Still my favorite goal of the year

Andrea Pirlo scores to make it 1-1 against Real Madrid in the Champions League

To see my second favorite goal of the year (Inzaghi's game winner in Milan's 2-1 victory over Olympique de Marseille), click here.

Match report: Zurich 1 - Milan 1

• Goals scored: Gajic 30', Ronaldinho 64' (penalty)
• What happened: Milan looked mediocre and were lucky to get a draw. Real Madrid beat Marseille 3-1, however, so Milan advance to the knockout round of the Champions League.
• Potentially bad news: Thiago Silva had to leave the game early with a calf injury.
• Startling news: Bayern Munich defeated Juventus. (See photo below) Bayern Munich advance and Juventus are out.
• What this match teaches us: Cristiano Ronaldo is not all bad-- his two goals for Real Madrid helped ensure that Milan advance to the next round.

Match report: Milan 1 - Marseille 1

• Goals scored: Borriello 10', Lucho Gonzalez 16'
• What happened: Both sides looked like they were trying to lose the match on purpose. Defenders failed to defend; midfielders turned the ball over; attackers missed wide open shots. Milan were lucky to get a draw.
• What this match teaches us: Match-fixing scandals can make us wonder whether out favorite players are incompetent or deceitful.
• What happens next: On December 8, Milan travel to Switzerland to play FC Zurich. If they win, they qualify for the next round of the Champions League. Marseille are at home against Real Madrid, who have already qualified for the next round. If Marseille tie or lose, then Milan moves on to the next round. The only way Milan cannot qualify for the next round is if they lose or tie and Marseille wins.

Match report: Olympique de Marseille 1 - Milan 2

The group stage of the Champions League started yesterday. Milan's first game was in Marseilles. Below is the important information:

• Goals scored: Inzaghi 28', Heinze 49', Inzaghi 74'
• What happened: A terrifying rainstorm...a deranged sea of fans in blue and white chanting and jumping up and down...a Milan goal in the first half on a nice pass from Seedorf to Inzaghi...wave after wave of attacks by Marseille in the second half (including the tying goal)...Milan looking tired and half-full of panic...a completely unexpected and fantastic goal by Milan -- again Seedorf to Inzaghi.
• What this match teaches us: Seedorf rules one half of the known universe. Inzaghi rules the other half.

Champions League draw

The groups were chosen for the Champions League today. Milan will be in Group C along with Olympique de Marseille, FC Zurich, and Real Madrid. If you have forgotten why this might be interesting, see the photo below.