Published>Thu, Sep 16 10 03:57 PM
AC Milan got more than they bargained for in the Champions League on Wednesday, with a tougher-than-expected game against Auxerre and injuries hampering plans for Saturday's Serie A visit of Catania (1845 GMT).
Milan were woeful for an hour against the French side in their Group G opener before new striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic burst to life with two goals in three minutes to give them a 2-0 win.
The patchy performance followed last weekend's shock 2-0 league defeat at promoted Cesena and new boss Massimiliano Allegri wants the team to show more verve having mainly pinged pointless long balls forward during Wednesday's first half.
"It will be a very difficult game (against Catania) and because of this we need to recover our energy and physical force as quickly as possible," he told reporters.
Captain Massimo Ambrosini limped off early against Auxerre with a heavy leg knock while striker Alexandre Pato was substituted with a muscle twinge and left back Luca Antonini was also injured.
None of the problems seem serious, Allegri said, but he could be without the trio for the third Serie A outing of the term against a Catania side packed with lively South Americans.
Ambrosini's early exit allowed substitute midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng the chance to shine on Wednesday and he is likely to keep his place. Defender Thiago Silva should also return after injury.
Champions Inter Milan had their own travails in Europe in midweek, drawing 2-2 at Twente Enschede, as they began the defence of their Champions League title in unconvincing fashion.
Next up is a trip to Palermo on Sunday (1300) where the intimidating crowd always makes life uncomfortable for visiting teams, even if their own side look toothless this term without injured striker Fabrizio Miccoli and the departed Edinson Cavani.
Inter look poised to be without forward Goran Pandev for around 10 days after his injury against Twente turned out not to be as bad as first feared but his absence will probably force a change in tactics for coach Rafael Benitez.
A switch to 4-3-1-2 from 4-2-3-1 is likely, pushing in-form forward Samuel Eto'o closer to goal and lifting the burden off the struggling Diego Milito.
Chievo, the only side with a maximum six points in Serie A, host promoted Brescia on Sunday, while Juventus search for their first win at Udinese.
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