Champions League: Zurich 1:1 AC Milan - match report

Source: Football Italia

Scorers: Gajic 30 (Z), Ronaldinho pen 64 (M)

Ronaldinho's penalty avoided defeat to 10-man Zurich in a 1-1 draw and Milan qualify above all thanks to Real Madrid's victory in Marseille.

The Rossoneri went into the final round of this very tight group needing a victory to be certain of qualification, although a draw would be enough depending on the result between Marseille and Real Madrid. Gianluca Zambrotta sat out a ban, joining the injured Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Oddo and Oguchi Onyewu, so Luca Antonini and Ignazio Abate were the full-backs. Ronaldinho and Massimo Ambrosini started despite fitness concerns, while Zurich missed the suspended Florian Stahel and injured Eric Hassli.

Milan's shirt did not have a sponsor, as in Switzerland it is illegal to advertise betting sites.

Alexandre Pato nearly scored the opener after seven minutes, as Marco Borriello only glanced at Antonelli's cross from the left, so The Duck's low volley at the back post came off goalkeeper Leoni's feet.

Nikci drilled wide, but there was bad news when Thiago Silva suffered a recurring muscular problem and made way for Kakha Kaladze, meaning Alessandro Nesta was the only first choice member of the defence.

Nelson Dida smothered a weak Alphonse effort and Pato ballooned over when he slipped at the crucial moment.

Thiago Silva's absence made a big difference, as Kaladze allowed Alphonse to burst through the middle and, fortunately for Milan, fire off target when one-on-one with Dida.

Zurich were pushing and took the lead after 29 minutes, as a missile of a Milan Gajic free kick from 20 metres went round the defensive wall and in at the near post. Dida appeared to be unsighted and didn't react until it was too late.

This goal means that Leonardo's men have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10 European games, matching the unfortunate club record set between November 1955 and November 1957.

Milan fought back, as Marco Borriello hooked down a Clarence Seedorf pass with his back to goal and spun round to fire over.

At the other end Dida fumbled an Okonkwo blockbuster from distance as it was whizzing towards the top corner, but blocked it essentially under his body before it could cross the line.

Rochat sprung the offside trap on a slide-rule pass and pulled it back past Dida, but Nesta performed an acrobatic clearance just in front of the line.

After the restart, Ambrosini nodded a Ronaldinho corner just off target. Dinho created another great chance, as he gathered from Seedorf and the angled drive was kept out by a strong Leoni hand. The ball continued to ricochet around the box with Borriello and Seedorf shots charged down.

Ambrosini was a doubt to start after suffering from flu symptoms and forced Leonardo into a second substitution, introducing Mathieu Flamini. At least there was good news from Marseille, as Real Madrid went 2-1 up on the hour mark.

Moments after that story filtered through, Milan received a penalty. Seedorf's slide-rule pass sent Borriello clear on goal and Rochat tripped the striker from practically the penalty spot, earning a red card. Ronaldinho took the kick and sent Leoni the wrong way with a powerful daisy-cutter.

Andrea Pirlo's free kick was whipped into the six-yard box for Kaladze to nod wide. News also filtered through that Marseille's Lucho Gonzalez hit a penalty against the crossbar.

Milan had several shots charged down within the same move, while Borriello nodded wide. In stoppages Leoni batted away a header from substitute Pippo Inzaghi.

Zurich: Leoni; Koch, Barmettler, Tihinen, Rochat; Okonkwo, Aegerter, Gajic (Margairaz 82); Djuric (Lampi 66), Alphonse, Nikci (Vonlanthen 74)

Milan: Dida; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva (Kaladze 19), Antonini; Ambrosini (Flamini 55), Pirlo; Seedorf; Pato, Borriello (Inzaghi 84), Ronaldinho

Ref: Proenca (Por)

Sent off: Rochat 63 (Z)