* Jankulovski 45 (M), Pato 56 (M), Borriello 73 (M), Djuric 78 (Z)
Stadio Meazza, UEFA Cup
Milan is not always convincing but eased the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti with a crucial 3-1 victory over FC Zurich at San Siro, UEFA Cup. The pressure in Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was intense after the Rossoneri's dismal start to the Serie A season.
Defeat against Bologna and Genoa had left the Diavolo in difficulty and in extreme need to win to begin their European campaign against the party Empoli dumped from the competition last year. Nelson Dida again between the posts in place of Christian Abbiati, while Gianluca Zambrotta is rested.
Gennaro Gattuso was recovered from a broken wrist to sit on the bench, while Andrea Pirlo, Pippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Nesta are sidelined. Kaka was on the ground behind Marco Borriello who was preferred to Andriy Shevchenko, and Alexandre Pato.
Milan was fired and is poured forward from the first whistle with the goalkeeper reach across a ball just ahead of Shevchenko. Kaka won a corner and Zurich struggled to hook the ball clear, but finally saw off the danger. Dida returned to the Rossoneri goal and he caught a cross with authority before Marek Jankulovksi forced a corner at the other end. Kakha Kaladze came to the first ball from the corner kick but his effort was blocked by the keeper.
Ancelotti's men are doing all management fees and can not be faulted for effort but were struggling to find the breakthrough in the game reached the half-hour mark. Milan were handed over to leave a huge takeoff in 36 minutes as Stahel compensated only to see his effort rejected headed by a highly questionable decision outside.
The Diavolo were under pressure but struck right at the end of the first half half when Shevchenko's shot was pushed Jankulovski, who concealed the rebound off across a defender. After a tough half, Milan were slightly fortunate to be ahead but should have been immediately 2-0 in the second period when Ambrosini misfired from close range after Kaka term.
The home side were looking more confident but Zurich is to say, almost levelled when Alphonse hit the post with a header from a free kick with Dida floundering. Milan and the Swiss pay face when he blasted home a duck free-kick pass from 25 yards out to make it 2-0.
The young Brazilian left the pitch to a warm ovation after 10 minutes to be replaced by Borriello. Former Genoa man is determined to make an impression but saw their appeals for a penalty hailed hope away. But Borriello did strike when Shevchenko dribble to the line and cut the ball back to the Neapolitan Marksman fire home for 3-0. Ronaldinho then came to replace Sheva as the celebrations ended.
Just as the home fans began to relax, outside Zurich grabbed a goal with a spectacular strike Djuric away. This is a rocket that beat Dida to his left and bulge the net.
Zurich tried to reduce its arrears and still more came forward in numbers, but that is almost scored when Milan and Kaka connected Jankulovski and a hit ball was headed toward the goal of Seedorf. Only a miracle saved frokm Leoni denied the Dutch.
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