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Player Ratings: Zurich 1-1 AC Milan
It could have been tense tonight as Milan struggled at times against Zurich, but a win in Marseille for Real Madrid meant the Rossoneri went through. Goal.com rates the participants from the match in Switzerland.
Dec 8, 2009 5:28:30 PM
ZURICH
Leoni: 6 - Had only one save to make in the entire first half. Always came out confidently to meet crosses and was helplessly sent the wrong way for Ronaldinho's penalty.
Rochat: 3 - Couldn't keep up with Pato and Abate as they linked up well down the right. Saw red after bringing Borriello down in the box, resulting in Ronaldinho's goal.
Tihinen: 7 - Stuck close to Borriello as best as he could, never allowing the striker enough space to let a decent effort fly.
Barmettler: 6 - Picked up a yellow for a cynical tackle in the first half, but played very similar to his center-back partner.
Koch: 6.5 - Very bright at times running down the right, but not so much at others. Kept Ronaldinho quiet for long spells, but lost incentive after the penalty.
Gajic: 8 - Zurich's best player, without a doubt. Outshone the Italian middlemen several times as he pick-pocketed his way to glory. Scored an impeccable free kick and always seemed to be in space when he had the ball. A brilliant shift from a very likable player.
Aegerter: 7 - Always willing to get his hands dirty, Aegerter kept things ticking over in midfield. Pirlo and Ambrosini found it very difficult to maneuver against Aegerter and Okonkwo.
Okonkwo: 7 - Great distribution, always looked to do something positive with the ball.
Nikci: 6.5 - His inexperience was evident, but his performance was very positive at times. Ran well and had good control. Could have done better on one particular occasion when he went one-on-one with Dida.
Alphonse: 5 - Wasted a good number of shots and howled for a penalty after a failed attempt at goal in the first half. Held the ball up well, though.
Djuric: 6 - Always looked to offer himself as an option down the left. Often seen making runs, but was unable to really make his mark on the game before being taken off.
Substitutes
Lampi: 5 - Was sent on to replace the dismissed Rochat. Put in a decent shift, but was troubled by Pato and Abate at times.
Margairaz: n/a
Vonlanthen: n/a
AC MILAN
Dida: 5 - Fumbled a few grabs and could have done better for Gajic's free-kick.
Antonini: 8 - Stunning performance from the full-back. Antonini will have Milan managers wondering why they ever left this player out of the side. Was unlucky not to score several times after getting in behind the defense. Ran his legs off all night and always provided Ronaldinho with options.
Thiago Silva: n/a - Injured early in the first half.
Nesta: 5.5 - Always good with one-on-ones, but was beaten a few times by speedy attackers. Could have suffered more has Alphonse been a better striker of the ball.
Abate: 6 - Picked up a yellow card for a needless tackle, but ran wonderfully down the right at times to hook up with Pato.
Ambrosini: 5 - Didn't impose himself on the game as he probably should have. Playing against a less experienced midfield, the skipper should have been all over this one.
Seedorf: 7 - If only Seedorf shot more. Big Clarence held the ball up spectacularly well all match, but never seemed to have the feet to let a shot fly. Always used his space when on the ball to try and play in one of his team-mates.
Pirlo: 5 - Started off wonderfully, but quickly faded into darkness as the game wore on.
Ronaldinho: 6 - Was up and down for a lot of the match. The Brazilian's fancy footwork resulted in a few excellent through-balls, but Ronnie is far from the man he once was, despite what the media may say. Just does not have the legs to run past people any more.
Borriello: 5 - Looked extremely agile when the match began, but had a terrible time of it as he was inches from putting the ball in the net time and time again. Could have scored on a few occasions, but it simply was not his night.
Pato: 7 - Extremely dangerous when on the ball. Almost scored very early in the game and connected wonderfully with Abate several times. Milan struggled to get the ball around as much as they should have, but one has to wonder if Pato could have scored should he have seen more of the ball.
Substitutes
Kaladze: 6 - Stuck his neck out a few times to intercept build-ups from Zurich. Almost scored a nice header from a corner.
Flamini: 6 - Added a new dynamic to the Milan midfield, but it was a bit late in the game and the rest of the legs were clearly getting too tired.
Inzaghi: n/a - Cameo appearance from the veteran.
Stephen Crawford, Goal.com
Get all the latest Champions League news with Goal.com's dedicated page.
Leoni: 6 - Had only one save to make in the entire first half. Always came out confidently to meet crosses and was helplessly sent the wrong way for Ronaldinho's penalty.
Rochat: 3 - Couldn't keep up with Pato and Abate as they linked up well down the right. Saw red after bringing Borriello down in the box, resulting in Ronaldinho's goal.
Tihinen: 7 - Stuck close to Borriello as best as he could, never allowing the striker enough space to let a decent effort fly.
Barmettler: 6 - Picked up a yellow for a cynical tackle in the first half, but played very similar to his center-back partner.
Koch: 6.5 - Very bright at times running down the right, but not so much at others. Kept Ronaldinho quiet for long spells, but lost incentive after the penalty.
Gajic: 8 - Zurich's best player, without a doubt. Outshone the Italian middlemen several times as he pick-pocketed his way to glory. Scored an impeccable free kick and always seemed to be in space when he had the ball. A brilliant shift from a very likable player.
Aegerter: 7 - Always willing to get his hands dirty, Aegerter kept things ticking over in midfield. Pirlo and Ambrosini found it very difficult to maneuver against Aegerter and Okonkwo.
Okonkwo: 7 - Great distribution, always looked to do something positive with the ball.
Nikci: 6.5 - His inexperience was evident, but his performance was very positive at times. Ran well and had good control. Could have done better on one particular occasion when he went one-on-one with Dida.
Alphonse: 5 - Wasted a good number of shots and howled for a penalty after a failed attempt at goal in the first half. Held the ball up well, though.
Djuric: 6 - Always looked to offer himself as an option down the left. Often seen making runs, but was unable to really make his mark on the game before being taken off.
Substitutes
Lampi: 5 - Was sent on to replace the dismissed Rochat. Put in a decent shift, but was troubled by Pato and Abate at times.
Margairaz: n/a
Vonlanthen: n/a
AC MILAN
Dida: 5 - Fumbled a few grabs and could have done better for Gajic's free-kick.
Antonini: 8 - Stunning performance from the full-back. Antonini will have Milan managers wondering why they ever left this player out of the side. Was unlucky not to score several times after getting in behind the defense. Ran his legs off all night and always provided Ronaldinho with options.
Thiago Silva: n/a - Injured early in the first half.
Nesta: 5.5 - Always good with one-on-ones, but was beaten a few times by speedy attackers. Could have suffered more has Alphonse been a better striker of the ball.
Abate: 6 - Picked up a yellow card for a needless tackle, but ran wonderfully down the right at times to hook up with Pato.
Ambrosini: 5 - Didn't impose himself on the game as he probably should have. Playing against a less experienced midfield, the skipper should have been all over this one.
Seedorf: 7 - If only Seedorf shot more. Big Clarence held the ball up spectacularly well all match, but never seemed to have the feet to let a shot fly. Always used his space when on the ball to try and play in one of his team-mates.
Pirlo: 5 - Started off wonderfully, but quickly faded into darkness as the game wore on.
Ronaldinho: 6 - Was up and down for a lot of the match. The Brazilian's fancy footwork resulted in a few excellent through-balls, but Ronnie is far from the man he once was, despite what the media may say. Just does not have the legs to run past people any more.
Borriello: 5 - Looked extremely agile when the match began, but had a terrible time of it as he was inches from putting the ball in the net time and time again. Could have scored on a few occasions, but it simply was not his night.
Pato: 7 - Extremely dangerous when on the ball. Almost scored very early in the game and connected wonderfully with Abate several times. Milan struggled to get the ball around as much as they should have, but one has to wonder if Pato could have scored should he have seen more of the ball.
Substitutes
Kaladze: 6 - Stuck his neck out a few times to intercept build-ups from Zurich. Almost scored a nice header from a corner.
Flamini: 6 - Added a new dynamic to the Milan midfield, but it was a bit late in the game and the rest of the legs were clearly getting too tired.
Inzaghi: n/a - Cameo appearance from the veteran.
Stephen Crawford, Goal.com
Get all the latest Champions League news with Goal.com's dedicated page.
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