Boateng's brace seals entry to Champions League group stages

A brace from Kevin-Prince Boateng and a goal from Mario Balotelli handed AC Milan a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven to seal the Italians' entry to the Champions League group stages on Wednesday.

PSV had dominated proceedings when the sides drew 1-1 in the Netherlands last week and came to the San Siro hoping to qualify for the second stage of the competition for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign.

But despite a commendable performance, Phillip Cocu's side ultimately failed to convert several chances as Milan booked its ticket for the group stage for the 17th time.

Milan coach Massimilano Allegri, who was lucky to hang on to his job at the end of last season as the Rossoneri finished third following a disastrous first half of the campaign, said his joy was tempered by renewed criticism.

"I'm happy with the performance but I'm very angry," Allegri told Sports Mediaset, a channel owned by club owner Silvio Berlusconi.

"From the outside I can feel the detractors but inside there is a good rapport with the general manager, the players and the club.

"The lads produced a superb performance ... but I don't want to say anything else about the game. It's the result that counts."

PSV was given hope early when a header from Slovenian striker Tim Matavz forced Milan 'keeper Chistian Abbiaiti into a diving parry in the eighth minute. But a minute later Milan took the lead.

Riccardo Montolivo's pass found Boateng on the edge of the area and the German-born Ghanaian controlled quickly before sending a right-foot shot inside the post past PSV 'keeper Jeroen Zoet.

Following a 2-1 defeat to Serie A newcomer Hellas Verona in its season opener on the weekend, Milan showed plenty of commitment on the night.

A curling effort from Stephan El-Shaarawy following a great build-up sailed over Zoet's crossbar moments later.

But Abbiati had to look smart when the ball fell kindly for Adam Maher and he smashed a long-range volley which the Italian 'keeper parried to safety.

Milan was pressing PSV at every opportunity and Montolivo came close to doubling its lead on the half hour only for his effort from the right to skew wide.

A minute later, El Shaarawy had his head in his hands after seeing his snap shot off Mattia De Sciglio's cutback hit the post and bounce on the line before Zoet collected.

Milan endured a nervous start to the second half but fears were allayed when Balotelli toe-poked Philippe Mexes's header past Zoet following a corner from El Shaarawy.

"In the Netherlands we played good and were unlucky to draw, but tonight we killed them off," Balotelli told Sport Mediaset

The goal took the wind out of PSV and despite Cocu making a series of late substitutions in a bid to reduce the deficit, the Dutchmen suffered a hammer blow when Milan scored its third in the 77th minute.

Balotelli started the move, but it was Andrea Poli who supplied for Boateng from the left-hand edge of the area.

The forward took two touches before dragging his shot across Zoet and into the far corner.

Meanwhile, Celtic produced a stunning comeback in Glasgow on Wednesday to join Milan.

Celtic beat Shakhter Karagandy 3-0 to overcome a 2-0 loss in the first leg. James Forrest's stoppage-time goal gave the Scottish champion a 3-2 win on aggregate.

Real Sociedad and Zenit St. Petersburg also advanced on Wednesday, along with Plzen, which progressed after beating Maribor 4-1 on aggregate.

Arsenal also qualified with a 5-0 win on aggregate over Fenerbahce on Tuesday, along with Schalke, Steaua Bucharest and Basel.

(China Daily 08/30/2013 page23)