory's scoreline also matched the score between Real Madrid and Ajax, with the former running out triumphant. It was not a brillaint Milan performance, but it was three points nonetheless. Further, the game also marked the debut of Ibra at the San Siro, and he will be pleased with his winning brace.
