On Wednesday afternoon Milan took to the field at the Sant Elia in Sardinia and to the surprise of
many observers, a certain Alexander Merkel was included amongst the starting eleven. Not since
Alexander Pato in 2008 have Milan fielded such a young player in the first team for a competitive
match. After three years, [.
Diego Bonera had a nightmare game. Alexis Sanchez, Antonio Di Natale, and German St Denis were
beneficiaries of some very shoddy defensive work by the central defender.
The second goal by Di Natale highlighted a poor defensive sequence as Clarence Seedorf was
stripped and Di Natale scampered down the field to leave Bonera hopelessly out of position.
Peter Crouch might have scored the goal but the architect was Aaron Lennon bursting forth
leaving Mario Yepes sprawling in his wake.
Spurs shrugged off the loss of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale as they went on the offensive through
Rafael Van der Vaart with Sandro and Wilson Palacios bolstering the midfield.
The Seleccao were unable to find their way around a tough Venezuelan defense. Alexander Pato
spurned a couple of very good chances. Neymar was ineffective down the left and Ganso was
underwhelming in his role as playmaker. Robinho was dire. Mano Menezes brought in veteran Elano
after half time but there was no change in potency.
Chelsea followed up on Frank Lampard's urgency for Champions League glory by opening their
campaign with an impressive 2-0 win at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Second half goals from David Luiz and summer signing Juan Manuel Mata sealed all three points
for Andre Villas-Boas' men at Stamford Bridge at the expense of their German visitors.
Barcelona's quest to become the first team in history to retain the UEFA Champions League got
off to a rocky start with a draw to AC Milan as the home side conceded both in the first minute and
deep into second-half stoppage time.
Alexander Pato put visiting AC Milan ahead after just 25 seconds with an expertly taken
goal.
AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has finally spoken out on the Carlos Tevez transfer saga saying
that the Argentine has the choice between joining a prestigious side like Milan or moving to a club
that is able to meet his financial requirements.
Commanding a weekly wage of £200,000, Tevez does not come cheap and it is this fact that it the
bone of contention between his club City and Milan.
Carlo Ancelotti is set to take over as PSG coach after he was flown into the French capital to
discuss a possible deal that would see him coach the mega rich Ligue 1 side.
The former AC Milan and Chelsea coach was among the people considered for the top job after
reports arose claiming that current coach Antoine Kombouare was dismssed.
