UEFA Champions League Title Holders AC Milan Lose To Celtic FC
UEFA Champions League title holders AC Milan were handed their first loss in the UEFA Champions League group stages by Scottish Premiership champions Celtic FC in an exhilirating match at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland that really went down the wire for a last minute goal.
The start of the match saw AC Milan having more possession of the ball, and accordingly had a number of attempts on the Celtic goal. Milan’s Kaka and Andrea Pirlo were orchestrating moves in the midfield with Clarence Seedorf and Filippo Inzaghi threatenting at the striking position.
In the second half, Celtic came out eager to pose more of a threat with Aiden McGeady prominent down the right flanks. However, Celtic were exposed at the back, and Milan’s Inzaghi almost capitalised with a flashing shot from Massimo Oddo’s cross. In the 55th minute, AC Milan were dealt a painful blow when Clarence Seedorf got injured and had to be replaced by Yoann Gourcuff. 
In the 62nd minute, Celtic was able to break the deadlock when Paul Hartley’s corner cross threatened inside the box. Celtic’s captain Stephen McManus was open at the far post to chase after the ball while Milan keeper Nelson Dida had come off his line. Milan’s Yoann Gourcuff tried to stop the ball from reaching McManus, but instead tapped the ball in the net to credit him with an own goal and a 1-0 advantage for Celtic.
Milan almost equlaised with Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick deflecting off the wall, but Celtic keeper Artur Boruc pushed it over the crossbar. Milan’s equaliser came soon enough. Celtic’s Lee Naylor was adjudged to have pulled down Massimo Ambrosini inside the penalty area on the 68th minute, and Kaká coolly converted the spot-kick.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan threw on Shunsuke Nakamura and Chris Killen for the closing stages to try and give Celtic some offensive power. The match seemed to be headed for a draw, but on the 90th minute Celtic’s Gary Caldwell was able to threaten the Milan goal. Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida was able to react to stop the shot, but wasn’t able to hold on to the ball which landed in front of the Milan goal. Celtic’s Australian forward Scott McDonald was able to advance to the ball and slot it in with Dida still on the ground. Celtic FC fans at the Ibrox Stadium went delerious as Celtic collected the 3 points defeating UEFA Champions League title holders AC Milan 2-1.
Incidentally, a Celtic FC ran across the pitch following the McDonald goal, and slightly “slapped” goalkeeper Nelson Dida on the face. A frustrated and irate Dida thought about going after the fan, but instead flopped down to the ground and pretendedto be knocked out and in pain. Dida was brought out on a stretcher. Whatever.
Celtic’s win ties them with AC Milan in the second place ranking of Group D with 3 points each. Group D’s leaders are Ukraninan Premier League’s runner-up Shaktar Donetsk, whose 1-0 victory over Portugese Superliga club SL Benfica gives them 6 points. SL Benfica still don’t have any points after two matchdays in the group stages of the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League.
Scottish Premier League champions Celtic FC will have to travel to Lisbon, Portugal for their next UEFA Champions League match on October 24 against SL Benfica.
Italian Serie A club and UEFA Champions League title hodlers AC Milan will have the home court advantage at the San Siro Stadium when they host Group D leaders Shaktar Donetsk.
To bet on Celtic FC vs. SL Benfica, AC Milan cs. Shaktar Donetsk and other group stage matches of the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League season, click here.
