Serie A Week 1: Pato Scores Double In Milan Win Over Siena
August 23rd 2009 17:33
It's the dawn of a new era at the San Siro. The departure of superstar Kaka, manager Carlo Ancelotti and defender Paolo Maldini (who retired) brings a lot of question marks in all categories of Milan's play, be it offense, defense, or coaching. Will Ronaldinho return to form to fill the gaping hole left by Kaka? Who will replace Maldini's leadership in center defense? And will new manager Leonardo successfully put his own stamp on this aging team who's seen it all with Ancelotti? Although none of these questions can be answered after just one game, there is one thing the Milan tifosi can count on this season: barring injury, Alexandre Pato will be a force to reckon with as he looks to secure himself a spot on the Brazilian squad for the upcoming World Cup. The young striker showed his value to the club on Saturday as he scored the two goals in Milan's 2-1 victory over Siena.
From the opening minutes of the game, Siena were decidedly playing with fire, using an offside trap that wasn't as reliable as they wanted. Milan left-back Jankulovski was the first to find the flaw in Siena's uneven backline as he evaded the trap in the 18th minute only to lose his one-on-one against Gianluca Curci. Ten minutes later, it was Pato who beat the offside as he received a lovely pass from Ronaldinho right at the edge of the box. Faced against Curci, Pato took his time and lodged the ball inside the far post for Milan's first goal of the season.
Although they didn't threaten Storari's goal that much, Siena weren't going to let Milan walk away this easily. In the 33rd minute, Abdelkader Ghezzal buried a shot rebound in the back of the net to put the game at 1-1.
Milan didn't waste time to get back their lead once they returned from the break. Once again, Ronaldinho delivered another defense-splitting pass this time to Flamini who slid it across to Pato for an easy tap-in. The goal came just two minutes into the second half and had the effect of a cold shower on Siena player.
Although Pato scored both Milan's goal, Ronaldinho's excellent work during that game was instrumental in Milan's win. Next week, the Rossoneri will face their first real challenge of the season agaisnt rivals and defending champions Inter Milan.
AC Milan line-up: Marco Storari; Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, Marek Jankulovski; Gennaro Gattuso (Massimo Ambrosini, 60th), Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldinho, Mathieu Flamini; Alexandre Pato, Marco Borriello.
From the opening minutes of the game, Siena were decidedly playing with fire, using an offside trap that wasn't as reliable as they wanted. Milan left-back Jankulovski was the first to find the flaw in Siena's uneven backline as he evaded the trap in the 18th minute only to lose his one-on-one against Gianluca Curci. Ten minutes later, it was Pato who beat the offside as he received a lovely pass from Ronaldinho right at the edge of the box. Faced against Curci, Pato took his time and lodged the ball inside the far post for Milan's first goal of the season.
Although they didn't threaten Storari's goal that much, Siena weren't going to let Milan walk away this easily. In the 33rd minute, Abdelkader Ghezzal buried a shot rebound in the back of the net to put the game at 1-1.
Milan didn't waste time to get back their lead once they returned from the break. Once again, Ronaldinho delivered another defense-splitting pass this time to Flamini who slid it across to Pato for an easy tap-in. The goal came just two minutes into the second half and had the effect of a cold shower on Siena player.
Although Pato scored both Milan's goal, Ronaldinho's excellent work during that game was instrumental in Milan's win. Next week, the Rossoneri will face their first real challenge of the season agaisnt rivals and defending champions Inter Milan.
AC Milan line-up: Marco Storari; Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, Marek Jankulovski; Gennaro Gattuso (Massimo Ambrosini, 60th), Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldinho, Mathieu Flamini; Alexandre Pato, Marco Borriello.
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