MX23RW : Wednesday, June 26 17:43:46| >> :600:27981862:27981862:

Match Analysis: Zenit St. Petersburg 2-3 AC Milan

Match Analysis: Zenit 2-3 AC Milan
© PA Photos
Sports Mole takes a look back at AC Milan's late victory over Zenit St Petersburg, which ended the Russian side's European unbeaten record at home.

AC Milan have ruined Zenit St Petersburg's European unbeaten home record by snatching a 3-2 victory at the Stadion Petrovski tonight.

The Serie A outfit started off brightly but experienced a nervy first half after letting the Russian outfit back into the contest.

Sports Mole takes a look back at the 90 minutes of action from the Group C clash.

Match statistics

Zenit St. Petersburg
Shots: 19
On Target: 11
Possession: 52%
Corners: 13
Fouls: 17

AC Milan
Shots: 14
On Target: 7
Possession: 48%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 13

Was the result fair?

For large parts of the match, you would have to argue that the result was slightly unfair to Zenit considering their first-half comeback. From the statistics the home side had the majority of possession and more shots on goal than their Italian opponents, but the Serie A side were able to defend when it mattered.

Zenit St. Petersburg's performance

The Russian outfit looked lost in the middle of the park for the first 20 minutes but they soon grew into the game and controlled the contest, which enabled them to get star striker Hulk into good positions to threaten. Despite coming from 2-0 down to equalise, the home side did let Milan get back into match, which was costly.

AC Milan's performance

Milan looked like they were going to dominate after going two goals to the good in the first half an hour but they slowly lost their attacking threat and were largely kept in the game by their goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Despite a tough test, the seven-times champions were able to defend in numbers and take their chances when they came about.

Referee's performance

German official Felix Brych had an inconsistent game. While the referee let the game flow quite well, the German was quick to caution players and ended up issuing seven yellow cards over the course of 90 minutes. Brych also waved away two penalty claims - one from either side - which in hindsight should have been given.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Milan goalkeeper Abbiati kept his side in the game in the first half by executing some vital saves. The Serie A keeper was under hoards of pressure from the home team and while the shot-stopper let in two goals, he also prevented Zenit from grabbing a late equaliser.

Biggest gaffe

This would have to go to Tomas Hubocan, who's own goal gave Milan the vital three points in Group C. While the shot coming in was difficult to deal with, Hubocan's desire to stop Giampaolo Pazzini from scoring backfired as the ball bounced off him and into his own net.

What's next?

Zenit St. Petersburg: Zenit will hope to regain their home form and pick up some much-needed points when they welcome Anderlecht on October 24.

AC Milan: The Italians are away again when they travel to Malaga in three weeks' time as they hope to stay at the top of the group.

ID:48267: cacheID:48267:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4871:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Christian Abbiati
Read Next:
Zenit St. Petersburg 2-3 AC Milan
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Wednesday, June 26
 
8pm
Saturday, June 29
 
5pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 30
Monday, July 1
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 2
 
8pm
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Romania Romania21013
2 Belgium Belgium21013
3 Slovakia Slovakia21013
4 Ukraine Ukraine21013

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal22006
2 Turkey Turkey21013
3 Czech Republic Czech Republic20111
4 Georgia Georgia20111


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!