i Rossoneri - Journey Back To The Top

Last month saw A.C. Milan tackle a relaxed schedule, with just three games being played. However, this month saw them face a busy schedule, with a total of six games in all competitions. Going into September, new manager Alessandro Nesta remained unbeaten in competitive football management, and he would be hoping to keep that record going.

: Andre Wisdom, 7.9

A.C. Milan welcomed Scottish champions Celtic to the San Siro for the first match in the UEFA Champions League Group D. It was an entertaining game, but the only goal of the game came through a penalty in the second half. When Alessandro Matri, who was placed on the transfer list earlier this month, was brought down just inside the penalty area by Virgil van Dijk, Brazilian midfielder Kaká stepped up to secure the win and earn Milan's first three points of the Group Stage. Attendance: 56, 391.

In other news from Group D, Borussia Dortmund managed to pull of a 3-1 win over Barcelona.
The scorers for Dortmund were Marco Reus, Bálint Bajner and Kevin Großkreutz, and a familiar name came back with Barcelona's reply - Robert Lewandowski, who was sold by Dortmund to the Spanish giants just two months ago.

: Pablo Armero, 7.7

After an impressive away victory against Udinese in the opening game, Milan then came up against Napoli, this time at home. Milan had a huge amount of chances to win the game, but only managed to get a single shot on target. Midway through the second half, Napoli capitalized on their failure to score, and got the ball up the field to Lorenzo Insigne, who was lurking out wide. The Italian winger cut inside the penalty area before pulling the ball back to Marek Hamšík, who finished the move coolly into the top corner. Attendance: 46,165.

: Reto Ziegler, 8.6

After the disappointing home defeat to Napoli in the previous game, Milan travelled to play Sassuolo, where they were hoping to get back on track. However, just five minutes into the game, Reto Ziegler's cross found Francesco Magnanelli who nodded the ball down to Moussa Koné. He smashed the ball past Abbiati, who had no chance of saving the shot. But he had no excuses for letting the second goal in, just past ten minutes. Ziegler flighted in a free kick from 50 yards out, it took a low bounce, and drifted straight past Abbiati, who looked horrified. Sassuolo looked to have rounded off the game on the half hour. Another Ziegler cross found Simone Zaza, who powered a header into the top corner.

A.C. Milan were getting forward, and it seemed a case of Sassuolo being able to take their chances, because the underdogs only managed four attempts at goal. Mario Balotelli pulled one goal back for Milan but it wasn't enough. Miralem Pjanić's shot deflected into the path of Balotelli. The keeper was on the floor, and all Balotelli had to do was finish, and he did so with ease. More disappointment for Nesta's Milan. Attendance: 12,829.

: Philippe Mexès, 8.8

Another home tie gave Milan supporters hope after the previous losses, and the hope turned to joy when Andrea Poli gave them the lead on the half hour. Mario Balotelli played a short ball to him just inside the box and the Italian midfielder pushed a powerful shot past the keeper to grab his first ever goal in a Milan shirt. The half finished at 1-0 with Milan having all the chances, and for once, being able to capitalize on it.

After half time, they doubled their lead when Mario Balotelli played an excellent through ball to Alessandro Matri, who finished the move with a shot that curled past the goalkeeper. Minutes later, Poli and Balotelli linked up again, this time Balotelli with the goal. Poli played a lofted ball towards the chest of Balotelli, who controlled it on the edge of the box, got past two players and fired it into the net from an angle. The fourth and final goal came through Philippe Mexès, who had been a rock at the bag all game long. Miralem Pjanić whipped in a corner towards Riccardo Montolivo, who headed the ball down to Mexès to finish. A win which will surely restore the spirit to the Milan players and fans. Attendance: 46,930.

: Kaká, 9.6

After seemingly picking themselves up with the 4-0 victory in the last match, Milan were on the road again, this time facing Chievo Verona. The first goal came just before half time, when Kaká's corner found Riccardo Montolivo. He controlled it before passing it to his left where Alessandro Matri was waiting, and the Italian striker thundered a shot past the unsighted keeper.

Just into the second half, however, Philippe Mexès was sent off for a second bookable offence, calling Milan's narrow lead into question. Cue an inspirational performance from the Brazilian Kaká. After a brilliant team move, Mario Balotelli received the ball on the edge of the penalty area. Instead of controlling it, he picked out the run of Kaká first time, and the Brazilian slotted past the keeper to double the lead. He grabbed his second of the game when Nicolas Frey blasted the ball against the back of a fellow defender deep inside the Chievo half. Kaká reacted quickly to take the ball inside the penalty area and finish smoothly. Nearing the end of the match, Kaká gave away a penalty after he pushed the ball out of play with his hand. Sergio Pellissier did the honours to pull one back for Chievo. But Kaká wasn't done. After he was brought down by Frey inside the area, he finished off his hat-trick with a relaxed penalty to earn Milan their second win of the month in the league. Attendance: 18,592.

: Cristián Zapata, 8.0

Feeling confident after two impressive victories, Milan hosted Sampdoria at the San Siro. Kaká opened the scoring after thirty five minutes after Balotelli won a ball on the edge of the area. He played it through a small gap towards Kaká who finished low into the left corner. Just four minutes later, Sampdoria responded. Gianluca Sansone's corner found the head of Matías Rodríguez, who headed the ball to Andrea Costa on the penalty spot. The Italian simply nodded the ball into the bottom corner to level up the game. The game finished 1-1, and the draw completed the month for Milan, in which they had some ups and downs, but will generally be pleased with. Attendance: 44,991.

Barcelona spokesperson Toni Freixa has today confirmed that global superstar Lionel Messi will miss the upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Italian side A.C. Milan.

The match has received a lot of media attention, due to the stature of both sides, and it will come as a disappointment to Messi to miss out on the action. Whilst Barcelona are expected to win, A.C. Milan will surely give them a run for their money, and without Messi, who can change a game in an instant, could even break the Catalan giants.

In other news from the Nou Camp relating to the match, Gerardo Martino has told media that he "is pleased to have avoided some of the tougher teams" and going on to express his confidence that his side will get the points. But has Martino spoken too soon? Or will his team live up to the confidence that has been placed in them. Tune in to Sky Sports 1 on Wednesday to find out.