UEFA Champions League: Milan 2 Celtic 0

Emilio Izaguirre’s own goal and a Sulley Muntari effort gave Milan a 2-0 UEFA Champions League win over Celtic at San Siro on Wednesday.

Cristian Zapata’s strike deflected off the Celtic defender to put the hosts ahead after 82 minutes.

And with Celtic pushing for a way back into the game, Muntari doubled the Italian side’s lead three minutes later to get Milan off to a winning start in Group H.

The well-documented Milan injury list meant that Massimiliano Allegri was forced into a number of changes, with Stephan El Shaarawy, Kaka, Giampaolo Pazzini, Riccardo Montolivo and Ignazio Abate among the absentees.

Slovenia international Valter Birsa made his debut for the club while Antonio Nocerino partnered Nigel de Jong in midfield for the clash.

Celtic had injuries of their own to contend with and were unable to name James Forrest or Joe Ledley in their matchday squad, although Adam Matthews shook off an ankle problem to start.

Mario Balotelli was quickly among the action, volleying an effort at Forster after three minutes, but the Celtic goalkeeper was equal to the task as he palmed the strike away.

Celtic’s first chance came from a indirect free-kick inside the area following a backpass, but Charlie Mulgrew saw his shot deflected over the crossbar.

Alessandro Matri’s header then forced another good save from Forster before Nocerino fired narrowly over just after the half-hour mark.

Balotelli again threatened a minute from the break when his low, swerving effort almost deflected into the far corner of Forster’s goal.

Giorgos Samaras had the first opportunity of the second half for Celtic, with the Greek firing just past Christian Abbiati’s post while Muntari headed just over for the hosts a minute after the hour mark.

After a
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lengthy period of Milan pressure, Anthony Stokes crashed a free-kick against the crossbar for the visitors 10 minutes from time with Abbiati beaten.

However, two minutes later, Milan had their lead courtesy of a Zapata effort from outside the area that deflected off Izaguirre and in.

Muntari was then on hand three minutes later to make it two, bundling home from close-range after Balotelli’s free-kick had come back off the post to ensure Milan came away with the three points.