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Seedorf Suffers Champions League Shock At The San Siro

 

Diego Costa’s away goal earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over AC Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 encounter.

The hosts created the better of the early chances at the San Siro, but were unable to find a way past an inspired Thibaut Courtois.

The Belgian goalkeeper, on loan at Atletico from Chelsea, produced two stunning first half stops – tipping a stinging drive from Kaka onto the crossbar before going on to push an Andrea Poli header onto the base of the post.

Kaka also grazed the top of the net after combining with Mario Balotelli, while the latter fizzed a curling effort inches past the post as Milan knocked on the door without being able to swing it open.

That remained the case in the second period, with Kaka drilling across the face of goal and Michael Essien planting a free header wide of the upright.

Milan were left to rue their inability to turn pressure into goals seven minutes from time when an Atletico corner was touched on at the near post and Costa back-pedalled to nod powerfully past Christian Abbiati.

For much of the contest it seemed Clarence Seedorf’s unrivalled Champions League pedigree might well guide Milan to a valuable win, but the Dutchman – four times a winner of this competition as a player – will have come away hugely frustrated after seeing his charges slip to a damaging defeat.