Matthaus’ Diary – March 2014
Milan 1-0 Bologna – Serie A – 8.3.2014
Milan (4-4-2): Abbiati, Abate, Acerbi, Spolli, Antonini, Boateng, De Jong, Nocerino, Robinho, Pato, Pazzini
Subs Used: Fabbrini for Pazzini (HT), Montolivo for De Jong (54), Hernandez for Pato (70)
Red Cards: Pulzetti (Bologna, two yellows, 49 mins)
Injuries: Boateng (twisted knee, 12 days-2 weeks)
Goals: Pato (45)
MOTM: Cherubin (Bologna)
Sevilla 0-3 Milan – UEL Ro16 Leg 1 – 13.3.2014
Milan (4-4-2): Abbiati, Abate, Acerbi, Spolli, Antonini, El Shaarawy, De Jong, Nocerino, Robinho, Pato, Pazzini
Subs Used: Didac for Pazzini (HT), De Sciglio for Abate (54), Bonera for El Shaarawy (70)
Injuries: Abate (broken ribs, 3-4 weeks), Bonera (bruised rib, 4-5 days)
Goals: Pato (37, 73), Fazio OG (55)
MOTM: Pato (Milan)
Milan (5) 2-1 (1) Sevilla – UEL Ro15 Leg 2 – 20.3.2014
Milan (4-4-2): Abbiati, De Sciglio, Acerbi, Mexes, Didac, Fabbrini, Flamini, Montolivo, Hernandez, Robinho, Pazzini
Subs Used: Nocerino for Flamini (HT), Antonini for Hernandez (HT), Spolli for Mexes (62)
Injuries: Flamini (twisted knee, 12 days-2 weeks)
Goals: Pazzini (46), Fabbrini (64); Negredo (39)
MOTM: Acerbi (Milan)
Europa League Draws
Since we beat Sevilla on aggregate, we got through to the quarter finals, where we will play English side Tottenham Hotspur for a place in the semi-final. I already played against Spurs once this season, getting a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane against them back in December, whilst I was still Manchester United manager.
If we manage to get through against Spurs, we will face one of Napoli, Atletico Madrid, or CSKA Moscow in the semi-final. Napoli must first play CSKA to decide who faces Atletico for a place in the semi-final. I am confident we can go through to the final against any of these teams, but you never know.
Milan 3-1 Genoa – Serie A – 23.3.2014
Milan (4-2-3-1): Abbiati, De Sciglio, Acerbi, Mexes, Antonio, Nocerino, De Jong, Fabbrini, Boateng, Robinho, Pazzini
Subs Used: El Shaarawy for Robinho (30), Lodeiro for Boateng (83), Mesbah for Fabbrini (83)
Injuries: Robinho (strained knee ligaments, 5-6 weeks)
Goals: El Shaarawy (53), De Jong (64), Pazzini (83); Gilardino (60)
MOTM: Acerbi (Milan)
Udinese 1-4 Milan – Serie A – 26.3.2014
Milan (4-2-3-1): Abbiati, De Sciglio, Acerbi, Mexes, Antonini, Nocerino, De Jong, El Shaarawy, Boateng, Fabbrini, Pazzini
Goals: Di Natale (55); Boateng (21, 51), El Shaarawy (40), Pazzini (73)
MOTM: Boateng (Milan)
Lazio 1-3 Milan – Serie A – 30.3.2014
Milan (4-2-3-1): Abbiati, De Sciglio, Acerbi, Mexes, Antonini, Nocerino, De Jong, El Shaarawy, Lodeiro, Fabbrini, Pazzini
Subs Used: Spolli for Acerbi (90), Casarini for Nocerino (90)
Red Cards: Lulic (Lazio, two yellows, 38 mins); De Jong (Milan, two yellows, 29 mins)
Goals: Hernanes (49); Fabbrini (18, 73), El Shaarawy (90+2)
MOTM: Fabbrini (Milan)
League Table
We're up to fourth, and I think we've got to be in with a shout of getting Champions League football for next season.