Alexandre Pato Bags a Brace As AC Milan Downs Real At the Bernabeu

The fixture between Real Madrid and AC Milan was one of the most anticipated clashed since the group stage draw. It was the game where Ricardo Kaká would come up against his old team mates for the first time since his high-profile summer switch to the Spanish capital.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side had won all of their games in all competition ahead of tonight’s big clash with the exception of a sole defeat to title contenders Sevilla in the league. Confidence was running high amongst Los Merengues after the weekend’s 4-2 thrashing of Valladolid despite them missing one of their key-players in Cristiano Ronaldo through injury.

The visitors had started the league in a disappointing fashion under the guidance of rookie coach Leonardo and shockingly fell to a defeat to Swiss outfit FC Zürich on the second matchday at the San Siro. The Rossoneri received a much needed morale boost ahead of their away trip to the Bernabeu as they managed to overturn a 0-1 deficit to a 2-1 victory against AS Roma during the weekend.

Around 80,000 spectators greeted the two teams as they entered the field. The main character of the evening, Kaká, received lots of hugs and smiles from his old teammates in seconds preceding the game but would have to brush aside his emotions as the players took to their positions.

The expectations were high as two of Europe’s most storied sides prepared to battle it out on the stadium of the 2010 Champions League final—and what a game we were in for.

First Half

After a balanced opening few minutes the home side was beginning to take over the proceedings at the Bernabeu. On 14 minutes the Real-players were furious as Gianluca Zambrotta’s challenge brought down Karim Benzema inside the area, but luckily for the visitors the referee awarded a goal-kick despite the full back’s lack of contact with the ball.

Minutes later Raúl—who scored twice on his 711th appearance in the Real-shirt during the weekend—put the home side one up after Didá showcased just why he’s Milan’s third choice goalkeeper this season. The Brazilian shotstopper was unable to hold onto Granero’s effort and accidentally dropped the ball and with his knee passed it to an onrushing Raúl who simply rounded the keeper and slotted in 1-0 to into the back of the net.

Ronaldinho was looking lively down the left but Sergio Ramos did a good—albeit somewhat too rough—job in keeping the Brazilian under check. On top of that Alexandre Pato was helping out the midfield on several occasions—leaving Filippo Inzaghi extremely isolated up front.

The visiting side had difficulties getting out of their own half at times and all their players behind the ball—going on the counter when given the opportunity. Although Leonardo’s men did an admirable job in the defense, they were having great difficulties stringing passes together in the final third.

As the first half entered into its closing the stages the players were clearly showcasing fatigue after the intensive first 45 minutes. Marcelo had one last effort at goal from distance before the interval, but this time Dida was able to punch away the danger with the minimum of fuss.

Second Half

The Milan players were looking focused as they entered the pitch after the half time break as Leonardo opted to wait with the substitutions. The Rossoneri were clearly looking for the equalizer and at times even played with four strikers as they poured forwards in numbers.

Despite the visitors efforts it was the home side that was edging closer to adding a second as both Raúl and Kaká tried their fortune from various distances—lucky for Milan, Dida was up to the challenge.

Milan were running out of ideas, but on 63 minutes Andrea Pirlo created a goal from completely nothing as his piledriver from 35 yards found its way into the back of the net and silenced the Bernabeu-faithful.

Just two minutes later it was Pato’s turn to get on the scoresheet. The young Brazilian scored a goal that was a mirror image from his winner against Roma as Massimo Ambrosini played a glorious long ball to the forward who went on to outrun two defenders, skip past Casillas and put 2-1 into the empty net—scoring his first ever Champions League goal.

The travelling supporters were singing in full voice. Milan were looking sharp after overturning the deficit in the space of two minutes and immediately set out to add a third. Clarence Seedorf came close on a few occasions but squandered the opportunities as he lacked the distinction in the final shot.

The drama was, however, far from over. With 15 minutes to go Raúl’s corner kick reached an unmarked Royston Drenthe who unleashed a daisycutter that wound its way through several pair of legs before it went into the net behind Dida.

On 84 minutes the Brazilian shotstopper failed to clear Kaká’s shot on which the rebound ended up at the feet of the Real captain. The ball was saved on the goalline by Nesta but by that time the linesman had already flagged for offside.

Two minutes later Thiago Silva thought he had scored the winner on a Milan corner, but the referee dismissed the goal due to scuffles in the box preceding the header. In the following seconds all hell broke loose as furious players from both sides started shoving each other in the midst of some heated arguments.

Milan was to get their winner the following minute as Seedorf looked up and lifted the ball to an onrushing and unmarked Pato who added his second for the evening on a fine volley. Casillas was rooted to the spot and could only watch as the Rossoneri players celebrated like crazy while Leonardo lifted his fist to the sky.

The following minutes were played out in slow fashion as Milan held onto the ball in order to let the minutes tick by. The joy knew no limit as the referee blew the final whistle.

The win against Real Madrid could very well mark the turnaround for the Rossoneri—just like it did for Juventus last season. The two sides now top group C on six points—making their encounter at the San Siro in a fortnight all the more important.

Real Madrid – Milan 2-3
1-0 (19) Raúl, 1-1 (63) Pirlo, 1-2 (65) Pato, 2-2 (75) Drenthe, 3-2 (87) Pato

Real Madrid : Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Albiol, Marcelo; L Diarra, Xabi Alonso; Kakà, Raul, Granero (Drenthe 68); Benzema

AC Milan : Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf; Pato, Ronaldinho (Flamini 91), Inzaghi (Borriello 60)