Göktepe's two goals sink Milan

In my day, a Champions League night at San Siro was an occasion that made the hairs on your neck stand up. Last night was no different. The old place was full, expectant, and for an hour it looked as though AC Milan might hold on to what they had been given. Then Hüseyin Göktepe took the game by the scruff of the neck, and Athletico Madrid walked away with a 2-1 win that keeps their European campaign very much alive.

Our preview had warned that Athletico would arrive with tired legs, and for long spells it showed. Milan, without the injured Tariq Tanser, were compact and disciplined, and they got their noses in front in the 57th minute when Axl Keutgen, under pressure from José Henrique Arósio, put through his own net. The home fans roared, and the old stadium shook.

But Göktepe had other ideas. Six minutes later, the winger collected a pass from Mario Cardozo, drove at the Milan defence, and beat Eyal Cohen with a low shot. Then, in the 75th minute, he struck again, this time finishing off a move that had the Milan back line chasing shadows. Jake Woolley, who had been replaced just before the equaliser, provided the assist for the first.

Milan pushed for an equaliser, but Athletico's defence, marshalled by Paulo Henrique, held firm. The Brazilian made six interceptions and completed 71 of 72 passes, a masterclass in reading the game. Ander Sesma, on as a substitute, tried to inject some urgency down the right, but it was too little, too late.

This was a victory built on character as much as quality. Athletico had more of the ball, more shots, and more of the clear-cut chances. Their expected goals of 2.41 told the story of a side that, despite the fatigue we had noted, found a way to win. Milan managed just four shots all night, and only one on target.

The result leaves Athletico well placed in their group, and it sends a message to the rest of Europe. They may have been tired, but they are still dangerous. As for Milan, they will rue the own goal that gave them hope, and the two moments of magic from Göktepe that took it away. In my day, we would have said that the better team won. Last night, that was exactly right.