AC Milan Defeat, pressure on Leonardo

Zurich defender Hannu Tihinen celebrates his goal against Milan

Milan suffered a shock home defeat to FC Zurich in Champions League (UCL) Group C, thanks to Hannu Tihinen's solitary first-half strike. The result leaves Milan on three points from two games, level with Zurich – who had been swept aside 5-2 by Real Madrid in the opening round of fixtures.

Finnish defender Tihinen was the hero for the Swiss side, back-heeling a 10th-minute corner past Marco Storari in the Milan goal to give the visitors a lead they refused to relinquish. The closest Milan came to salvaging a point was when Gianluca Zambrotta hit the post in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Despite having 22 efforts on the Zurich goal, the Rossoneri struggled for rhythm and could have been 2-0 down at the break, Xavier Margairaz missing an excellent chance with a quarter of the game gone.

Real Madrid top the group with six points, and will welcome Milan to the Bernabéu in three weeks' time. The Italians have some breathing space, having previously won at Marseille, but after failing to overcome Zurich, manager Leonardo may view consecutive fixtures against Real with growing unease.