Milan continue to flounder

AC Milan's miserable form continued as they made a losing start to the season on Sunday, going down 2-1 to Bologna.
Not even Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko were able to reverse a trend of bad results at home which effectively condemned Milan to finishing only fifth last season.
Marco Di Vaio put Bologna ahead in the 18th minute, but Massimo Ambrosini ensured the Rossoneri went in at the break on terms.
However, a wonder-goal from Francesco Valiani sealed the win for Bologna 10 minutes from time and put Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti under pressure after just one game.
Ancelotti named Ronaldinho in his starting XI with fellow debutant Mathieu Flamini making his first appearance at the San Siro.
For many of the Bologna team, it was also a first taste of Serie A football following their promotion from Serie B last season, but they did not run and hide as they took the game to their hosts from the outset.
Adailton had the first chance for Daniele Arrigoni's side, but his angled shot was saved easily by Christian Abbiati, Milan's new first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Zeljko Kalac and Dida.
Ronaldinho was the centre of attention and he did not disappoint either, showing glimpses of what made him World Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
He sent one shot wide of Francesco Antonioli's goal before heading over when Filippo Inzaghi seemed better placed from Clarence Seedorf's cross.
Bologna were forced onto the back foot , but when they managed to break, they went ahead thanks to Di Vaio in the 18th minute
The former Genoa striker provided the finishing touch to an excellent team move, volleying the ball low and unstoppably past Abbiati to silence the San Siro.
Ronaldinho continued to cause a threat to the Bologna defence, but nobody was able to add a finish to his intelligent build-up play, until Ambrosini obliged in the 41st minute with a header from close range bringing Milan level.
Shevchenko made his second Milan debut at the start of the second half, replacing Marek Jankulovski as Milan went with a more adventurous, attacking formation.
Ronaldinho almost set his new strike-partner up for a second goal early in the second half, but Shevchenko was unable to reach the ball at the far post.
Ancelotti introduced Alexandre Pato into the game with 20 minutes left as he went for the win, but it was Bologna who began to look the more dangerous.
However, nobody could have expected the goal which won this game for Bologna.
Valiani exchanged passes with Di Vaio before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the goal from the edge of the penalty area.
It was a goal fit to win any game, and it was enough to decide this one in favour of the Serie A newcomers against one of the main title favourites.
After being put on probation after a lacklustre pre-season campaign, Ancelotti will now be fearing for his job after just 90 minutes of the season.

Monday 1st September 2008
by www.espnstar.com/football