Champions League - Zurich stun Milan

Eurosport - Wed, 30 Sep 22:27:00 2009

Hannu Tihinen's audacious flick gave Zurich a shock 1-0 Champions League win at Milan, piling more agony on beleaguered Rossoneri coach Leonardo.

FOOTBALL FC Zurich Tihinen celebrates after scoring against Milan during their Champions League match at the San Siro - 0

The Finnish centre-back expertly turned in a 10th minute corner with his heel while both feet were off the floor to hand the Swiss champions their first points in Group C.

Seven-times European champions Milan won at Marseille in their group opener but otherwise it has been another sorry start to the season under new boss Leonardo, with only one goal scored at home and just eight points amassed from six Serie A matches.

They again lacked penetration and were often forced to send hopeful balls into the box with even the introduction of Ronaldinho at half-time failing to have much effect.

Filippo Inzaghi had two golden chances but was consistently offside while strike partner Alexandre Pato continued to look off the pace at a half-empty San Siro, which still managed a loud chorus of whistles at half-time.

Substitute Gianluca Zambrotta rattled the post in injury time and the final whistle was met by stunned silence while the Zurich players danced on the pitch.

Clarence Seedorf also went close for the hosts with fierce drives but Zurich, who lost to Milan in the UEFA Cup last term, were equally dangerous on the break and could easily have doubled their advantage.

Home defender Kakha Kaladze was booked for pulling down Tihinen at another corner but because the ball was not yet in play, the referee did not award a penalty.

Brazilian Leonardo, previously technical director at Milan, replaced Carlo Ancelotti as coach at the end of last season when the Italian moved to Chelsea but he was immediately handicapped by the sale of Kaka to Real Madrid.

Milan, who have not won the Italian scudetto since 2004, had already stuttered under Ancelotti in the two years following their 2007 Champions League triumph.

Only a few new recruits arrived in a frugal close season but owner Silvio Berlusconi has still said he is dissatisfied with their start.

Leonardo said before the game that every coach was under discussion. Milan's next two Champions League games are against Real Madrid.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 6 of 6

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  1. super Zurich beat the @#$% out of the sunbaked Ities!!!­ Booo...

    From And-you-Would-like-to-join-our-ELITE--EPL!, on Thu 1 Oct 7:51AM

  2. Cyril, I can only agree. The Italian federation had no­ foundation to demote Juve and such decision harmed the­ Serie A a lot. I don't think Milan's a problem­ is the coach. The players in Milan AC are not near the­ best in Europe and the world Inzaghi is still sharp but­ not for 90 minutes. And from history perspective, most­ Italian teams run out of money after overspending for­ years just like English teams will do in few years.

    From Half A Brain, on Thu 1 Oct 4:29AM

  3. I found that the stands to looked half-full.

    From Jason, on Wed 30 Sep 11:42PM

  4. The fact that Zurich can come and win at the San Siro­ says alot about the current state of Italian football.­ The Italian football federation shot itself on the leg­ by demoting Juventus to Serie B following the match­ fixing allegations. This coupled with persistant­ underinvestment has meant that Italy has joined the­ ranks of 2nd tier leagues in line with the French­ league and the Bundesliga... Bravo Federazione!!

    From Cyril, on Wed 30 Sep 10:31PM

  5. stupid leonardo....................no­ eligibility...dont qualify to manage even league 2­ team...unfit idiot.............spoiling­ milan...galliani please change the dumb @#$% with some­ quality­ manager.....pleas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!dump­ ronaldinho!!!!!!!!!!!sign dzeko and other bright­ prospects....old milan will be back

    From S Vikram, on Wed 30 Sep 10:24PM

  6. old milan is dead and gone to his grave

    From Oladimeji, on Wed 30 Sep 10:06PM
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