Group GAC Milan 2 Auxerre 0 :ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC crowned his AC Milan home debut with both goals in an otherwise sloppy win over Auxerre in their Champions League Group G opener last night.
The former Inter Milan striker, heartily welcomed back to the San Siro by Milan fans after his arrival from Barcelona, struggled in a woeful first half but was in the right place on 66 minutes to prod in Kevin Prince Boateng’s flick on.
Ronaldinho’s burst down the middle then set up the Swede for a cool finish inside the far post three minutes later to send the 74,296 crowd wild.
Auxerre, yet to win in Ligue 1 this term, had the best chances before the goals when Adama Coulibaly headed against the bar and Steeven Langil fired over when he should have squared it with Milan completely outnumbered at the back.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri and Auxerre counterpart Jean Fernandez were both making their Champions League debuts and they both have work to do to instil some composure in their teams’ play.
Alexandre Pato was the main attacking threat for the hosts before the break but his best effort was deflected over while a penalty appeal when poleaxed by Stephane Grichting was turned down by the referee and his goalline assistant.
Seven-times European champions Milan still look a long way short of realistic challengers despite the addition of Ibrahimovic, who barely had a kick in the first half and struggled in Saturday’s 2-0 league defeat at Cesena.
AC MILAN: Abbiati, Zambrotta, Nesta, Bonera, Antonini (Abate 71), Ambrosini (Boateng 15), Pirlo, Seedorf, Alexandre Pato (Robinho 54), Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho. Subs not used: Amelia, Gattuso, Inzaghi, Yepes. Booked: Seedorf, Zambrotta.
AUXERRE: Sorin, Hengbart, Coulibaly, Mignot, Grichting, Oliech, Pedretti, Ndinga, Birsa (Le Tallec 73), Langil (Chafni 80), Jelen. Subs not used: Riou, Dudka, Quercia, Sammaritano, Berthod. Booked: Grichting.
Referee: Pavel Balaj (Romania).
