final few minutes at the San Siro ensured Milan claimed a dramatic 2-0 win over Celtic in their opening match of the Champions League.
Fraser Forster was immense in goals for the Scottish outfit, but he couldn?t prevent the Rossoneri?s late show in the final minutes of the fixture in which his side also struck the woodwork.
The two teams last met in this competition in the 2007/08 season when each won their home fixture in the group stage, and it remains the only victory Celtic have had over the Rossoneri to date.
Celtic were, however, looking to add a second to their efforts as they favoured their chances on the road knowing that the Milan side they came up against would be substantially wounded.
Despite their frailties coming into the game, Milan started off the more promising of the action and Celtic?s goalkeeper, Fraser Forster, was immediately tested with a powerful Mario Balotelli volley.
An uncanny moment occurred in the 17th?minute when Celtic were handed an indirect free-kick inside Milan?s box after the referee judged Christian Abbiati to have picked up Cristian Zapata?s back pass.
Charlie Mulgrew struck it low in hope of blasting it through the wall, but Kevin Constant made a fantastic block to prevent Milan from going 1-0 down.
Milan were awarded a free-kick after Zaccardo was brought down in the middle of the park. They worked the set-piece with a looping ball to Antonio Nocerino and he spectacularly struck a half-volley which forced Forster to tip it over his goal post.
A worrying moment in Milan?s defence set Anthony Stokes taking on Zapata and Philippe Mexes in the 40th?minute. He did well to leave the Colombian for dead before unleashing a low shot towards goal but it kissed the side netting.
Giorgos Samaras fired wide of goal from range just after the restart, before Sulley Muntari squandered the perfect opportunity to go 1-0 up when he connected to a ball at the near post. However his diving header was misdirected and went out at the side netting.
Celtic followed suit with their best chance of the game on the 80th?minute, when Anthony Stokes struck a free-kick which nearly snapped the frame of the goals.
However, with just eight minutes remaining it was the Italians who had the last laugh when Zapata?s shot from Balotelli?s squared ball took a deflection off Emilio Izaguirre and directed into the back of the net.
A second was added just four minutes later when Foster pulled off a terrific one-handed save off Balotelli?s free-kick. The rebound landed at the feet of Sulley Muntari and he converted from three-yards out.
It was enough for Milan to keep up the pace as fellow contenders Barcelona marched onto an impressive 4-0 victory over Ajax Amsterdam.
Via: Mtnfootball.com
