Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid reached the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-2 draw against AC Milan.
'Special One' offered reason to smile after San Siro return
Jose Mourinho reminded AC Milan fans why they loved to hate him during his time in Italy as Real Madrid qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League courtesy of a late 2-2 draw at the San Siro.
The ex-Inter Milan boss and self-acclaimed 'Special One' was facing formerly bitter rivals Milan on their own patch for the first time since leaving for Spain in the summer and the verbal disapproval on his comeback was tangible in this Group G fixture.
However, Mourinho revels in the 'us against them' mindset and before kick-off he could be seen seemingly showing three fingers to the catcalling and booing stands to apparently represent Inter's 2009/10 Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia Treble.
The Portuguese will not be able to swagger away from Milan with characteristic confidence after a slightly disjointed display, but he will be able to afford a slight grin after substitute Pedro Leon struck in injury-time to ensure progress.
Milan had looked set to take the points after overcoming Gonzalo Higuain's opener as substitute Filippo Inzaghi capitalised on an error by Iker Casillas and a debatable offside decision, however, Pedro gave Mourinho, unbeaten at Real, the final word.
In an excellent first half, it was difficult not to think of the Premier League. End-to-end football, crunching tackles, Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Ricardo Carvalho and even South Yorkshire referee Howard Webb.
It was a cracking opening 45 minutes, which reminded more of England's top flight than a clash between two continental heavyweights, who were expected to take a cautious approach.
Horrible
Real, who defeated Milan 2-0 in Spain in October, should have been at least two goals in front inside the opening 20 minutes. Higuain forced Christian Abbiati to push a shot around the far post before Alonso sent the Milan goalkeeper scrambling with a 30-yard volley.
Di Maria could have done better when he turned Gianluca Zambrotta, however, he elected to check onto his left and inexcusably dragged his shot horribly wide of the near post from close range.
Andrea Pirlo was expected to be Milan's key man, pulling the strings, but the Italy midfielder's greatest contribution was a double-header while under his own crossbar when clearing from Higuain and Di Maria's follow-up.
Ex-Manchester United star Ronaldo, who went into the match having scored 13 times in 13 appearances in 2010/11, was doing his best to find a way through and was a constant source of kinetic menace to Milan.
The Portuguese's hallmarks were on full display, but so was his frustrating side in the 24th minute when he attempted to earn a red card for Ignazio Abate after a theatrical, delayed fall following an accidental tap to the throat.
Milan were under the cosh and four minutes later former Portsmouth man Boateng, who had been chasing shadows, earned a booking from Webb when attempting a slide tackle on the livewire Higuain.
It was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though, who wasted the game's best chance as half-time approached, with the Swede lofting a lobbed volley wide of the target after Real captain Casillas had unnecessarily raced from his goalline.
Punish
Milan were promptly punished on the stroke of half-time as Di Maria cleverly disguised a pass to Higuain and the Argentina international was unerring in his finish to leave Abbiati helpless.
