Diego Costa marked an historic victory in Milan
Atletico Madrid dealt a major blow to AC Milan in the first leg of the knockout stages. Diego Costa got the goal which gave his side victory but special praise goes to Courtois who made some important saves in both the first and second halves.
MILAN 0-1 ATLETICO MADRID
Milan: Abbiati; De Sciglio (Abate, 25'), Rami, Bonera, Emanuelson, De Jong, Essien, Poly (Constant, 85'), Kaka, Taarabt, and Balotelli (Pazzini, 77')
Atletico Madrid: Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Insua, Gabi, Mario Suarez, Arda Turan (Cristian Rodriguez, 74'), Raul Garcia (Adrian, 80'), Koke, and Diego Costa.
Referee: Proenca (Portugal ) .
THE GOAL :
0-1. 83mins Diego Costa
A great Atletico Madrid took an important step in the knockout round by defeating AC Milan in the San Siro. Excellent work by the whole team in defense before landing the killer blow late in the second half. Courtois saved well on numerous occasions before Diego Costa got the goal.
Atletico Madrid were very focused in the San Siro, were pressuring seizing the ball and creating chances whenever the team approached the area of Abbiati . In the first minutes there was a big call for the Portuguese referee to make as Raul Garcia went down in the area, but the official didnt point to the spot.
The first shot from the Italians came from distance, Balotelli sent in a free kick that was deflected. Milan created more danger after a quarter of an hour, with two moves involving Kaka. The first a shot from outside the area but Courtois saved with his finger tips, deflecting the ball against the post. Two minutes later a cross from Essien was headed by Kaka but he couldn’t beat the Belgian wall.
The first half was even with the clearest chance coming for the Italian side but they were denied by Courtois. After the break, Atletico Madrid came out with more strength, taking the ball to Milan and arriving with danger to Abbiati’s goal. A bicycle kick from Diego Costa after a cross from Gabi went over the crossbar.
As the econd half progressed, Atletico were getting closer and closer to breaking the deadlock and the goal finally arrive with 83 minutes on the clock. A corner from Koke was turned home by Diego Costa with a superb header at the back post, where Miranda was about to connect. The goal did justice to what was a great in the second half in which Atletico were superior to Milan, achieving an historic victory.
