Bojinov Stunner Piles More Misery On Milan

Milan's poor showing during their pre-season friendies shows no sign of letting up following their latest shambles against a decent City side.

The Rossoneri were out of ideas and generally poor in a match which hardly lived up to all the hype, leaving Carlo Ancelotti with plenty to think about following this latest set-back

First Half
Milan got the game underway in front of a packed City of Manchester stadium on a typical British summer day - wet and dull.   However, unlike the weather, the game got off to a good start with the visitors doing most of the running and creating the play early on.  

The first real chance fell to 18-year-old striker Alberto Paloschi. The youth team product was fed through beautifully by Andrea Pirlo. However, City goalkeeper Joe Hart did enough to make himself big and smother the chance.  

The Rossoneri continued to press the home side with Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Paloschi all linking up well. The movement off the ball was brilliant but, once again, Hart pulled off another fine save to deny Paloschi who was causing City problems in the final third.  

The home side then had the chance to take the lead but Elano and Darius Vassel couldn’t decide on who was going to shoot and the opportunity fizzled out.

The pace of the game slowed down a little towards the end of the first period but Mark Hughes' side kept plugging away and eventually they found a break through.  

Ironically it was former Juventus striker Valeri Bojinov who gave his side the lead from a something-out-of-nothing chance.   Milan failed to deal with a throw-in and Mathieu Flamini allowed the ball to bounce rather than clear it. It fell kindly to Bojinov and he smashed a half volley into the top-corner from 12 yards.  

Nelson Dida had no chance as he could only watch the thunderbolt rattle the net.  

Milan tried to get back into the game before half time but the opposition held on to take a slender lead into the break.  

Second Half  

The second period began in much the same way as the first had ended. Viudez came on for Milan and the Uruguayan tried to dribble his way to goal before he was stopped by Richards.  

Rino Gattuso then tried to create an opening but his cross which was aimed at Seedorf was cut out.  

City always looked dangerous on the break as Milan chased the game and left themselves open to counter-attacks.  

The game seemed to fizzle out as the clock ticked on with Milan looking flat and out of ideas. No-one really wanted to take the game by the scruff of the neck as the home side started to sit back, frustrating their opponents.

Ancelotti's men were wasteful and chances few and far between. City deserved the win as Milan go home with their egos battered and bruised.

Teams: Manchester City: Hart Richards(Hamann) Ball (Dunne) Onuoha, Ben Haim, Elano (Ireland), Fernandez, Johnson, Garrido, (Etuhu) Bojinov, Vassell.

Milan: Dida, Zambrotta, Bonera, Maldini, Jankulovski, Gattuso, Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Paloschi.(Viudez)

Goals: Bojinov(Manchester City)