FC Zurich shocks AC Milan, Man United rallies
MILAN: Hannu Tihinen scored in the 10th minute Wednesday to give FC Zurich a surprising 1-0 win over struggling AC Milan in the Champions League.
The Finnish defender backheeled the ball in from a corner at the near post past goalkeeper Marco Storari. Despite numerous efforts, including four by Filippo Inzaghi, Milan was unable to find the net as the Italian powerhouse continued its poor start to the season.
American defender Oguchi Onyewu made his Champions League debut for Milan. in the second half.
Zurich had opportunities to increase its lead in the first half, but spent much of the second period playing on the counter attack.
Despite the loss, Milan is second behind Group C leader Real Madrid thanks to a superior goal difference.
The hosts should have been level in the 15th minute. Clarence Seedorf slipped the ball behind the defense to Marek Jankulovski, who crossed low to Inzaghi but the veteran striker hooked his shot wide.
Inzaghi, chasing his 69th and record-equaling goal in European competitions, went close once more in the 28th, but he headed Abate's cross narrowly wide.
Just on halftime, Zurich nearly doubled its lead. Milan Gajic made space and shot from distance, but Storari managed to push the ball away for a corner.
It was Inzaghi who had the first clear chance of the second period. Andrea Pirlo swung in a free kick, and the 36 year-old Inzaghi's header forced Leoni into an acrobatic save.
Alexandre Pato should have brought Milan level in the 64th. Substitute Ronaldinho found him in space behind Zurich's defense, but the young striker chipped the ball over Leoni and wide of the far post.
A minute later, Leoni again denied Inzaghi a goal. Jankulovski pulled the ball back from going out, but Inzaghi shot straight at the 'keeper from close range.
From the counterattack, Zurich's Xavier Margairaz forced Storari into a desperate save with his feet after breaking through the Milan defense.
With the clock running down, Milan still had two more chance to salvage a point. From the edge of the area, captain Massimo Ambrosini drilled a low shot wide, and then substitute Gianluca Zambrotta fired an effort against the post.
Giggs rallies Manchester United: Ryan Giggs scored his 150th Manchester United goal and set up Michael Carrick's winner as the Red Devils beat Wolfsburg 2-1 on Wednesday to go top of Champions League Group B.
Edin Dzeko headed the German champions in front in the 56th minute, but the 35-year-old Giggs hit back inside three minutes with a free kick that took a huge deflection.
Giggs, who made his United debut in 1991, teed up Carrick's strike in the 78th on a rain-soaked night at Old Trafford.
Having won their opening two matches, the Red Devils enjoy a three-point lead over Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow, which beat Besiktas 2-1 in Wednesday's other group match.
Full Wednesday scores:
Group A
Bayern Munich (Germany) 0, Juventus (Italy) 0
Bordeaux (France) 1, Maccabi Haifa (Israel) 0
Group B
CSKA Moscow (Russia) 2, Besiktas (Turkey) 1
Manchester United (England) 2, Wolfsburg (Germany) 1
Group C
AC Milan (Italy) 0, FC Zurich (Switzerland) 1
Real Madrid (Spain) 3, Marseille (France) 0
Group D
APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus) 0, Chelsea (England) 1
FC Porto (Portugal) 2, Atletico Madrid (Spain) 0