SC Internacional 2-2 Milan (Internacional win 2-0 on penalties)

MILAN lost on penalties for the second time in the Audi cup, meaning they came 4th overall in the Audi Cup. Milan scored early through Ibrahimovic after good play from Seedorf and Robinho, but Internacional were level around the half an hour mark. In the second half Milan took the lead once more this time through Pato (following Robinho and Ibrahimovic’s 1-2) but D’Alessandro levelled it for Internacional before the Rossoneri lost on penalties.

Showing off the new third kit today was a much changed starting XI from yesterday, With Luca Antonini, Mario Yepes, Thiago Silva and Gianluca Zambrotta in charge of defending Christian Abbiati’s goal. The midfield consisted of Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini and Clarence Seedorf. In attack, Robinho lined up behind Pato and Ibrahimovic.

The Rossoneri made a flying start to the game, clearly trying to improve on yesterday’s slower/more lethargic performance, and Milan threatened in the first minute with the front 3 looking particularly potent.

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3 minutes into the game and Ibrahimovic scored! Much like yesterday Milan got an early lead – albeit deservedly this time, and once again it was thanks to Zlatan Ibrahimovic! Following some good build up play from Clarence Seedorf, Robinho drilled the ball into the box across goal and the big Swede scored with a clever backheel into the far post, a delightful finish!

Milan dominated the next quarter of an hour, they were in control of the ball, they kept possession much better than yesterday and looked far more comfortable physically too.

However, with 22 minutes on the clock, the scoreline was level. Following Antononi losing the ball high up field, Internacional broke on the counter, Yepes was beaten for pace on the outside and the ball was played into the box along the ground for Leandro Damião to score. The goal came from nowhere and came against the run of play but in all truth it could – and should – have been avoided.

Around the 30 minute mark and SC Internacional very nearly took the lead. The goal had shaken Milan a bit and they were caught napping once again on the counter, Internacional were 3 against 2, fortunately though, some poor decision making meant that nothing came of the attack – nonetheless, it was another wake up call. Shortly after Robinho had a shot however it went narrowly wide.

5 minutes before half time and Alexandre Pato had a chance to give Milan the lead! Following a glorious chipped through ball, Pato had broken the offside trap and was in, however, he unfortunately could not bring the ball down well enough (it was a difficult ball to control) and the chance was gone. Milan were still the better side but were struggling to create clear cut chances andsometimes seemed to lack structure.

At half time Flavio Roma was brought on to replace Christian Abbiati.

The second half started in a similar way to the first, and Milan very nearly scored just minutes in too. In a clever move, Robinho found himself inside the area and he played the ball along the ground across the box to the unmarked Pato, who – with a free shot on goal – missed the target and sent the ball rattling off the post and out, perhaps he was unlucky though he really should have scored in that situation.

Approaching the 60 minute mark and finally Milan were in the lead, and this time Pato took his chance! Robinho played a brilliant 1-2 with Zlatan Ibrahimovic to burst into the box, before squaring the ball for Pato to have a simple tap in – and this time he made no mistake – it was a wonderful flowing move for a goal and the front 3’s combination worked out brilliantly.

Just moments later the Rossoneri could have doubled their lead. A re-invigorated Pato had burst into life and following some nice link up play again found himself in the box with his back to goal, he pulled off a clever turn and only a brilliant save denied him. From the ensuing corner, Pato played in a superb ball into the box, however, Massimo Ambrosini could only just reach it and unfortunately couldn’t score.

With 25 minutes to go, Cassano, Boateng and Valoti came on for Ibrahimovic, Robinho, and Gattuso.

In all honesty the subs once again sucked the life out of the game – although there were still 1 or 2 moments of creativity, there wasn’t much action in the immediate aftermath.

Ten minutes from time, Urby Emmanuelson, Massimo Oddo and Mattia De Sciglio came on for Zambrotta, Ambrosini and Antonini.

A minute after the subs and SC Internacional were level. Although Mario yepes could have done a bit better, it was a fortunate ricochet which took the ball into the path of D’alessandro, and the Argentine made no mistake in blasting it past Flavio Roma to level the scoreline once more.

Just 2 minutes from time, Milan could have taken the lead. Antonio Cassano was given a bit of space in the box, and found a pass through to Valoti – the youngster took a snap shot and got it on target well but Renan pulled off another fine save to deny the Rossoneri a win at the death!

Cassano had a brilliant end to the game, and following a clever bit of quick thinking from Antonio Cassano the ball was whipped into the box but Kevin-Prince Boateng could not get there quick enough to take advantage, and the game ended level. So, on to penalties the sides went!

Valoti stepped up for Milan’s first and although he struck it well, it was at a good height and was saved by Renan, while D’Alessandro scored for Internacional. Cassano then failed to convert his penalty – once again saved by Renan, while Nei converted for SC Internacional. For the third penalty, Massimo Oddo very unfortunately hit the post before Roma stopped Internacional from scoring. Pato had to score to keep them in it, and Pato hit his penalty in the same way and in the same place as Cassano, once again, Renan saved.

The penalties meant Milan finished 4th despite them being the better side in the game, it was the substitutions which ruined the game and Internacional did well to get back and seemed to want it more in the shootout.

Best Moment: the 1-2 before Pato’s goal

Man of the Match: Robinho

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