> UEFA Champions League 07-08

b/w boogie man in daylight

Milan defeated by last-gasp McDonald

Celtic FC beat holders AC Milan 2-1 to earn their first points in UEFA Champions League Group D on a tense night in Glasgow.


Late drama
Yoann Gourcuff's own goal had given the Scottish champions the edge early in the second half but Kaká cancelled this out from the penalty spot. However, the match was decided in the 90th minute when Scott McDonald popped up to score from close range.

Surprise factor
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan had sprung a surprise by selecting Jiří Jarošík for his first game since April with Shunsuke Nakamura among the substitutes having failed to overcome a knee injury. The Czech international was deployed on the left of a five-man midfield with Scott Brown given the extra responsibility of joining McDonald in attack.

Kaká class
Massimo Donati had been looking forward to the reunion with his former team-mates ever since the draw was made, and the midfielder showed his intent with an early drive which Dida smothered to his right. The last time these clubs had met, in the knockout stage last term, Kaká had proved to be the difference and Milan's brilliant Brazilian almost produced a replica of his extra-time winner at the San Siro in the 19th minute. Surging away from Donati and Paul Hartley, he unleashed a right-foot shot which Artur Boruc gathered at the second attempt.

Pressure
The attack prompted a period of prolonged possession for Carlo Ancelotti's ensemble, with Kaká and Andrea Pirlo orchestrating moves from midfield. Just after the half-hour Clarence Seedorf almost unlocked the home defence with a deft chip over the top aimed for Filippo Inzaghi, but the striker failed to control and the ball squirted to safety on the greasy surface.

End to end
After a cat-and-mouse finish to the first half, Celtic came out eager to pose more of a threat with Aiden McGeady prominent down the right. In so doing, however, Strachan's men were leaving themselves exposed at the back and Inzaghi almost capitalised with a flashing shot from Massimo Oddo's cross. The Rossoneri were dealt a blow ten minutes after the restart when Gourcuff replaced the injured Seedorf, yet even without the Dutchman the holders still menaced. Kaká