Ajax clinched their place in the Europa League in style with a 2-0 Champions League win over AC Milan.
De Zeeuw and Alderweireld net as Rossoneri lose
Ajax clinched their place in the Europa League in style with a 2-0 UEFA Champions League win over AC Milan at the San Siro.
The visitors made the better start but having failed to convert any of their chances they were hanging on a little going into the interval.
They reasserted themselves after half-time and made the breakthrough just before the hour mark when Demy De Zeeuw slotted home after Siem de Jong's shot was blocked.
Things improved soon after with the impressive Toby Alderweireld finishing with aplomb after a neat lay-off from striker Luis Suarez.
With the Rossoneri already guaranteed second spot in Group C they will not be too disheartened by the defeat while the win for Ajax secured them third spot ahead of Auxerre.
Ajax made a bright start against a Milan team who rested the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.
Tipped behind
Just two minutes in Suarez forced Marco Amelia to tip the ball behind for a corner and the second choice stopper came to the rescue to deny the Uruguayan again on 11 minutes.
The Dutch side were clearly on top and Suarez slipped in Christian Eriksen but Daniele Bonera got across to make a sliding block.
Eriksen was proving Ajax's primary outlet and twice he forced Amelia into saves.
Milan had only one chance of note in the first half but Ronaldinho's header from Robinho's cross lacked power or direction and Maarten Stekelenburg saved easily.
Ajax also had two shouts for a penalty in the first 50 minutes but referee Claus Bo Larsen was spot on both times in booking Suarez and then Miralem Sulejmani for simulation.
Ajax had an early chance after the break but Amelia parried Suarez's close range effort while up the other end Thiago Silva was just off target with a header.
Deserved lead
But the visitors deservedly took the lead on 58 minutes after De Jong's shot from the edge of the box was blocked but the rebound dropped to De Zeeuw to lash home.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri clearly did not want to lose and hauled off midfielder Massimo Ambrosini for Ibrahimovic.
But on 67 minutes it was two as Alderweireld picked up a pass from Suarez and sent a rocket from 25 yards into the top corner, giving Amelia no chance.
Ibrahimovic did have an effect, though, forcing Stekelenburg to save with his foot at his near post.
Kevin-Prince Boateng had the ball in the net 10 minutes from time with a rasping drive but Ibrahimovic had already been penalised for a foul.
Amelia then dived full length to save Suarez's left-foot after the Uruguayan's mazy run.
| Milan |
Team Statistics |
Ajax |
| 0 |
Goals |
2 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
11 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
8 |
| 6 |
Blocked Shots |
5 |
| 5 |
Corners |
9 |
| 18 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 10 |
Offsides |
3 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 79.3 |
Passing Success |
84.8 |
| 15 |
Tackles |
18 |
| 66.7 |
Tackles Success |
61.1 |
| 42.9 |
Possession |
57.1 |
| 41.1 |
Territorial Advantage |
58.9 |
|
