By Anna Italia
                                                  CAGLIARI 1  - 2  AC MILAN
                                                           4' Robert Acquafresca     60' Alberto Gilardino
                                                                                                   86' Andrea Pirlo

Substitutions:         65' Alessandro Matri out, Michele Fini in     58' Massimo Ambrosini out, Daniele Bonera in 
                                74' Diego Lopez out, Joe Bizera in             70' Massimo Oddo out, Cafu in
                                87' Pasquale Foggia out, Larrivey in          79' Gennaro Gattuso out, Cristian Brocchi in
   

The challenge for AC Milan is to win and not allow early goals, while for Cagliari is to score and not allow early goals to get the 3 points and avoid the relegation zone.  Good news for Milan is the return of Ronaldo starting from the first minute. 

Certainly, it will be a tough match not only for Cagliari new coach Nedo Sonetti but also for AC Milan who needs to win desperately to start earning points to secure the 4th position.  Yet, even a victory will take them only 1 step above to the 9th position, while sending Cagliari from the 17th position all the way to the very last position of the Serie A Standing. Ouch!

In other words, new Cagliari coach Nedo Sonetti makes his debut and risk going to the last position. I am sure Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti will only give Sonetti a diplomatical welcome, but not wanting to have a draw or a lost. Simply, put "nice meeting you, but you gotta lose man."

Not so fast, incredible so, just in the 4th minute Cagliari forward Robert Acquafresca shocked Milan goalkeeper Dida scoring the first goal. What an early blow for Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti when his team needed to score first and shorten the distance with FC Inter. 

Acquafresca, ironically belonging to FC Inter, jumps high beating Milan defender Massimo Oddo sending a header and surprising Dida.  Milan fans are in shock while Cagliari fans are celebrating.  The impossible seems possible now.  Cagliari 1 - 0 AC Milan

In my Preview, I said that the man to watch from Cagliari was precisely forward Robert Acquafresca, and I was not wrong. Dr. Ancelotti better finds a quick solution or this early goal will become Milan's worst nightmare before heading for the Champions League and FIFA World Club Cup.

Sure, Milan tried different ways to react, including long range shots from Captail Paolo Maldini and Serginho. Problem was that none of the shots could blast the net of goalkeeper Marco Fortin. Then, you had Ronaldo, giving his best to find a magical move. Nothing seems to work for Milan.

Second surprise comes when Referee Dondarini grants a penalty to AC Milan in the 44th minute for a  contested  fault by  Cagliari Defender Bianco on Ronaldo.  AC Milan Forward KAKA gets in place, shoots, and  missed it!  Unbelieavable! Goalkeeper Fortin saves, the ball bounces and Captain Paolo Maldini tries to kick the ball in but failed too.  Incredible, what a wasted opportunity to equalize the match. Mamma mia!

First half ends with Cagliari in the lead. It seems the 4-3-1-2 formation is not working for Milan. Kaka as a trequartista along with Ronaldo and Gilardino as the 2 forwards. Not sure whether Ancelotti's favorite Christmas tree formation will work either. For this match, I rather go 4-4-2.

Ronaldo had the chance to equalize the match in the 53rd minute. Making great art of this football technique, Ronaldo cleverly hits the ball with his heel but the ball goes outside of the post. 

In the 55th minute, ex Milan player Pasquale Foggia almost score the winning goal sending a left footed shot. Luckily for Milan the ball goes out. 

A suffering match for Milan.  Although much is expected from Ronaldo, it was forward Alberto Gilardino to equalize the match in the 60th minute.  Serginho sends the ball from the left finding Alberto Gilardino in the right place to shoot the ball and this time defeat goalkeeper Fortin.  What a relief for the Rossoneri and for Coach Carlo Ancelotti. Cagliari 1 - 1 AC Milan.

After an agonizing match and Cagliari not giving up, in the 86th minute the one and only midfielder Andrea Pirlo sends a heavenly divine free kick from more than 30 yards directly to the net.  Wow, what a superb goal!  All Milan players celebrate and the joy explodes among Milan fans. Pirlo once again, reading the match well, gives the winning goal to a needed Milan. This time goalkeeper Fortin could not stop Milan from grabbing the much needed 3 points.   Cagliari 1 - 2 AC Milan.

The question now is whether Cagliari or Milan reach their goal.  Clearly, Cagliari failed the test and Milan with much suffering but with a firm attitude passed the test 5 minutes before the end of the match.  Positive note was the return of Captain Paolo Maldini playing the entire 90 minutes. 

Ronaldo and Sonetti had a satisfactory performance. Still, Milan awaits for Ronaldo's great comeback.  Will it happen soon?   Sonetti's dream start ended up as a nightmare. Sonetti will have to wait for his first victory with Cagliari, will it happen soon?

Milan next matches will be crucial:  Wednesday, Nov. 28 UEFA Champions League Benfica - AC Milan, Saturday, Dec. 1  Serie A Matchday 14  AC Milan - FC Juventus, and Tuesday, Dec. 5 UEFA Champions League Milan - FC Celtic,
Dec 7-16 FIFA World Club Cup.

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