Month: September 2010

INJURY BLOW FOR MILAN

Pato and Ambrosini sidelined for up to three weeks in a double injury blow for AC Milan. Both men picked up knocks in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash with Auxerre and are now set for a spell on the sidelines.

The duo underwent medical tests on Thursday in an effort to determine the severity of their knocks and have been advised to rest. Brazilian striker Pato strained the abductor muscle in his left leg and has been told that he will be out for two to three weeks.

Club captain Ambrosini will be missing for a similar amount of time after jarring his knee in a hefty challenge. Milan look set to be without the pair for Serie A fixtures against Catania, Lazio and Genoa but hope one, if not both, will be back in time for their next Champions League outing against Ajax on 28th September.

MILAN RECORD OPENING DAY WIN

AC Milan enjoyed an opening day victory over newly promoted Lecce by thrashing them 4-0. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic joining the Rossoneri from Barcelona on an initial loan deal which will become permanent next summer, the pressure was on the young Brazilian and Pato responded with two goals inside the opening 29 minutes as Massimiliano Allegri’s first game in charge ended in a comprehensive victory.

Thiago Silva also scored in between Pato’s strikes as newly-promoted Lecce endured a tricky return to the top flight.

Veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi grabbed a late fourth to complete the win and send Milan – albeit after just one game – to the top of the table.

The onslaught started early with Brazilian centre-half Thiago Silva smashing in a 35-yard drive which Antonio Rosati in the Lecce goal did superbly well to tip over for a corner.

Rosati was powerless to keep out Pato four minutes later, however, the 20-year-old converting Massimo Ambrosini’s pass.

It was 2-0 after 23 minutes as Thiago Silva fired home after a goalmouth scramble.