Carlos Teves scores as Juventus outlasts AC Milan 1-0

AC Milan v Juventus

Carlos Tevez netted the only goal of the game in the 71st minute as former Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri got the better of the man whose playing career he effectively ended two years ago while in charge of the Rossoneri - Filippo Inzaghi.

Fernando Torres came on for his Milan debut late in the second half, but he could not help the club avoid dropping their first points of the season as Juve, Serie A winners for the past three seasons, moved three points clear at the top.

Inzaghi went to shake Allegri's hand prior to kick-off, but there was no such cordiality shown on the field with the tackles flying in.

One man keeping his cool was Juventus midfielder Roberto Pereyra, who had the first shot of the game after five minutes, but just missed the goal to the right.

At the other end, Keisuke Honda was first to test Gianluigi Buffon, who responded with a one-handed save, before Pereyra set up Llorente, who touched the ball past Sulley Muntari but could not beat Christian Abbiati inside his near post.

Pereyra's 25-yard effort was pushed wide by Abbiati before Leonardo Bonucci, perhaps believing he was offside, headed Claudio Marchisio's header over when he had time to take the ball down.

The closest either side came to scoring in the first half was when Marchisio let rip from outside the area and his shot struck the right-hand upright.

The Bianconeri were just edging it, with Marchisio again going close on the hour mark from a training ground corner before two touches of class finally saw the deadlock broken.

Paul Pogba provided the first to lift the ball delicately through to Tevez, who sold Abbiati the dummy before finishing past the Milan goalkeeper, and producing a real dummy to celebrate with a dedication to his youngest child.

It was time for Fernando Torres to make his entrance for the Rossoneri, but the on-loan Chelsea forward was unable to change the game.

Milan ended with four forwards after Giampaolo Pazzini was sent on by Inzaghi, who could not avoid his first defeat as Milan coach.

Chelsea's Fernando Torres goes to AC Milan on loan

Chelsea: Fernando Torres joins AC Milan on two-year loan

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is to join AC Milan on a two-year loan deal.

The Spaniard's move is subject to him agreeing personal terms and passing a medical on Saturday.

The ex-Liverpool and Atletico Madrid forward joined Chelsea for a then-British record £50m in January 2011 but struggled to live up his price tag.

Torres scored just 20 goals in 110 league appearances during his spell at Stamford Bridge, but was part of the club's 2012 Champions League success.

Speaking just hours before the deal was announced, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said: "If he wants to leave, it's because he wants to try a new life, a new club, probably a new league. To try to be happier than he was in the last couple of years."

Torres's prospects were hampered further by the arrival of fellow Spain international Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid this summer.

Costa and Didier Drogba remain Chelsea's attacking options.

Milan have been on the lookout for another forward to replace Mario Ballotelli, who left the club for Liverpool last week.

Speaking on Milan's official website  on Wednesday, Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani said: "Torres is certainly an important forward and we will see if we can sign him or another player."

Torres's British record transfer fee stood until Angel Di Maria moved from Real Madrid to Manchester United for £59.7m this week.

While Chelsea fans only saw glimpses of the form that brought Torres 65 goals in 102 league appearances for previous club Liverpool, Mourinho spoke highly of him at Friday's news conference to preview Saturday's trip to Everton.

The Portuguese said he did not expect Torres to depart before the transfer window closed and was against a last-minute deal.

"If that happens in the last hour of the market, we are in trouble," said Mourinho. "In this moment we are doing nothing because our belief is that the market is closed for us.

"I've believed for a long time that the squad is closed. We have our squad. We like our squad. It's not the perfect one, because no squad is perfect, but it's one we like."

Higuain stars in a come from behind Napoli win over AC Milan

From: BBC Sport

Adel Taarabt scored on his AC Milan debut but ended up on the losing side as Napoli came from behind to win. Taarabt, on loan from QPR, ran from inside his own half before curling a low shot into the net from 20 yards on seven minutes.

The hosts levelled four minutes later when Gokhan Inler fired a deflected 25-yard strike into the top corner. Gonzalo Higuain headed in after the break before sealing the win from six yards late on.

AC Milan, who were unbeaten in the league under new boss Clarence Seedorf, gave debuts to Morocco midfielder Taarabt and former Chelsea defender Michael Essien. Seedorf replaced Massimiliano Allegri last month after a poor start to their Serie A campaign.

But for much of the game it was Napoli, third in Serie A, who dominated as they look to secure a top-three finish and Champions League qualification for next season.

It was the perfect start for Taarabt though, who scored only his second goal of the season when he drove through Milan's midfield before curling a precise low finish into the net.

His previous goal this campaign came in a 2-2 League Cup draw at Burton while on loan at Fulham. The Rossoneri were not ahead for long as Inler's shot deflected off Nigel de Jong's shin and into the top corner.

Higuain then had a goal ruled out for offside before Christian Maggio hit the post as AC Milan held on until half-time.

Argentina striker Higuain gave the hosts the lead as he glanced home Inler's left-wing cross and the points were sealed late on as he converted Jose Callejon's low cross.

It proved a frustrating night for Milan striker Mario Balotelli, who appeared to be in tears on the substitutes bench after being withdrawn.

Napoli will face Premier League Swansea in the last 32 of the Europa League on 20 February, while Milan entertain Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League on 19 February.

Messi cancels out Robinho goal for Barcelona-AC Milan draw

Gerrard Pique and Robinho contest the ball

Neither Barcelona nor AC Milan claimed 3 points in their latest tussle of the Champion's League at San Siro as both played to a draw. The host drew first blood in the 9th minute when Robinho capitalized a Javier Mascherano mistake. Mascherano received a wayward header from Sergio Busquets but the former made a backpass that went to Robinho.  Robinho shadowed by Gerrard Pique flicked the ball to a streaking Kaka.  As the defenders attention shifted to Kaka, Kaka then return the pass to Robinho who is now positioned unmarked at the center of the penalty box and poked the ball into the net as Valdes was too late in reacting. 

AC Milan's lead however did not stay long.  In the 23rd minute, Cristian Zapata's pass was stolen by Sergio Busquets but he was sandwiched by Ricardo Montolivo and Philip Mexes. The collision let the ball loose and intercepted by Andres Iniesta who storm to the Milan penalty box.  Iniesta saw Lionel Messi on the right. Messi attacked from there and with a slight evasion on Philip Mexes smashed the ball to the net. 

Messi saved Barca from defeat 

It proved to be the marginal goal as both sides was unable to add another goal, not even Mario Ballotelli's substitution on Robinho produced another goal for Milan. 

In the second half, Barcelona clearly controlled the tempo and had more opportunities.  In the 54th minute, Lionel Messi passed the ball to Xavi before Xavi slide the ball to a streaking Iniesta who slipped past Philip Mexes and Cristian Zapata only for his shot saved by Milan keeper Marco Amelia.  

In the 70th minute, Lionel Messi lobbed Adriano to the left. Adriano brokeaway from Kaka but still he missed a close range shot.  Later in the 90th minute, Dani Alves powerful shot was stopped by Marco Amelia.  

Milan's other opportunity came in the 68th minute when Ricardo Montolivo's on target attempt was caught by Basilio Valdes. 

Barcelona always have a difficult time in San Siro.  In the knockout stage last year, Barcelona lost to Milan in the opening leg.  However Barca wrapped up the series when it thumped Milan 4-0 in the return leg at home.  With the latest game, the first round of the group stage is completed. 

Milan outlast Udinese with Birsa goal

Muntari, Montolivo and Matri prepare for free kick shot by Udinese's Antonio di Natale

It was a night of attrition between equally determined teams, AC Milan and Udinese in the latest round of Serie A.

But the night belong to Valter Birsa who scored the lone goal in a fast paced match but produce only one goal.  The goal came in the 22nd minute when Birsa figured in an exchange with Robinho.  After receiving the pass, Robinho immediately returned the ball to Birsa who fired a curling shot that went through the top right side of the goal, out of reach of Udinese keeper Ivan Kelava. 

Except for that solitary scoring moment, the game became a tug of war punctuated by rough physical play, which resulted in bookings from both sides. Giemperlo Pinzi, Roberto Pereyra and Allan for Udinese and Sulley Muntari and Robinho for AC Milan.  Udinese's best chance for a goal came in the 84th minute when Udinese super striker Antonio Di Natale made a scoring potential pass to Luis Muriel only to be scuttled by Milan defender Ignazio Abate. 

Real Madrid recruit Kaka entered a game as a substitute past the 80th minute mark but failed to score a goal.

 

Juventus bucks AC Milan's early goal to come from behind 3-2

Sebastian Giovinco,  who subbed Fabio Quagliarella, brought Juventus into the lead with his creative goal

AC Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari scored one of the fastest goals in football but that feat failed to bring his team to victory.  Juventus shrug off the initial jolt to recover and went on to win.  

The goal came in the 19 seconds into the game amid the flurry of passes from Ricardo Montolivo, to Robinho and finally to Antonio Nocerino who found Muntari on the left.  Muntari then poked a one touch shot that was too fast for Gianluggi Buffon to react. 

Fourteen minutes later however, Juventus even up with a powerful free kick from Andrea Pirlo which Christian Abbiati only managed to slightly touched.  The opportunity came after Milan's Nigel de Jong fouled Carlos Tevez on a dangerous buildup. 

It was not until the 69th minute when Juventus finally took the lead.  Cristian Zapata's pass to Ricardo Montolivo was stolen by Claudio Marchisio.  Marchisio passed it to Arturo Vidal in a congested center.  Philip Mexes sliding tackle successfully took away the ball from Vidal but the rebound fell to Sebastian Giovinco who use his shifty moves to elude the sliding Ignazio Abate to create space.  Giovinco then launched a smashing strike that went inside the net.  So strong was the strike that the ball even went through the net and was seen tumbling outside of the goal. 

Milan's hope further faded when they were reduced to 10 men following Philip Mexes sent off for rough play in the 74th minute. Shortly after, Andrea Pirlo's free kick shook the crossbar but the rebound landed on Giorgio Chellini who smashed the ball into the goal.  Juventus now lead 3-1. 

Milan however refuse to go down when Sulley Muntari scored another thunderous strike in the 90th minute and kept Juventus in suspense. Muntari's shot however proved to be marginal as Juventus held on to the lead until the final whistle.