Wednesday November 21, 2012 Group Stage: Group C Finished Stade Constant Vanden Stock
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Champions League - Mexes scores wonder goal as Milan progress
Philippe Mexes scored a sensational overhead kick as AC Milan reached the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over Anderlecht in Belgium. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- Anderlecht
- AC Milan
90+4' The visiting supporters are making a real noise as the referee brings the game to an end with a shrill peep of his whistle. Milan win 3-1 and advance into the knockout stages. Thanks for joining us tonight. See you soon!- 90+3' Anderlecht really had to go for it and, credit to them, they did so but were just caught short at the back then. It's been a gallant effort from the Belgian side tonight!!
90+2' GOAL FOR MILAN!! The Italian side are through. The hosts, who have ten men, push everyone forward and are caught on the counter. El Shaarawy is sent clear down the left and cuts into the box before squaring for Pato who taps into the empty net.- 90' Milan have everyone back with Pato standing halfway into his own half. Yakovenko’s corner flies straight into the unchallenged Abbiati’s arms and that will relieve some of the pressure.
- 89' Anderlecht have had 61% of possession this evening so have obviously enjoyed the majority of the play but have failed to do a great deal with it in the attacking third and are just minutes away from elimination.
- 88' Pato looks to use his pace to get on the end of Boateng’s through ball. The linesman raises his flag instantly and play is brought back.
87' Abbiati is booked for time wasting. De Jong receives a late challenge from Kljestan in the centre of the park and the two players exchange a few choice words.- 86' De Sutter looks to latch on the end of Biglia’s cross from the left. He’s the only man in the penalty area which allows for Abbiati to come off his line and claim.
- 85' That chance for Deschacht was really well-worked. The defender knew how much of a golden chance that was and was visibly livid with himself as the ball found row Z.
- 84' De Sutter is on the ball again. He’s made a real impact since coming on. The substitute turns Yepes well before being hauled down 30 yards from goal.
83' Deschacht is played through down the left by Kljestan. He's closing down on goal and should hit the target from 10 yards but blazes over. That is a left-back's finish.- 82' The game is still very stretched. It is end-to-end as neither side are able to take control of possession. The hosts look to play intricate football on the edge of the penalty area but Yepes reads it well and clears.
- 81' Pato is absolutely clattered into by Kouyate. It’s a great sliding challenge but the momentum carried the Anderlecht man through the Brazilian. A free kick is given.
80' Mexes has been forced off. He injured his knee in that challenge with Gillet. He's replaced by Cristian Zapata.- 79' GOAL FOR ANDERLECHT! Milan fail to clear a set piece and Yakovenko nods the ball into the path of sub Tom De Sutter who pokes home from 6 yards. Well, well, well...
- 79' Fernando Canesin replaces Milan Jovanović as the hosts make their third and final change.
- 78' De Sutter is instantly in the action. He plays through Gillet but Mexes is across to make a sliding challenge. Great tackle.
- 77' Tom De Sutter is introduced as Praet makes way.
- 76' There’s no doubt that the red card will change this game. There’s nothing you can do about Mexes’ goal, but the hosts will really struggle now. It was 50/50 as to whether it really was a red card. I’ll let you pass judgement on that.
- 75' Urby Emanuelson replaces Constant in a like-for-like swap as Milan look to close out this match.
- 74' You can’t help but feel that Anderlecht are all but out of this competition. They are a man down and now need two goals///
- 73' Guys, if you thought Ibrahimovic's effort was good against England; please do yourselves all a favour and watch that goal.
- 72' WHAT A GOAL!! Mexes scores with an overhead kick. He shows unbelievable technique to control a lobbed ball on his chest from the edge of the penalty area before acrobatically volleying into the far corner. Unbelievable.
71' RED CARD!! Nuytinck is sent off for fouling Pato. The referee believes he is the last man and, according to the rules, he must go. Milan were attacking in a two-on-one situation and the defender brought Pato down.- 70' Anderlecht still search for that goal. If the result stays like this, Milan will join Malaga in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
- 69' Alexandre Pato comes in in place of Bojan who suffered in that collision moments ago.
- 69' Gillet is booked for leading with the arm when challenging Nocerino in the air.
- 68' Olexandr Yakovenko is introduced as Bruno makes way.
- 67' Nocerino whips in the free kick which is met by Yepes who directs his header on target. Proto sticks out a leg and makes a wonderful save. The flag is up and it wouldn’t have counted.
- 66' Kouyate clatters into Bojan on the left touchline. The Spaniard looks in real pain and may have hurt his ribs. He could just be winded.
- 65' Constant takes an age to restart the game from Milan’s set piece. The crowd make themselves heard and the Milan defender narrowly escapes a booking.
- 64' The Anderlecht defence are playing a very high line . They’ve got all of the possession at the moment but could quite easily be caught on the counter attack. That would be a disaster.
- 63' El Shaarawy is back and is helping his defence out. They’re giving Abbiati some great protection as Anderlecht struggle to create an opening.
- 62' Mexes goes in late on Mbokani and floors the attacker. Very clever, and is hugely apologetic after it. He meant that, though...
- 61' The Milan defence are standing firm here. They’re working well as a unit and are coping with this pressure. Mbokani shows his quick feet, flicking the ball away from two challenges before playing it out wide.
- 60' With half an hour to go of this match, Anderlecht look to be playing with a sense of urgency. Bruno receives the ball on the right. The winger attempts to cross first time but it is blocked.
- 59' Anderlecht are piling plenty of men in the box. They looked determined to get back in this game. Kljestan gets down the left and guides it into the box. Mbokani stretches for the ball but it is behind him and he heads over.
- 58' This has been a good response from Anderlecht following that goal. They opt to go back home from an attacking position again and the crowd now boo. At 0-0 that was fine. Not at 0-1.
- 57' Biglia whips in another free kick. Kouyate gets underneath it as Mexes heads away. The ball hits the corner flag and does go out for a throw-in but the referee awards a corner.
- 56' Bruno cuts in from the right and gets lucky with the bounce of the ball. Bruno could continue into the box but attempts a shot from an impossible angle and it flies wide.
- 55' Jovanovic bursts into the box from the left and goes down under the challenge of Yepes. The referee waves play on as Mbokani gathers the ball. He then claims for a penalty after being challenged by Mexes. Nothing given.
- 53' Bojan looks to have held onto the ball too long as Milan attack again. He gets the ball back and plays it out wide to Boateng. The Ghanaian pulls the ball back towards El Shaarawy again but Proto is off his line to claim.
- 52' El Shaarawy is in the thick of the action again. He breaks down the left and Milan are attacking in numbers. The man known as The Pharaoh looks to find Boateng on the right wing but the pass is poor and the hosts regain possession.
- 51' El Shaarawy is through on goal. Bojan finds him from the left and the young Italian only has one man to beat. He takes one touch too many, however, and is tackled.
- 50' Biglia is penalised for a foul from behind and is the first Anderlecht man to go into the book.
- 49' Anderlecht were so impressive at the back in the opening 45 minutes but have conceded after just three of the second half. The hosts now need a goal or they are going out!
- 48' GOAL!! Milan score, and what a goal that is from Stephan El Shaarawy. The youngster finds some space at the back post and is found by De Sciglio. Gillet doesn’t track his man which allows for the striker to take a perfect touch and side-foot home from 6 yards. Great finish.
- 47' Milan are pressing high in these opening few minutes. Anderlecht are sitting deep.
- 47' Neither side have made any changes. Milan do have both Pato and Robinho on the bench, should they need some more firepower...
46' The second half is under way.
20:40 Lance Byatt has been in touch on Twitter and thinks that Milan will have too much for Anderlecht in the second half and will run out 2-1 winners. Let me know what you think at the bottom of the screen or on Twitter - @JoshuaHayward99- 45' The referee blows his whistle to end the first half.
- 45' Kouyate concedes a free kick 30 yards from his own goal. He’s furious at the call and explains (very loudly) to the referee that he won the ball. Replays show that the defender did indeed win the ball. Nothing comes from the free kick, however, and the defender will be relieved.
- 44' Bojan tries to dance his way through three or four challenges on the edge of the Anderlecht box. He beats his first man but loses his footing and hits the deck. Nothing in that and the referee waves play on. The hosts clear.
- 43' Proto has had nothing to do so far but is very alert as Nuytinck allows the ball to bounce on the edge of his penalty area. El Shaarawy reads it and nearly beats the keeper to it, but the Anderlecht custodian is off his line quickly to claim.
- 42' Anderlecht look to break in numbers through Praet, but Nocerino is across and floors his man. The referee is over in an instant to produce a yellow card.
- 41' Montolivo swings a cross into the penalty area. Yepes is up high and looks to nod the ball down for his team mate but concedes a free kick for leaning on Bruno.
- 40' Milan look very shaky up front. Despite the attacking threat posed by El Shaarawy, Prince and Bojan, they’ve not linked up well and Anderlecht have looked comfortable at the back.
- 39' Jovanovic gets down the left well. He skips past two challenges and then really should pass the ball, but he holds on to it too long and is tackled.
- 38' Prince challenges Deschacht in the box and is all over the Anderlecht man. The referee gives nothing and the hosts are happy to see the ball roll out for a goal kick.
- 37' Montolivo holds onto the ball too long and nearly puts his side in trouble. He’s under serious pressure from biglian and Kljestan, but the midfielder shows strength to hold off the challenges and win a free kick.
- 36' Biglia, the captain, tries to take the corner from his favoured left side but the referee blows up and makes him trot across to the other side to take the set-piece. It’s another disappointing one and is cleared.
- 35' Biglia whips in a delightful ball - the best of the night - and Mbokani almost gets onto the end of it. Only a great clearance from Constant can prevent the striker from scoring. Corner.
- 34' Mbokani does well to turn ‘Prince’ 30 yards from the Milan goal. The attacker is doubled-up on and is sent to the floor. The referee awards the hosts.
- 33' Anderlecht get the chance to put the ball into the box from the wing yet again. But, yet again, they play it short and the danger is over. That’s happened a few times so far. They’re obviously happy to take their time when attacking...
- 32' Kljestan is involved in a footrace with Contant on the right wing. The Milan defender gets there first and looks to usher the ball out of play. Kljestan can’t get around the defender and pulls him to the ground. Silly foul. More out of frustration than anything...
- 31' Bojan takes a quick free kick and sends De Sciglio down the left. The defender does well to keep the ball in play. The ball makes its way to Boateng on the touchline but the Ghanaian’s cross is mishit. Goal kick.
- 30' The free kick is wasted. Praet dinks it into the box but it has too much loft and too much depth to allow Abbiati to come out and claim.
- 29' Bruno nutmegs El Shaarawy in the centre of the park and attempts to surge forward but is pulled to the floor by Nocerino. Free kick in a decent position.
- 28' Anderlecht have certainly had the better of these opening 28 minutes or so. They were under pressure in the opening exchanges but have settled down and have looked the more likely side to score.
- 27' Biglia’s corner from the left is dangerous and has Abbiati worrying. The keeper recovers well to punch the ball well out of the box. Firm clearance, that!
- 26' Still not a great deal for either keeper to worry about. The majority of the play has come in the middle third of the pitch. Neither team can find that final ball...
- 25' De Jong tries a Hollywood ball from his own half, looking to find Bojan, but the midfielder slips as he makes contact with the ball and it rolls into the arms of Proto.
- 24' Mbokani trades a one-two with Jovanovic on the left. The ball is rolled into the path of Kljestan who shows great strength to get away from a challenge but then is unable to find a team mate with the pass.
- 23' Nocerino’s set-piece from the halfway line is taken down by Bojan on his chest. Excellent control but the attempted pass into the feet of El Shaarawy is poor and Milan lose possession.
- 22' There have been quite a few niggly challenges so far. The referee really is having none of it, though, and is allowing the game to flow.
- 21' The home crowd are in full voice as they urge their team up the field. Mexes misjudges a long ball and fouls Mbokani.
- 20' After that frantic start, Milan have allowed the hosts to get a hold of this game. Neither keeper has really had a great deal to do – apart from that relatively easy Abbiati save – but it’s been an entertaining opening 20 minutes.
- 19' Milan give the ball away again. That’s a few times in the last couple of minutes. Constant recovers to clear the danger.
- 18' Yepes plays a stray pass from the edge of his penalty area which allows Biglia to take control of possession. He tries to slide in Jovanovic but the pass is hit too hard and rolls out for a goal kick.
- 17' Neither team has tried to take the sting out of the game as of yet. They’ve both gone forward in number whenever they’ve had the chance. They both know that they can do a world of good for the knockout stage hopes with a win here tonight, especially the Italians.
- 16' Mbokani finds some space on the left and swings in a delightful ball for Bruno who arrives late at the far post. Constant is on hand to head away the ball.
- 15' Praet gathers the ball as Milan fail to clear the danger. The midfielder jinks his way past a sloppy challenge and fires an effort on goal. He drags it slightly, though, and Abbiati watches it fly past his right-hand post.
- 14' Jovanovic is put through down the left and bursts through on goal. Milan are all over the place and all Jovanovic has to do is beat Abbiati. The shot is very weak and the keeper is able to make a comfortable save.
- 13' Bojan and De Sciglio work the ball down the right as Milan gain some territory. The ball is rolled back to De Jong on the right of the penalty area and the Dutchman attempts to pull the ball back into the path of Nocerino but the pass is poor.
- 12' Milan are enjoying a spell of possession at the moment. They’re playing it around between their back four, looking for a gap to open up. It’s been a frantic opening few minutes but seems to have calmed, for the moment.
- 11' De Sciglio gives the ball away on the edge of his penalty area and Milan look in trouble. Biglia trades a one-two with Praet but the captain doesn’t have the pace to prevent the return ball from rolling out for a goal kick.
- 10' The corner is poor and is cleared at the front post by one of the smallest men on the field; Nigel de Jong. El Shaarawy looks to start an attack for his side but overruns the ball on the halfway line.
- 9' Massimiliano Allegri looks very relaxed on the touchline. And so he should do, judging by his side’s start. Bruno hurries and harries Yepes in his own penalty area and the defender is forced to concede a corner.
- 8' It’s been a very nervy start from Anderlecht. They’ve been guilty of a few stray passes and have given up possession far too easily.
- 7' It’s been a very nervy start from Anderlecht. They’ve been guilty of a few stray passes and have given up possession far too easily. Constant is now caught offside as Milan attack again.
- 6' Bojan looks for Nocerino with a lobbed through ball. There’s too much on it, however, as the ball sails over the midfielder’s head. Gillet reads the play and heads the ball into the arms of Proto.
- 5' It’s been all Milan in these opening minutes. The Italians have managed to get in down that left hand side a few times already and that will be a concern to John van den Brom.
- 4' El Shaarawy clips a ball cross-field into the path of Boateng. The Ghana international is caught offside, though, when he really didn’t need to be.
- 3' Bojan shows a turn of pace to beat Gillet on the flank. He cuts inside and bursts into the box but has the ball nicked away from him by keeper Proto.
- 2' Milan know that a win here will see them through to the knockout stages. The hosts need at least a draw to ensure they stay alive in this competition.
1' Referee Damir Skomina blows his whistle as the hosts kick off.- 19:40 "...we are now doing well, have created a lot of chances and also scored. Against Milan we will not get as many chances as in the domestic league, but we are at home, and we will have to convert the opportunities we get."
- 19:40 Allegri’s opposite number, Anderlecht coach John van den Brom, is of the same opinion that tonight’s game is going to a tough one for both sides and believes his team will need to take their chances when they come: "I want to stick with the type of game we were successful with in recent weeks. I think that except for the Malaga game, we really have had chances to score..."
- 19:35 However, Milan’s coach Massimiliano Allegri insists his team will have to be at their best to overcome Anderlecht this evening: “It is going to be a very difficult game, just like all the ones we have faced recently. The Champions League is a tough competition, but we will give our all to do well. Tomorrow will be a different match, but the team is in good shape physically."
- 19:30 Milan will be buoyed in the knowledge that they have conceded only two goals in 11 games against Belgian opposition in European fixtures, and will go into the match in confidence knowing that this evening’s hosts have won just two of their last 23 Champions League matches.
- 19:25 Anderlecht ended a run of no wins in their last 10 Champions League home games – two draws and eight defeats - when they beat Zenit 1-0 on matchday four. Dieudonné Mbokani's strike in the first half was enough to separate the teams and get his side’s campaign back on track.
- 19:20 The two sides played out a 0-0 draw on matchday one, thanks to a solid team effort from the Belgians as well as an inspired performance from Anderlecht’s goalkeeper Silvio Proto.
- 19:15 Milan’s midfield in their 4-3-3 formation consists of Nigel De Jong, who will sit deep, Antonio Nocerino and Riccardo Montolivo. Former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth man Kevin Prince Boateng will play from the right with Stephan El Shaarawy on the left of an attacking three. Bojan Krkic leads the line in attack.
- 19:10 The hosts line up this evening in their usual 4-5-1 formation with defensively-minded midfielders Sacha Kljestan and Lucas Biglia in the holding role. Former Liverpool man Milan Jovanovic and Massimo Bruno will support Dieudonne Mbokani from the wings.
- 19:05 The teams are in - ANDERLECHT: Proto; Gillet, Kouyate, Nuytinck, Deschacht; Kljestan, Biglia, Bruno, Praet, Jovanovic; Mbokani...SUBS: Kaminski, Kanu, Yakovenko, Safari, De Sutter, Wasilewski, Fernando Canesin /// MIILAN: Abbiati; De Sciglio, Mexes, Yepes, Constant; Montolivo, N. de Jong; Nocerino; Boateng, El Shaarawy, Bojan...SUBS: Amelia, Robinho, Pato, Pazzini, Flamini, Zapata, Emanuelson
- 19:00 In contrast to that, Milan, who haven’t failed to make the knockout stage since 1999/2000, will secure a place in the knockout stage if they take all three points and Zenit St Petersburg fail to beat Malaga in the other Group C fixture.
- 18:55 If the Belgian side do secure a win, they will be on track to advance into the knockout stages for the first time in their history. They did reach the 16-team second group stage in 2000/01, though.
- 18:50 This tie sees third-placed Anderlecht take on Milan, who currently lie in second place, one point ahead of this evening's hosts, on 5 points. The Belgian side will be looking to turn this group on its head with a win tonight and will leapfrog the Italians if they do so.
- 18:45 Good evening and welcome to our LIVE text commentary of the Champions League Group C match between Anderlecht and Milan at the Stade Constant Vanden Stock.
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Summary
- 90+2' GOAL FOR MILAN!! The Italian side are through. The hosts, who have ten men, push everyone forward and are caught on the counter. El Shaarawy is sent clear down the left and cuts into the box before squaring for Pato who taps into the empty net.
- 83' Deschacht is played through down the left by Kljestan. He's closing down on goal and should hit the target from 10 yards but blazes over. That is a left-back's finish.
- 79' GOAL FOR ANDERLECHT! Milan fail to clear a set piece and Yakovenko nods the ball into the path of sub Tom De Sutter who pokes home from 6 yards. Well, well, well...
- 72' WHAT A GOAL!! Mexes scores with an overhead kick. He shows unbelievable technique to control a lobbed ball on his chest from the edge of the penalty area before acrobatically volleying into the far corner. Unbelievable.
- 71' RED CARD!! Nuytinck is sent off for fouling Pato. The referee believes he is the last man and, according to the rules, he must go. Milan were attacking in a two-on-one situation and the defender brought Pato down.
- 67' Nocerino whips in the free kick which is met by Yepes who directs his header on target. Proto sticks out a leg and makes a wonderful save. The flag is up and it wouldn’t have counted.
- 55' Jovanovic bursts into the box from the left and goes down under the challenge of Yepes. The referee waves play on as Mbokani gathers the ball. He then claims for a penalty after being challenged by Mexes. Nothing given.
- 48' GOAL!! Milan score, and what a goal that is from Stephan El Shaarawy. The youngster finds some space at the back post and is found by De Sciglio. Gillet doesn’t track his man which allows for the striker to take a perfect touch and side-foot home from 6 yards. Great finish.
- 35' Biglia whips in a delightful ball - the best of the night - and Mbokani almost gets onto the end of it. Only a great clearance from Constant can prevent the striker from scoring. Corner.
- 15' Praet gathers the ball as Milan fail to clear the danger. The midfielder jinks his way past a sloppy challenge and fires an effort on goal. He drags it slightly, though, and Abbiati watches it fly past his right-hand post.
- 14' Jovanovic is put through down the left and bursts through on goal. Milan are all over the place and all Jovanovic has to do is beat Abbiati. The shot is very weak and the keeper is able to make a comfortable save.
- 19:05 The teams are in - ANDERLECHT: Proto; Gillet, Kouyate, Nuytinck, Deschacht; Kljestan, Biglia, Bruno, Praet, Jovanovic; Mbokani...SUBS: Kaminski, Kanu, Yakovenko, Safari, De Sutter, Wasilewski, Fernando Canesin /// MIILAN: Abbiati; De Sciglio, Mexes, Yepes, Constant; Montolivo, N. de Jong; Nocerino; Boateng, El Shaarawy, Bojan...SUBS: Amelia, Robinho, Pato, Pazzini, Flamini, Zapata, Emanuelson
Team Line-up & Ratings
AnderlechtManager: John van den Brom
AC MilanManager: Massimiliano Allegri
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- S. Proto
- G. Gillet
- C. Kouyaté
- B. Nuytinck
- O. Deschacht
- L. Biglia
- S. Kljestan
- M. Bruno
- D. Praet
- M. Jovanovic
- D. Mbokani
Subs
Starting line-up
- C. Abbiati
- M. De Sciglio
- P. Mexès
- M. Yepes
- K. Constant
- N. de Jong
- R. Montolivo
- A. Nocerino
- K. Boateng
- S. El Shaarawy
- Bojan
Subs
- M. Amelia
- C. Zapata
79′ - U. Emanuelson 73′
- G. Pazzini
- M. Flamini
- Robinho
- A. Pato 67′
- C. Abbiati
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Rate Players
FORZA MILAN PER SEMPRE . . .
that was #$%$ game. not to be able to have possession more than Anderlecht is shame for such a club as ACM is! Allegri, have balls and leave out beloved club!!!
1-0 ac milan robinho 89
they've been #$%$ thats why
i dont understand why ac dont start pato or robinho both are top class?
El Shaarawy to score, of course
Yepes has to start tonight instead of acerbi
Come on Rossoneri! We all know that this season we have not so much luck, but Milan is a very attacking team which plays in very nice style, im sure we can get far in the CL if we go for it, please Milan, we need to do well!!
Come on ac from a juve fan
Avanti Milan!!
