Ghana midfielder Michael Essien tastes defeat on Champions League debut for AC Milan

Published on: 19 February 2014
Ghana midfielder Michael Essien tastes defeat on Champions League debut for AC Milan
Michael Essien starts for AC Milan

By Ameenu Shardow, follow on Twitter @alooameenu

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien tasted defeat on his Champions League debut for AC Milan as the Italian giants fell 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid.

Clarence Seeforf’s side fell to a late header from Diego Costa at the depth to hand the first leg advantage of the Round of 16 tie to the Spanish side on Wednesday night.

Essien had been named in the starting line up for Milan and lasted the entire duration of the game.

The Black Stars midfielder was however unable to help his side to a much needed win before their home fans at the San Siro.

Milan began the game on the back foot with their visitors stealing all the early possession.

The Italian side however regain control of the game and should have gone two up by halftime.

Ricardo Kaka was first to come close to opening the scoring when his shot on the edge of the area rose above the cross bar.

Poli was then denied by an impressive finger tip save by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois when all though the ball had entered the net.

The Rossoneri kept pushing on in the second half for the elusive opening goal which never came.

And when the game looked destined to end in a stalemate, Diego Costa popped up with a powerful header at the far post to beat Abbiati and steal the first leg advantage.

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