by Anton Johan
Despite trouncing Atalanta 3-1 in Sunday's Italian Serie A match, AC
Milan's joy was short-lived because of a hamstring injury the team's star
striker, Alexandre Pato, sustained which could result in him missing the
all-important game against Manchester United in the Champions League return leg.
Although the talented Brazilian made his mark in the match by scoring two of AC
Milan's goals against Atalanta, by the final whistle he was nursing a sore thigh
that could dramatically affect his team's immediate future. AC Milan supporters
watched in horror as Pato lay flailing on the ground clutching his right leg.
Said Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani after the match, 'We will have to
wait 24 to 48 hours before knowing the extent of the injury.' The timing of
Pato's injury could not be worse as AC Milan must overcome a 3-2 deficit if they
want to progress to the quarter-finals of this year's coveted Champions League.
Half an hour into the first half, Pato showed off his tremendous skills by
finding the back of the Atalanta net with his trademark 'turn and finish'. And
just 11 minutes later he converted a pass from Ronaldinho to make it 2-0. Early
in the second half Atalanta made it 2-1 thanks to a superb goal from Jaime
Valdes.
A penalty gave Ronaldinho the chance to increase the score line for Milan, but
Atalanta's goalkeeper Andrea Consigli had his wits about him and kept the ball
out of the goal. However, his sharp reflexes were no match for Milan striker,
Marco Borriello, who found the back of the visitor's net to make the score 3-1.
Although it has been two days since his injury, it is still unclear if
20-year-old Pato will face Manchester United in a few weeks. 'Doctors say it
will be difficult to ascertain the extent of the damage until Wednesday.
However, Alexandre was walking on Sunday night, so that he didn't tear the
muscle,' said Galliani.
But despite Pato's injury, AC Milan has bigger fish to fry right now in terms of
preparing to face Roma on Saturday. Added Galliani, 'Right now we are only
focused on Roma. The lads take it one game at a time. We'll think about
Manchester when we make the flight back home.'
Currently Inter Milan leads Serie A with 58 points followed by AC Milan with 54
points and Roma with 51 points.
