2011–12 A.C. Milan season

The 2011–12 season is Associazione Calcio Milan's 78th season in Serie A, and their 29th consecutive season in the top-flight of Italian football. Milan are the defending Serie A champions, and will be aiming for their 19th scudetto this season.

As the current Serie A champions, Milan began their season contesting in the Supercoppa Italiana against Coppa Italia holders Internazionale, winning the match 2–1. Milan also compete in the Champions League and in the Coppa Italia as well.

Pre-season and friendlies

Milan began their pre-season training at Milanello on Tuesday, 12 July.^[2] The following week, on 20 July, they contested the first friendly, an away match against neighboring side Solbiatese Arno. The Rossoneri easily won with a score of 12–0.^[3]

As part of the Audi Cup, Milan then played two friendlies against Bayern Munich and Internacional at the Allianz Arena in Munich, on 26 and 27 July, respectively. The first game finished 1–1. Zlatan Ibrahimović opened the scoring only for Toni Kroos to equalise late in the first half; subsequently, Milan lost 5–3 on penalties, with Alberto Paloschi committing the only, and eventually deciding, error.^[4] The second game was a 2–2 draw. Ibrahimović once again opened the scoring, before Leandro Damião equalised in the 20th minute, and then Milan took a new lead through Alexandre Pato in the 60th minute only for Andrés D'Alessandro to tie the game ten minutes from time. The Rossoneri were defeated 2–0 on penalties, being unable to convert any of their four attempts.^[5]

After travelling to China, where they played their first competitive match of the season, a 2–1 win over city rivals FC Internazionale Milano in the Supercoppa Italiana on 6 August,^[6] Milan resumed their pre-season schedule facing Malmö in Sweden on 14 August. The Rossoneri took the lead in 27th minute, when Urby Emanuelson raced into the box and crossed the ball to Antonio Cassano, who easily headed it in. Malmö equalised nine minutes later through Jimmy Durmaz, with a curled shot from just outside the penalty area, and three minutes into the second half they also took a 2–1 lead, when Tobias Malm stole the ball in midfield, combined with Alexander Nilsson and finally beat Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Milan, however, managed to equalised in the last minute of the game, as a cross by Cassano was headed in by youth team player Kingsley Boateng. With no extra time, the match was to be decided by a 3–kick penalty shoot-out, which Milan won 3–2, as Abbiati pulled off a save on Malmö's third attempt.^[7][8][9]

Four days later, Milan was back in Italy to play the TIM Trophy. They took on Juventus in the second game of the evening, after the latter had lost the first game to Internazionale on penalties. Milan took the lead in the 13th minute through Antonio Cassano, but Juventus fought back equalising eight minutes later with Arturo Vidal and scoring the winning goal in injury time through Alessandro Matri. The Rossoneri also lost the third and final game against Inter, with Diego Milito scoring the lone goal, thus allowing them to win the trophy.^[10]

Milan concluded their pre-season with the annual Luigi Berlusconi Trophy, in which they played against Juventus at the San Siro on Sunday, 21 August. Kevin-Prince Boateng opened the scoring for the Rossoneri in the 9th minute, volleying past Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon a cross by Ignazio Abate. Fourteen minutes later, Milan doubled their lead, as Clarence Seedorf scored with a curled free-kick off the post. In the second half, Milan players looked more tired and Juventus managed to pull one back through Mirko Vucinic, but the Rossoneri held on to win the game 2–1.^[11]

However, following the players' strike that forced the postponement of the first weekend of league fixtures,^[12] Milan announced they would play another friendly match, away against Como, on 1 September.^[13] The Rossoneri took the lead in the 22nd minute through Massimo Ambrosini, who was set up by Stephan El Shaarawy, but the hosts equalised two minutes later with a goal from Umberto Miello. In the second half, Urby Emanuelson converted a penalty to give Milan the final lead.^[14]

On January 4, 2012 Milan played their first game of the new year with a friendly against French side Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in Dubai for the Emirates Challenge. The game got off to a good start for Milan as Ibrahimović drew the goalkeeper out of his goal and passed to Pato for the opener in the 4th minute. The game progressed with neither team looking much better than the other, but both could not convert anymore chances and the game ended 1-0 in Milan's favor.^[15]

Supercoppa Italiana

As Serie A Champions, Milan kicked their season off with an appearance in the Supercoppa Italiana, facing Coppa Italia holders, Internazionale at the Beijing National Stadium on 6 August.^[17] Inter took the lead after 21 minutes with a 25-yard free kick by Wesley Sneijder. Later on, the Rossoneri nearly leveled the score when a header by Ibrahimović struck the post. On the hour mark, anyway, Milan managed to equalise, as Ibrahimović headed into an empty net a cross by Clarence Seedorf. Ten minutes later, a shot by Alexandre Pato was deflected by Inter goalkeeper Júlio César on the post only for Kevin-Prince Boateng to convert from close range, setting the final score to 2–1.^[6] For Milan, it was the sixth time they won the trophy, making them the most successful club in the history of the competition.^[18]

Serie A

The fixtures for the 2011–12 Serie A season were announced by the Lega Serie A on 27 July.^[20] Milan were to kick-off their schedule away at Cagliari on Saturday, 27 August, but following a strike declared by Serie A players over the lack of a collective bargaining agreement, the first day of the league season has been postponed to a future date.^[12]

Following another week off for an international break, Milan started their season, playing host to Lazio on Friday, 9 September. A few minutes into the game, newly-signed Alberto Aquilani broke into the Lazio penalty area, but one on one with goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri, he fired straight at him. Instead, it was Lazio who took the lead, as in 12th minute Miroslav Klose took down Stefano Mauri's cross, turned inside Alessandro Nesta and beat goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Less than ten minutes later Lazio scored again through Djibril Cissé, who headed in another cross by Mauri. Milan pulled one back in the 29th minute, when Antonio Cassano, set up by Aquilani inside the box, passed the ball to Zlatan Ibrahimović for the tap in. Four minutes later, Cassano himself tied the game with a header from a corner. Eighteen minutes into the second half, Cassano went close to find the winning goal, hitting the outside of the left post. Lazio had a chance of his own two minutes later, as Cissé nudged the ball past Abbiati and heading to the goal, before Nesta managed to touch it wide. The match finished in a 2–2 draw.^[21]

For the next game, Milan travelled to Naples to take on Napoli in the evening of Sunday, 18 September. Both teams had played Champions League ties in midweek, Milan drawing 2–2 at Barcelona on Tuesday and Napoli drawing 1–1 at Manchester City on Wednesday. The Rossoneri were also in the midst of an injury crisis, with as many as seven players out,^[22] including the previuos season topscorer Zlatan Ibrahimović. Nonetheless, Milan took the lead eleven minutes into the game through Alberto Aquilani, who scored his first goal for the club, heading Antonio Cassano's cross past Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis. The hosts reaction came only two minutes later, as Edinson Cavani found the equaliser following a free-kick. Napoli started to press forward and in the 36th minute they went ahead with another goal by Cavani on a fast-paced counter attack. Milan had a chance to pull level when Aquilani was once again set up inside the box by Cassano, but the effort was denied by De Sanctis' save. A few minutes after the break, Cavani completed his hat-trick, making it 3–1 after Milan's defence failed to clear the ball inside the area. The Rossoneri tried to fight back but produced no major threats until the final whistle.^[23]

Three days later, Milan took the field again, playing host to unbeaten Udinese at the San Siro. The Rossoneri lost Alexandre Pato to an injury in the 21st minute and eight minutes later they went down 1–0, as goalkeeper Christian Abbiati failed to control a cross by Gabriel Torje and fumbled the ball to Antonio Di Natale for an empty net tap in. Moments before the interval Milan nearly leveled the score, when a free-kick from just outside the penalty area by Clarence Seedorf struck the post to the left of goalkeeper Samir Handanović. Eighteen minutes into the second half, the Rossoneri did tie the game: Antonio Cassano set up Stephan El Shaarawy inside the box and the Italian-Egyptian fired home a low drive to the far post. Udinese did not give up and had three chances to win before the final whistle, hitting the woodwork once and then forcing Abbiati to make two crucial saves to preserve the 1–1 tie.^[24]

Pato's absence intensified Milan's already deep injury crisis, as he joined strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho, midfielders Massimo Ambrosini, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Gennaro Gattuso and Mathieu Flamini and defenders Luca Antonini, Daniele Bonera and Philippe Mexes on the sidelines.^[25] Nontheless, on Saturday, 24 September Milan achieved their first league win of the season, beating Cesena 1–0 at the San Siro. Clarence Seedorf scored the lone goal, firing a 25-yard curled shot, following a corner kick.^[26]

After defeating Viktoria Plzeň in their midweek Champions League game, Milan travelled to the Juventus Stadium in Turin to take on a still-unbeaten Juventus on Sunday, 2 October. The hosts created several scoring chances in the first half and came close to scoring in the 37th minute, as Mirko Vučinić hit the crossbar with a right-footed shot from the edge of the area. The home side came close to scoring again moments before the break, but Vucinic's drive went just wide of the far post. Juventus kept pressing forward after the break and nearly scored with Leonardo Bonucci, whose was palmed over the bar by Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Milan then had an opportunity of their own, but Kevin-Prince Boateng was denied Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Three minutes from time, however, Juventus eventually took the lead: Daniele Bonera's clearence deflected off Claudio Marchisio and into the net. Seconds later, the Rossoneri were left down to ten man with Boateng being sent off for second yellow card. In injury time, Marchisio set the final score to 2–0, as his volley from outside the box went in between Abbiati's legs.^[27]

After a break for international, Milan played host to Palermo on Saturday, 15 October. The Rossoneri were dangerous from the whistle, with Zlatan Ibrahimović and Antonio Cassano forcing a couple of saves from opposing goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas. Tzorvas also denied Robinho in the 38th minute, parrying an initial shot straight back to the Brazilian and then deflecting the follow-up effort. However, Milan took the lead one minute later: Ibrahimović provided a cross to Alberto Aquilani, who headed the ball to Antonio Nocerino for a close range tap-in. Ibrahimović also provided the assist for Milan's second goal in the 55th minute, delivering a pin-point pass to Robinho who beat Tzorvas one-on-one. Eight minutes later, Cassano set the final score to 3–0, firing home a pass from Ignazio Abate.^[28]

After defeating BATE Borisov in their Champions League game, Milan traveled to the Stadio Via del Mare on Sunday, 23 October to take on Lecce, whom they had not beaten away from home in 10 years. Guillermo Giacomazzi gave Lecce the lead in the 4th minute, with a deft headed flick from Carlos Grossmüller's inswinging free-kick taking the ball past goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Milan had a couple of chances but could not convert them, and in the 30th minute Abbiati was called for a foul on Daniele Corvia after he spilled a caught ball from a corner, with the referee awarding a penalty, even though replays seemed to show that it was a dive by the player. Former Milan player Massimo Oddo converted to put Lecce up 2-0. Milan continued to make defensive mistakes when in the 37th minute Luca Antonini let his blocked ball slip to Grossmüller who fired hom to make it 3-0 for Lecce before halftime. The second half began with Kevin-Prince Boateng and Alberto Aquilani replacing Massimo Ambrosini and Robinho. These substitutions proved crucial, as Boateng scored an hat-trick within a span of 14 minutes to put Milan level at 3-3, before Mario Yepes converted a cross by Antonio Cassano with a header into the top right corner to complete Milan's comeback in the 83rd minute.^[29]

Three days later, Milan played host to Parma at the San Siro. Milan started the game with confidence, controlling much of the play and in the 30th minute Antonio Nocerino gave Milan the lead with a left-footed shot into the bottem left corner of the net after the ball rebounded off a Parma player. He doubled his tally 2 minutes later with a left-footed stike from outside the box, making the scoreline 2-0 for Milan. In the 73rd minute Zlatan Ibrahimović added to Milan's lead with a right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner, assisted by Antonio Cassano with a headed pass following a fast break. Five minutes later though, Sebastian Giovinco scored a consolation goal for Parma as he threaded the ball through Christian Abbiati's legs to make it 3-1. Yet, in the dying minutes of the game, Nocerino completed his hat-trick with a headed goal into the bottom left corner of Antonio Mirante's net to win it for Milan 4-1.^[30]

Milan completed a three-game week visiting the Stadio Olimpico to take on Roma on Saturday, 29 October. The Rossoneri started the game well, getting ahead in the 17th minute with Zlatan Ibrahimović who got behind an Alberto Aquilani cross from the right and placed a headed shot into the right side of Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg's net. Roma struggled to break Milan's defence until the 28th minute when Nicolas Burdisso scored his first goal of the season by running into the six-yard box to meet Miralem Pjanic's cross with his head and beating Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Roma's joy was short-lived though, as Milan went back in front two minutes later: Robinho's corner was met by Alessandro Nesta, who nodded past Stekelenburg. In the 65th minute Kevin-Prince Boateng was sent off right after being substituted for saying something to the fourth official. Roma could not get back on terms, and Milan were soon back on the attack and celebrating their third goal as Ibrahimović headed in a cross by Aquilani into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. The game was not over yet though, and in the 87th minute Bojan Krkić struck the ball into the back of the net after Abbiati was unable to hold on to substitute Erik Lamela's strike. Shortly after, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was sent off for protesting about a throw-in, but the game ended with Milan taking the victory by 3-2.^[31]

After drawing 1–1 in their mid–week Champions League game against BATE Borisov, Milan played host to Catania on Sunday, 6 November. Seven minutes into the game, Robinho was brought down by Davide Lanzafame inside the box and Milan were awarded a penalty, which Zlatan Ibrahimović converted for the 1–0 lead. The lead was doubled in the 24th minute through Robinho, who beat Catania's goalkeeper Mariano Andújar on the far post, following a pinpoint pass by Ibrahimović. In the second half, the Rossoneri added other two goals to their tally: in the 69th minute, when Catania's Francesco Lodi deflected Robinho's shot into his own net, and three minutes later through Gianluca Zambrotta, whose left-footed strike made it 4–0.^[32]

Following a two-week break for internationals, Milan resumed his league schedule in Florence to take on Fiorentina on Saturday, 19 November. The game ended in a scoreless draw, though Clarence Seedorf had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, despite replays showing that he actually was in line.^[33] The following week, after losing to Barcelona in a mid–week Champions League game on Wednesday, the Rossoneri defeated Chievo 4–0 at home on Sunday, with first half goals by Thiago Silva, Zlatan Ibrahimović twice and Alexandre Pato.^[34] Milan took the field again to face Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Friday, 2 December. After a goalless first half, Milan went ahead in the 56th minute thanks to a penalty earned and converted by Zlatan Ibrahimović. Eleven minutes from time Antonio Nocerino made it 2–0.^[35]

After playing their last Champions League group stage game, an away draw against Viktoria Plzeň, on Tuesday, Milan travelled to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara to face Bologna on Sunday 11 December. The hosts took the lead in the 11th minute through their captain Marco Di Vaio, who beat Milan back-up goalkeeper Marco Amelia with a long-range lob following a counter-attack. Five minutes later, Kevin-Prince Boateng combined with Clarence Seedorf and the Dutch fired home the equaliser in the top corner from just outside the penalty box. Milan went ahead in the 21st minute of the second half with a penalty earned and converted by Zlatan Ibrahimović. Less than two minutes later, though, Alessandro Diamanti tied the game up again as his angled shot from outside the box was not held by Amelia, setting the final score to 2–2.^[36]

The following week, Milan played host to Siena. The visitors almost went ahead in the 23rd minute, when Francesco Bolzoni tipped the ball past Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia but his shot went outside of the far post. However, nine mintes into the second half, Clarence Seedorf's corner was laid back by Robinho to Antonio Nocerino, who fired home a low shot into the bottom corner to give Milan the lead. Eight minutes later, the Rossoneri were awarded a penalty as Kevin-Prince Boateng was apparently brought down by Siena goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic; Zlatan Ibrahimović stepped up to score from the spot as Milan went on to win the game 2–0.^[37]

Milan played their last game before the winter break away against Cagliari on Tuesday, 20 December. They took the lead four minutes into the games with an own goal by Cagliari defender Francesco Pisano, who deflected Robinho's cross into his own net in an attempt to prevent Antonio Nocerino from reaching the ball. Albin Ekdal nearly leveled the score with a 30-yard shot ten minutes later, but his effort was denied by goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Milan goalkeeper pulled off another save on a header by Victor Ibarbo in the early stages of the second half. On the hour mark, though, Milan doubled their lead, as Zlatan Ibrahimović combined with Robinho and put the ball past Michael Agazzi.^[38]

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Coppa Italia

For the 13th season in a row, Milan will start the Coppa Italia directly in the round of 16, as one the eight best seeded teams.^[41] They will take on Novara, who defeated Catania 3–2 in the fourth preliminary round.^[42]

UEFA Champions League

Group stage

Milan began their UEFA Champions League campaign in the group stage after winning the 2010–11 Serie A title. Due to their UEFA coefficient, they were seeded in Pot 2, among the eight second-best teams.^[43] Milan were drawn in Group H with title-holders Barcelona of Spain, BATE Borisov of Belarus and Viktoria Plzeň of Czech Republic.^[44]

For the opening game, Milan travelled to the Camp Nou to take on Barcelona, on Tuesday, 13 September. The game got off to a quick start, as Alexandre Pato opened the scoring just 24 seconds into the game. The hosts nealry equalised when Lionel Messi's free kick hit the post to the left of goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. However, in the 34th minute, Barcelona did tie the game through Pedro Rodríguez, who tapped in a low cross by Messi. Five minutes into the second half, Barcelona also went ahead with a curled 32-yard free kick by David Villa. In injury time, though, Thiago Silva headed in a corner by Clarence Seedorf to snap up a 2–2 draw.^[45]

Two weeks later, Milan played host to Viktoria Plzeň at the San Siro. The visitors nearly went ahead after only three minutes, when Václav Pilař got past Ignazio Abate and crossed the ball to Marek Bakoš, whose goalbound header was saved by goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Viktoria goalkeeper Marek Čech produces crucial saves of his own during the rest of the first half, repeatedly denying close range efforts by Antonio Cassano and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Eight minutes after the break, however, Milan was awarded a penalty kick for a handball by Marián Čišovský; Ibrahimović stepped up and coverted from the spot. Later on, Ibrahimović brought down a lofted pass and played in Cassano, who tucked the ball past Čech and into the net, setting the final score to 2–0.^[46]

Milan was at home again for the third game, playing against BATE Borisov on Wednesday, 19 October. The hosts got off to a good start, as Alberto Aquilani first sent a shot over the bar four minutes into the game and then struck the post following a combination between Kevin-Prince Boateng and Antonio Cassano. It was BATE, though, who nearly went ahead when Renan Bressan intercepted Mark van Bommel's misplaced pass and was denied by goalkeeper Christian Abbiati one-on-one. Moments later, however, Milan took the lead through Zlatan Ibrahimović who fired home a loose ball after Ignazio Abate's cross was deflected by Artyom Radkov. The Rossoneri scored again in the second half with a strike by Boateng from outside the box, setting the final score to 2–0.^[47]

The two sides met again at the Dynama Stadium in Minsk on Tuesday, 1 November. Milan went ahead after 22 minutes through Zlatan Ibrahimović following a combination with Robinho. The Brazilian had a chance to double the lead five minutes before the break, but his effort struck the post after he had dribbled BATE's goalkeeper Alyaksandr Hutar. Ten minutes into the second half, BATE were awarded a penalty for an unfair challange on Artem Kontsevoy by Ignazio Abate and Renan Bressan converted the spot kick to equalise. Despite Milan's efforts to regain the lead, the game ended in a 1–1 draw, with BATE nearly pulling off a late winner when Maksim Skavysh fired straight at goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. However, due to Barcelona defeating Viktoria Plzeň in the other game of the night, Milan secured a spot in the knockout stage of the competition.^[48]

Two weeks later, Milan played host to Barcelona at the San Siro in a game with first place in the group at stake. The visitors took the lead after 14 minutes, as a cross from the left by Seidou Keita was deflected by Mark van Bommel into his own net. Milan nearly leveled the score soon after when Robinho turned Kevin-Prince Boateng's cross over the bar from close range. However, in the 20th minute the Rossoneri did tie the game through Zlatan Ibrahimović, following a through pass by Clarence Seedorf. Four minutes later, though, Barcelona were ahead again, as Lionel Messi converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Xavi Hernández. Nine minutes into the second half Milan evened the score once again with Boateng, who beat Éric Abidal with a back-heel before firind past goalkeeper Víctor Valdés. Seven minutes later Barcelona took the third and final lead as Messi played a ball to Xavi, who finished with a low shot across Christian Abbiati.^[49]

Having already secured qualification to the knockout phase of the competition, Milan drawn the last game of the group stage 2–2 away against Viktoria Plzeň. After a scoreless first half, Alexandre Pato and Robinho scored two goals in as many minutes for Milan to take a 2–0 lead in the early stages of the second half. However, with less than two minutes left to play Viktoria pulled one back through David Bystroň before tying up the game with Michal Ďuriš in injury time.^[50]

Knockout stage

The draw for the first knockout round took place in Nyon, Switzerland, on 16 December 2011. Milan were paired with the winners of Group F, Arsenal.^[57] The first leg will be contested at the San Siro on Wednesday, 15 February. The second leg is to be played at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, 6 March.

Squad statistics

As of 20 December 2011.^[58]

Transfers

Milan's first two signings of the 2011–12 season were announced on 10 May 2011, as CEO Adriano Galliani confirmed the acquisition of defenders Philippe Mexès and Taye Taiwo on free transfers.^[59] During the month of May, Milan focused on contract extensions, re-signing Mark van Bommel, Flavio Roma, Alessandro Nesta, Filippo Inzaghi, Massimo Ambrosini and Clarence Seedorf for one more season and Thiago Silva until 2016.^[59] This left only three players on expring contract: Andrea Pirlo, who subsequently joined Juventus,^[60] Marek Jankulovski^[61] and Nicola Legrottaglie, who later signed for Catania.^[62]

In June, the Rossoneri made several deals with Genoa: Milan signed outright Kevin-Prince Boateng, Alberto Paloschi, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Rodney Strasser and Gianmarco Zigoni, all of whom were in co-ownership, plus Marco Amelia, who was on loan; in turn, Milan sold outright Sokratis Papastathopoulos and the part-ownership of Giacomo Beretta was renewed.^[63][64] Besides, the Rossoneri took on co-ownership of Stephan El Shaarawy, while Alexander Merkel joined Genoa still on a co-ownershp deal.^[65]

In

Out

Out on loan

References