AC Milan left it late on Wednesday, scoring twice inside the final 10 minutes to beat a brave Celtic 2-0 in both teams’ UEFA Champions League Group H opener at the San Siro. Moments afterCeltic’s Anthony Stokes hit the bar at one end, Milan centeral defender Cristian Zapata’s long-range effort was deflected passed FrasierFoster at the other end, in the 82nd minute. Three minutes later, Sulley Muntari pounced on the rebound from a Mario Balotelli free kick to make it 2-0.
After the game, Celtic coach Neil Lennon sounded utterly dismayed. “I am bitterly disappointed because for long periods of the game we were the better team,” he said. “Tocome away from the San Siro [disappointed] not to have picked up a point or three points is a mark of how well we have developed and how well we played tonight. We are here to qualify and nothingchanges my view after that performance. The score line flattered Milan. I don’t think there was two goals between the teams.” He added: “I thought we were the better team playing thebetter football. We had really good chances tonight and that will be one regret going away from here.”
For his part, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was impressed by thevisitors. “We had luck a couple of times in the game tonight but it was an important victory for us,” the Italian tactician said. “Celtic are a very good team. I believe they still have chances ofqualifying out of the group.”