Recap: Champions League Group Stage: Milan v Ajax

Milan managed to draw Ajax in Amsterdam in the first of two meetings in the group stage between the clubs. The first half belonged to Ajax who controlled possession and seemingly brought the match to Milan without fear. However, they were unable to get on the scoresheet despite the better half.

In the second half, Milan started to gain back a bit of confidence and created a few chances to score. Even though the momentum started to perhaps even out between the two sides, Milan seemingly looked more than content to walk away from the match with just the one point. However, Ajax had other ideas as they began to apply pressure to Allegri's back line by forcing Abbiati to make a few crucial saves. One of these saves resulted in a corner for Ajax just before injury time was applied. Milan's set piece defending issues are well documented. It showed as Muntari and company failed to mark on the corner and Stefano Denswil headed home the first goal. This goal appeared to be the decisive goal to give the Dutch side a big 3 points after losing 4-0 to Barcelona in their first CL match.

Throughout the match, Mario Balotelli appeared to be fouled quite a bit whether he exaggerated at times or not. In the 90 +3 minute, Balotelli and Milan received a gift from the official as the forward was given a penalty on a poor call. Balotelli quieted the Amsterdam crowd and put it past the keeper to give Milan a point they did not deserve.

Thoughts: The starting squad Allegri appeared to have settled on included Valter Birsa along with Robinho behind Balotelli. However, Birsa was a late scratch which resulted in captain Riccardo Montolivo moving out of position into Birsa's spot and Andrea Poli starting in the midfield alongside Nigel De Jong and Sulley Muntari. Montolivo is not a winger and to play him out of position in his first match back since the injury has left many confused especially when Allegri's hand-picked forward Alessandro Matri started on the bench. Milan surely missed Birsa today as he could have allowed Allegri to keep Montolivo in the midfield where he belongs and he would have given Balotelli a player to link up with.

Milan did not deserve anything from this match. Period. The referee spoon fed Milan an opportunity to salvage a result and if it wasn't for Balotelli's penalty-taking ability, Milan would have been sent home with a very sour taste in their mouths ahead of a huge clash with Juventus. This club needs to find an identity and make it work. Fast-MS