2011–12 AC Milan season

Milan began their pre-season training at Milanello on Tuesday, 12 July 2011.[3] The following week, on 20 July, they contested the first friendly, an away match against neighboring side Solbiatese Arno. The Rossoneri easily won with a score of 12–0.[4]

As part of the Audi Cup, Milan then played two friendlies against Bayern Munich and Internacional at the Allianz Arena in Munich on 26 and 27 July, respectively. The first game finished 1–1. Zlatan Ibrahimović opened the scoring only for Toni Kroos to equalize late in the first half. Milan subsequently lost 5–3 on penalties, with Alberto Paloschi committing the only, and eventually deciding, error.[5] The second game was a 2–2 draw. Ibrahimović once again opened the scoring, before Leandro Damião equalized in the 20th minute, and then Milan took a new lead through Alexandre Pato in the 60th minute only for Andrés D'Alessandro to tie the game ten minutes from time. The Rossoneri were defeated 2–0 on penalties, being unable to convert any of their four attempts.[6]

After travelling to China, where they played their first competitive match of the season, a 2–1 win over city rivals Internazionale in the Supercoppa Italiana on 6 August,[7] Milan resumed their pre-season schedule facing Malmö FF in Sweden on 14 August. The Rossoneri took the lead in 27th minute when Urby Emanuelson raced into the box and crossed the ball to Antonio Cassano, who easily headed it in. Malmö equalised nine minutes later through Jimmy Durmaz, who curled a shot from just outside the penalty area. Three minutes into the second half, Malmö took a 2–1 lead when Tobias Malm stole the ball in midfield, combined with Alexander Nilsson and finally beat Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Milan managed to equalise in the last minute of the game, as a cross by Cassano was headed in by youth team player Kingsley Boateng. With no extra time, the match was to be decided by a three-kick penalty shoot-out, which Milan won 3–2, as Abbiati pulled off a save on Malmö's third attempt.[8][9][10]

Four days later, Milan returned to Italy to contest the TIM Trophy. They took on Juventus in the second game of the evening, after the latter had lost the first game to Inter on penalties. Milan took the lead in the 13th minute through Antonio Cassano, but Juventus fought back, equalising eight minutes later with Arturo Vidal and scoring the winning goal in injury time through Alessandro Matri. The Rossoneri also lost the third and final game against Inter, with Diego Milito scoring the lone goal, thus allowing them to win the trophy.[11]

Milan concluded their pre-season with the annual Luigi Berlusconi Trophy, in which they played against Juventus at the San Siro on 21 August. Kevin-Prince Boateng opened the scoring for the Rossoneri in the ninth minute, volleying past Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from a cross by Ignazio Abate. Fourteen minutes later, Milan doubled their lead, as Clarence Seedorf scored with a curled free-kick off the post. In the second half, Milan players looked more tired and Juventus managed to pull one back through Mirko Vučinić, but the Rossoneri held on to win the game 2–1.[12]

Following the players' strike that forced the postponement of the first weekend of league fixtures, however,[13] Milan announced they would play another friendly match, away against Como, on 1 September.[14] The Rossoneri took the lead in the 22nd minute through Massimo Ambrosini, who was set up by Stephan El Shaarawy, but the hosts equalised two minutes later with a goal from Umberto Miello. In the second half, Urby Emanuelson converted a penalty to give Milan the final lead.[15]

On 4 January 2012, Milan played their first game of the new year with a friendly against French side Paris Saint-Germain in Dubai for the Emirates Challenge. The game got off to a good start for Milan as Ibrahimović drew the goalkeeper out of his goal and passed to Alexandre Pato for the opener in the fourth minute. The game progressed with neither team looking much better than the other, but both could not convert any more chances and the game ended 1–0 in Milan's favour.[16]

  Win   Draw   Loss

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F – A	Scorers	Attendance
20 July 2011	Solbiatese Arno	A	12 – 0	Seedorf 3', Viscomi 4' (o.g.), Cassano 5', Valoti 11', Flamini 13', Ibrahimović 29', 40', Paloschi 48', Zambrotta 59', Emanuelson 69', Inzaghi 77', Comi 84'	4,500[17]
26 July 2011	Bayern Munich	A	1 – 1 (3 – 5p)	Ibrahimović 4'	n/a
28 July 2011	Internacional	N	2 – 2 (0 – 2p)	Ibrahimović 3', Pato 60'	n/a
14 August 2011	Malmö	A	2 – 2 (3 – 2p)	Cassano 27', Kingsley Boateng 89'	23,180
18 August 2011	Juventus (45 mins)	N	1 – 2	Cassano 13'	n/a
18 August 2011	Internazionale (45 mins)	N	0 – 1		n/a
21 August 2011	Juventus	H	2 – 1	Boateng 9', Seedorf 23'	41,302
1 September 2011	Como	A	2 – 1	Ambrosini 22', Emanuelson 56' (pen.)	3,500
4 January 2012	Paris Saint-Germain	N	1 – 0	Pato 4'	n/a

As Serie A Champions, Milan kicked their season off with an appearance in the Supercoppa Italiana, facing Coppa Italia holders, Internazionale at the Beijing National Stadium on 6 August.[18] Inter took the lead after 21 minutes with a 25-yard free kick by Wesley Sneijder. Later on, the Rossoneri nearly leveled the score when a header by Zlatan Ibrahimović struck the post. On the hour mark, Milan managed to equalise, as Ibrahimović headed into an empty net a cross by Clarence Seedorf. Ten minutes later, a shot by Alexandre Pato was deflected by Inter goalkeeper Júlio César on the post only for Kevin-Prince Boateng to convert from close range, setting the final score to 2–1.[7] For Milan, it was the sixth time they won the trophy, making them the most successful club in the history of the competition.[19]

  Win   Draw   Loss

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F – A	Scorers	Attendance
6 August 2011	Internazionale	N	2 – 1 Archived 2011-09-11 at the Wayback Machine	Ibrahimović 60', Boateng 69'	70,000[20]

Abbiati Abate Nesta Silva Antonini Aquilani Nocerino Van Bommel Ibrahimović Boateng Robinho

Starting line-up. Despite his high number of appearances during the season, Urby Emanuelson was often being considered a jolly, that is a substitute able to play in many different roles (in Emanuelson's case, mainly as left midfielder, trequartista or, more rarely, left-back).

The fixtures for the 2011–12 Serie A season were announced by the Serie A on 27 July.[21] Milan were to kick-off their schedule away at Cagliari on Saturday, 27 August, but following a strike declared by Serie A players over the lack of a collective bargaining agreement, the first day of the league season has been postponed to a future date.[13]

Following another week off for an international break, Milan started their season, playing host to Lazio on Friday, 9 September. A few minutes into the game, newly signed Alberto Aquilani broke into the Lazio penalty area, but one on one with goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri, he fired straight at him. Instead, it was Lazio who took the lead, as in 12th minute Miroslav Klose took down Stefano Mauri's cross, turned inside Alessandro Nesta and beat goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Less than ten minutes later, Lazio scored again through Djibril Cissé, who headed in another cross by Mauri. Milan pulled one back in the 29th minute, when Antonio Cassano, set up by Aquilani inside the box, passed the ball to Zlatan Ibrahimović for the tap-in. Four minutes later, Cassano himself tied the game with a header from a corner. Eighteen minutes into the second half, Cassano went close to find the winning goal, hitting the outside of the left post. Lazio had a chance of his own two minutes later, as Cissé nudged the ball past Abbiati and heading to the goal, before Nesta managed to touch it wide. The match finished in a 2–2 draw.[22]

For the next game, Milan travelled to Naples to take on Napoli in the evening of Sunday, 18 September. Both teams had played Champions League ties in midweek, Milan drawing 2–2 at Barcelona on Tuesday and Napoli drawing 1–1 at Manchester City on Wednesday. The Rossoneri were also in the midst of an injury crisis, with as many as seven players out,[23] including the previous season's topscorer, Zlatan Ibrahimović. Nonetheless, Milan took the lead eleven minutes into the game through Alberto Aquilani, who scored his first goal for the club, heading Antonio Cassano's cross past Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis. The hosts reaction came only two minutes later, as Edinson Cavani found the equaliser following a free-kick. Napoli started to press forward and in the 36th minute they went ahead with another goal by Cavani on a fast-paced counter-attack. Milan had a chance to pull level when Aquilani was once again set up inside the box by Cassano, but the effort was denied by De Sanctis' save. A few minutes after the break, Cavani completed his hat-trick, making it 3–1 after Milan's defence failed to clear the ball inside the area. The Rossoneri tried to fight back but produced no major threats until the final whistle.[24]

Three days later, Milan took the field again, playing host to unbeaten Udinese at the San Siro. The Rossoneri lost Alexandre Pato to an injury in the 21st minute and eight minutes later they went down 1–0, as goalkeeper Christian Abbiati failed to control a cross by Gabriel Torje, fumbling the ball for an Antonio Di Natale empty net tap-in. Moments before the interval, Milan nearly leveled the score when a free-kick from just outside the penalty area by Clarence Seedorf struck the post to the left of goalkeeper Samir Handanović. Eighteen minutes into the second half, the Rossoneri did tie the game: Antonio Cassano set up Stephan El Shaarawy inside the box for the Italian to fire home a low drive to the far post. Udinese later had three chances to win before the final whistle, hitting the woodwork once and then forcing Abbiati to make two crucial saves to preserve the 1–1 tie.[25]

Pato's absence intensified Milan's already deep injury crisis, as he joined strikers Zlatan Ibrahimović and Robinho, midfielders Massimo Ambrosini, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Gennaro Gattuso and Mathieu Flamini and defenders Luca Antonini, Daniele Bonera and Philippe Mexès on the sidelines.[26] Nonetheless, on Saturday, 24 September, Milan achieved their first league win of the season, beating Cesena 1–0 at the San Siro. Clarence Seedorf scored the lone goal, firing a 25-yard curled shot, following a corner kick.[27]

After defeating Viktoria Plzeň in their midweek Champions League game, Milan travelled to the Juventus Stadium in Turin to take on a still-unbeaten Juventus on Sunday, 2 October. The hosts created several scoring chances in the first half and came close to scoring in the 37th minute, as Mirko Vučinić hit the crossbar with a right-footed shot from the edge of the area. The home side came close to scoring again moments before the break, but Vučinić's drive went just wide of the far post. Juventus kept pressing forward after the break and nearly scored with Leonardo Bonucci, who was palmed over the bar by Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Milan then had an opportunity of their own, but Kevin-Prince Boateng was denied by Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Three minutes from time, however, Juventus took the lead: Daniele Bonera's clearance deflected off Claudio Marchisio and into the net. Seconds later, the Rossoneri were left down to ten men with Boateng being sent off for second yellow card. In injury time, Marchisio set the final score to 2–0, as his volley from outside the box went in between Abbiati's legs.[28]

After an international break, Milan played host to Palermo on Saturday, 15 October. The Rossoneri were dangerous from the whistle, with Ibrahimović and Cassano forcing multiple saves from goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas. Tzorvas also denied Robinho in the 38th minute, parrying an initial shot straight back to the Brazilian and then deflecting the follow-up effort. Milan, however, took the lead one minute later when Ibrahimović provided a cross to Alberto Aquilani, who headed the ball to Antonio Nocerino for a close range tap-in. Ibrahimović also provided the assist for Milan's second goal in the 55th minute, delivering a pin-point pass to Robinho who beat Tzorvas one-on-one. Eight minutes later, Cassano set the final score to 3–0, firing home a pass from Ignazio Abate.[29]

After defeating BATE Borisov in their Champions League game, Milan traveled to the Stadio Via del Mare on Sunday, 23 October to take on Lecce, whom they had not beaten away from home in ten years. Guillermo Giacomazzi gave Lecce the lead in the fourth minute with a deft headed flick from Carlos Grossmüller's in-swinging free-kick, taking the ball past goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. Milan had a couple of chances but could not convert them, and in the 30th minute Abbiati was called for a foul on Daniele Corvia after he spilled a caught ball from a corner, with the referee awarding a penalty, despite replays seeming to show that it was a dive by the player. Former Milan player Massimo Oddo converted to put Lecce up 2–0. Milan continued to make defensive mistakes when in the 37th minute Luca Antonini let his blocked ball slip to Grossmüller who fired hom to make it 3–0 for Lecce before halftime. The second half began with Kevin-Prince Boateng and Alberto Aquilani replacing Massimo Ambrosini and Robinho. These substitutions proved crucial, as Boateng scored a hat-trick within a span of 14 minutes to put Milan level at 3–3, before Mario Yepes converted a cross by Antonio Cassano with a header into the top right corner to complete Milan's comeback in the 83rd minute.[30]

Three days later, Milan played host to Parma at the San Siro. Milan started the game with confidence, controlling much of the play and in the 30th minute Antonio Nocerino gave Milan the lead with a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the net after the ball rebounded off a Parma player. He doubled his tally two minutes later with a left-footed strike from outside the box, making the scoreline 2–0 for Milan. In the 73rd minute, Ibrahimović added to Milan's lead with a right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner, assisted by Antonio Cassano with a headed pass following a fast break. Five minutes later though, Sebastian Giovinco scored a consolation goal for Parma as he threaded the ball through Christian Abbiati's legs to make it 3–1. Yet, in the dying minutes of the game, Nocerino completed his hat-trick with a headed goal into the bottom left corner of Antonio Mirante's net to win it for Milan 4–1.[31]

Milan completed a three-game week visiting the Stadio Olimpico to take on Roma on Saturday, 29 October. The Rossoneri started the game well, getting ahead in the 17th minute with Zlatan Ibrahimović, who got behind an Alberto Aquilani cross from the right and placed a headed shot into the right side of Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg's net. Roma struggled to break Milan's defence until the 28th minute when Nicolás Burdisso scored his first goal of the season by running into the six-yard box to meet Miralem Pjanić's cross with his head and beating Milan goalkeeper Abbiati. Roma's joy was short-lived, however, as Milan went back in front two minutes later: Robinho's corner was met by Alessandro Nesta, who nodded past Stekelenburg. In the 65th minute, Boateng was sent off right after being substituted for saying something to the fourth official. Roma could not get back on terms, and Milan were soon back on the attack and celebrating their third goal as Ibrahimović headed in a cross by Aquilani into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. The game had not concluded, however, and in the 87th minute Bojan struck the ball into the back of the net after Abbiati was unable to hold on to substitute Erik Lamela's strike. Shortly after, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was sent off for protesting about a throw-in, but the game ended with Milan taking the victory by 3–2.[32]

After drawing 1–1 in their mid-week Champions League game against BATE Borisov, Milan played host to Catania on Sunday, 6 November. Seven minutes into the game, Robinho was brought down by Davide Lanzafame inside the box and Milan were awarded a penalty, which Ibrahimović converted for the 1–0 lead. The lead was doubled in the 24th minute through Robinho, who beat Catania's goalkeeper Mariano Andújar on the far post, following a pinpoint pass by Ibrahimović. In the second half, the Rossoneri added other two goals to their tally: in the 69th minute, when Catania's Francesco Lodi deflected Robinho's shot into his own net, and three minutes later through Gianluca Zambrotta, whose left-footed strike made it 4–0.[33]

Following a two-week break for internationals, Milan resumed his league schedule in Florence to take on Fiorentina on Saturday, 19 November. The game ended in a scoreless draw, though Clarence Seedorf had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, despite replays showing that he actually was in line.[34] The following week, after losing to Barcelona in a mid–week Champions League game on Wednesday, the Rossoneri defeated Chievo 4–0 at home on Sunday, with first-half goals by Thiago Silva, Ibrahimović twice and Pato.[35] Milan took the field again to face Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Friday, 2 December. After a goalless first half, Milan went ahead in the 56th minute thanks to a penalty earned and converted by Ibrahimović. Eleven minutes from time, Antonio Nocerino made it 2–0.[36]

After playing their last Champions League group stage game – an away draw against Viktoria Plzeň – on Tuesday, Milan travelled to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara to face Bologna on Sunday, 11 December. The hosts took the lead in the 11th minute through their captain Marco Di Vaio, who beat Milan back-up goalkeeper Marco Amelia with a long-range lob following a counter-attack. Five minutes later, Boateng combined with Seedorf and the Dutch fired home the equaliser in the top corner from just outside the penalty box. Milan went ahead in the 21st minute of the second half with a penalty earned and converted by Ibrahimović. Less than two minutes later, though, Alessandro Diamanti tied the game up again as his angled shot from outside the box was not held by Amelia, setting the final score to 2–2.[37]

The following week, Milan played host to Siena. The visitors almost went ahead in the 23rd minute, when Francesco Bolzoni tipped the ball past Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia, but his shot went outside of the far post. Nine minutes into the second half, however, Seedorf's corner was laid back by Robinho to Antonio Nocerino, who fired home a low shot into the bottom corner to give Milan the lead. Eight minutes later, the Rossoneri were awarded a penalty as Boateng was apparently brought down by Siena goalkeeper Željko Brkić; Ibrahimović stepped up to score from the spot as Milan went on to win the game 2–0.[38]

Milan played their last game before the winter break away against Cagliari on Tuesday, 20 December. They took the lead four minutes into the games with an own goal by Cagliari defender Francesco Pisano, who deflected Robinho's cross into his own net in an attempt to prevent Antonio Nocerino from reaching the ball. Albin Ekdal nearly leveled the score with a 30-yard shot ten minutes later, but his effort was denied by Abbiati. Abbiati pulled off another save on a header by Víctor Ibarbo in the early stages of the second half. On the hour mark, Milan doubled their lead, as Ibrahimović combined with Robinho and put the ball past Michael Agazzi.[39]

Milan resumed their league schedule on Sunday, 8 January, taking on Atalanta in Bergamo. The hosts had the first scoring opportunities of the game, first with Ezequiel Schelotto and then with Simone Padoin. However, Milan were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute, as Pato was brought down by Thomas Manfredini. Ibrahimović converted to give the Rossoneri the lead. In the second half, Atalanta came close to tie the game as Germán Denis' header hit the woodwork, but with eight minutes left, Ibrahimović picked out Boateng in the centre of the penalty area and the Ghanaian struck it home, setting the final score to 2–0.[40]

The following week, Milan faced city rivals Internazionale. Five minutes into the game, Inter had a goal disallowed for offside. In the last minute of the first half, Mark van Bommel hit the crossbar with a shot from outside the box and Inter goalkeeper Júlio César then denied Urby Emanuelson's effort on the rebound. Inter opened the scoring in the 54th minute: Milan defender Ignazio Abate failed to intercept a crossfield pass and slipped, allowing Diego Milito to receive the ball and score. The game ended 1–0, as Milan did not manage to pose any major threat in the remaining part of the game.[41]

After defeating Novara in the Coppa Italia round of 16 in mid-week, Milan travelled to the Stadio Silvio Piola to take them on again in a league game on Sunday, 22 January. The Rossoneri claimed a 3–0 win with two second-half goals by Ibrahimović and one by Robinho.[42]

The following week, Milan defeated Lazio in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals on Thursday, before taking on Cagliari at home on Sunday. The Rossoneri took the lead in the 32nd minute, as Ibrahimović fired home a free kick from 25 yards. Seven minutes later, he provided an assist to Antonio Nocerino, who volleyed the ball for the 2–0 lead. Fifteen minutes from time, Massimo Ambrosini scored Milan's third and final goal after coming off the bench eight minutes earlier.[43]

Three days later, Milan took the field again for a mid-week game against Lazio in Rome. After a goalless first half, the hosts took the lead in the 76th minute, when Tommaso Rocchi fed Hernanes inside the box and the Brazilian scored with a right-footed strike towards the left corner of Abbiati's goal. Nine minutes later, following a fast counter-attack, Rocchi himself beat Abbiati again with a volley off Senad Lulić's cross, setting the final score to 2–0.[44]

Milan played host to Napoli on Sunday, 5 February. The game ended in a scoreless draw, with the Rossoneri ending the game down to ten men as Ibrahimović was ejected in the 64th minute for slapping Napoli defender Salvatore Aronica during an altercation.[45]

After losing to Juventus at home in the Coppa Italia semi-finals first leg in mid-week, Milan travelled to Stadio Friuli to face Udinese on Saturday, 11 February. The hosts took the lead in the 17th minute through Antonio Di Natale, who collected the ball after a combination with Gélson Fernandes and fired a shot that deflected off Milan defender Thiago Silva and into the net. Udinese had chances to double their lead but failed to do so. With 13 minutes remaining, substitute Maxi López equalised, nodding the ball in after a shot by Stephan El Shaarawy was saved by Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanović. Eight minutes later, López provided El Shaarawy with the assist for the winning goal.[46]

Following a mid-week home victory against Arsenal in the Champions League round of 16, Milan took on Cesena at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi on Sunday, 19 February. The Rossoneri started the game aggressively with several goal attempts in the opening minutes. Two minutes before the half hour mark, Milan finally managed to score through Sulley Muntari. The Ghanaian, at his debut with the Rossoneri, found the back of the net on a rebound after Cesena goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli saved Thiago Silva's free-kick. A couple of minutes later, Urby Emanuelson combined with Robinho and made it 2–0 with a left-footed strike from outside the box. The hosts looked more dangerous at the beginning of the second half as the unmarked Adrian Mutu headed over from close range. Milan, however, increased their lead in the 55th minute as Ignazio Abate set up Robinho inside the box and the Brazilian beat Antonioli. Ten minutes later, Cesena pulled one back through Daniel Pudil but eventually the game ended 3–1.[47]

With team top-scorer Zlatan Ibrahimović serving the last of a three-game suspension and midfielders Clarence Seedorf, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Alberto Aquilani out due to injury, Milan played host to Juventus on Saturday, 25 February.[48] Milan took the lead after 14 minutes, with a shot from outside the box by Antonio Nocerino. Later on, Sulley Muntari seemed to have made it 2–0 when his headed effort was saved by Juventus 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon inside the line, but the referee did not award the goal. Seven minutes from time, Alessandro Matri pulled off an equaliser with a volley from close-range.[49]

The following Saturday, Milan travelled to the Stadio Renzo Barbera to take on Palermo. The returning Ibrahimović moved to the top of the scorers table as he scored a hat-trick between the 21st and the 35th minute to give Milan a 3–0 lead. Five minutes later he came close to score a fourth, but Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano denied him from close range. In the second half, Thiago Silva added to Milan's tally with a header off Stephan El Shaarawy's cross, setting the final score to 4–0.[50]

After losing the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Arsenal in mid-week, Milan played host to Lecce on Sunday, 11 March. The Rossoneri took an early lead on six minutes, as Antonio Nocerino fired home off Zlatan Ibrahimović's pass. In the second half the Swede himself made it 2–0 with a strike from outside the box. As Juventus drew their game away at Genoa, Milan extended their lead at the top of the league table to four points.[51] Milan went on to win 2–0 away at Parma the following Saturday, thanks to a penalty converted by Ibrahimović in the 17th minute and a second half goal by Urby Emanuelson.[52]

After playing the return leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals in mid-week, Milan played host to Roma on Saturday, 24 March. Despite having several scoring chances, they went behind one minute before the interval as Pablo Osvaldo fired home from close range after Daniele De Rossi's pass. Eight minutes into the second half, however, the Rossoneri were awarded a penalty due to a handball by De Rossi, which Ibrahimović converted to tie the game. The Swede almost put Milan in front with a free-kick which went just over the bar and then Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg deflected Sulley Muntari's attempt onto the bar. With seven minutes remaining, Ibrahimović found the winning goal heading home Muntari's cross from close range.[53]

The following week, after drawing against Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, Milan travelled to the Stadio Angelo Massimino to face Catania on Saturday, 31 March. The visitors nearly took the lead through Urby Emanuelson, who failed to beat goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo in a one-on-one situation on seven minutes. Ten minutes later, Carrizo denied Zlatan Ibrahimović, before Catania had a chance with Gonzalo Bergessio heading over the crossbar. In the 35th minute, Ibrahimović played the ball through for Robinho, who beat Carrizo with a low shot into the bottom corner, putting Milan ahead. Catania reacted immediately with Alejandro Gómez firing a shot from outside the penalty area and hitting the crossbar. Early in the second half, Gómez was controversially denied an equaliser for offside, despite the Argentinian striker appearing to be in an onside position. However, the hosts did tie the game in the 57th minute through Nicolás Spolli, who beat Christian Abbiati from close range after Nicola Legrottaglie headed Gómez's free-kick towards him. Nine minutes later referee Mauro Bergonzi took another controversial decision, as he ruled that Giovanni Marchese cleared Robinho's shot off the goal line in time to prevent the ball from crossing the line completely. Both sides looked for a winner in the finals minutes, but the game ended 1–1.[54]

Following their elimination in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday, Milan took the field at home against Fiorentina on Saturday, 7 April. Despite the visitors being more aggressive in the early stages, the Rossoneri took the lead on 31 minutes with a penalty by Zlatan Ibrahimović, after a foul by Matija Nastasić on Maxi López. However, Fiorentina tied the game in the second minute of the second half through Stevan Jovetić. The game then appeared to be heading for a draw, before Amauri found the winning goal for the visitors in the 89th minute.[55] The subsequent win by Juventus against Palermo in the evening left Milan one point behind Juve in the league standings.[56]

Milan returned to winning ways on Tuesday, 10 April, as they snapped up a 1–0 victory in Verona against Chievo, thanks to an eight-minute goal by Sulley Muntari.[57] However, they were held to a 1–1 draw by Bologna on Sunday, 22 April. They had fallen behind on 26 minutes, as Gastón Ramírez scored on a counter-attack led by Alessandro Diamanti. The tying goal was scored by Ibrahimović in the last minute, despite Milan being left down to ten men after Daniele Bonera's ejection.[58] This draw left Milan three points behind Juventus in the league table, following Juve's win over Roma in the evening.[59]

The Rossoneri snapped up a home victory over Genoa three days later, thanks to a late goal by Kevin-Prince Boateng, and remained three points behind Juventus, who were victorious in Cesena.[60] Milan claimed another victory on Sunday, 29 April, when they defeated Siena 4–1 away. The first goal was scored by Antonio Cassano on 26 minutes, after Siena goalkeeper Željko Brkić failed to hold the ball following a cross by Ibrahimović. Three minutes later, Ibrahimović made it 2-0 with a left foot strike into the top-left corner from ten yards. The hosts pulled one back through Erjon Bogdani seven minutes from time, but Milan sealed the deal with two goals by Antonio Nocerino and Ibrahimović in stoppage time.[61] Juventus, however, beat Novara to retain a three-point lead in the table.[62]

Milan claimed a third straight win in another mid-week clash at home against Atalanta on Wednesday, 2 May. The Rossoneri took the lead on nine minutes through Sulley Muntari, who volleyed the ball in off a cross by Kevin-Prince Boateng. Robinho set the final score to 2–0 in injury time, with a close range diving header following a deflection by Atalanta goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.[63] The win allowed Milan to cut Juventus' lead in the table to one single point with two games remaining, as they were held to a home draw by Lecce.[64]

Four days later Milan took the field again to face city rivals Internazionale. The Rossoneri fell behind on a 14th-minute goal by Diego Milito and only a save by Christian Abbiati, who plucked Esteban Cambiasso's header out from on the goal line, prevented Inter to go 2–0 ten minutes before the break. Instead, on 44 minutes Milan were awarded a penalty as Júlio César was deemed by referee Nicola Rizzoli to have fouled Kevin-Prince Boateng, despite replays showing that he only pushed the ball. Zlatan Ibrahimović stepped up and converted the spot-kick to tie the game. Only 30 seconds into the second half, Ibrahimović took the ball past Lúcio and lifted it over Júlio César into the far corner to put Milan ahead. Six minutes later, however, Ignazio Abate took Milito down inside the box and the Argentinian striker converted the resulting penalty to tie the game. In the 79th minute, Inter were awarded another penalty, this time for a handball by Alessandro Nesta. Milito once again converted completing his hat-trick and giving Inter a new lead. Maicon then sealed the win with a strike into the top left-hand corner from outside the box in the 88th minute.[65] By winning against Cagliari on that same evening, Juventus regained a four-point lead over Milan with only one game left to play, thus securing the title.[66]

For the last game of the season, Milan played host to an already relegated Novara side at the San Siro. The visitors took the lead with Santiago García on 20 minutes, but in the second half, Milan pulled back and won with goals by Mathieu Flamini and Filippo Inzaghi in the 56th and 82nd minutes respectively.[67]

  Win   Draw   Loss

Matches

Milan v Lazio

9 September 2011 1	Milan	2–2	Lazio	Milan
	Ibrahimović 29' Cassano 33'	Report		Stadium: San Siro Attendance: 48,543

Napoli v Milan

18 September 2011 2	Napoli	3–1	Milan	Napoli
		http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=327175&cc=5739 1 – 3]	Aquilani 11'	Stadium: Stadio San Paolo Attendance: 51,025

Milan v Udinese

21 September 2011 3	Milan	1–1	Udinese	Milan
	El Shaarawy 63'	Report		Stadium: San Siro Attendance: 37,592

Milan v Cesena

24 September 2011 4	Milan	1–0	Cesena	Milan
	Seedorf 5'	Report		Stadium: San Siro Attendance: 39,225

Juventus v Milan

2 October 2011 5	Juventus	2–0	Milan	Torino
		Report		Stadium: Juventus Stadium Attendance: 37,281

Milan v Palermo

15 October 2011 6	Milan	3–0	Palermo	Milan
	Nocerino 39' Robinho 55' Cassano 63'	Report		Stadium: San Siro Attendance: 44,992

Lecce v Milan

23 October 2011 7	Lecce	3–4	Milan	Lecce
		Report	Boateng 49' 55' 63' Yepes 83'	Stadium: Stadio via del Mare Attendance: 13,295

Milan v Parma

26 October 2011 8	Milan	4–1	Parma
	Nocerino 30', 32', 90+2' Ibrahimović 73'	Report		Attendance: 35,753

Roma v Milan

29 October 2011 9	Roma	2–3	Milan
		Report

Milan v Catania

6 November 2011 10	Milan	4–0	Catania
	Ibrahimović 7' (pen.) Robinho 24' Lodi 69' (o.g.) Zambrotta 72'	Report		Attendance: 44,091

Fiorentina v Milan

19 November 2011 11	Fiorentina	0–0	Milan
		Report		Attendance: 33,295

Milan v Chievo

27 November 2011 12	Milan	4–0	Chievo
	Silva 8' Ibrahimović 16', 44' (pen.) Pato 33'	Report		Attendance: 40,891

Genoa v Milan

2 December 2011 13	Genoa	0–2	Milan
		Report	Ibrahimović 56' (pen.) Nocerino 79'	Attendance: 22,864

Bologna v Milan

11 December 2011 14	Bologna	2–2	Milan
		Report	Seedorf 16' Ibrahimović 71' (pen.)	Attendance: 25,736

Milan v Siena

17 December 2011 15	Milan	2–0	Siena
	Nocerino 54' Ibrahimović 63' (pen.)	Report		Attendance: 41,759

Cagliari v Milan

20 December 2011 16	Cagliari	0–2	Milan
		Report	Pisano 4' (o.g.) Ibrahimović 60'	Attendance: 20,000

Atalanta v Milan

8 January 2012 17	Atalanta	0–2	Milan
		Report	Ibrahimović 22' (pen.) Boateng 82'	Attendance: 22,172

Milan v Internazionale

15 January 2012 18	Milan	0–1	Internazionale	San Siro
		Report		Attendance: 79,522

Novara v Milan

22 January 2012 19	Novara	0–3	Milan
		Report	Ibrahimović 57', 90' Robinho 73'	Attendance: 16,068

Milan v Cagliari

29 January 2012 20	Milan	3–0	Cagliari
	Ibrahimović 32' Nocerino 39' Ambrosini 75'	Report		Attendance: 40,242

Lazio v Milan

1 February 2012 21	Lazio	2–0	Milan	Roma
		Report		Attendance: 29,208

Milan v Napoli

5 February 2012 22	Milan	0–0	Napoli	Napoli
		Report		Attendance: 44,011

Udinese v Milan

11 February 2012 23	Udinese	1–2	Milan
		Report	López 77' El Shaarawy 85'	Attendance: 22,370

Cesena v Milan

19 February 2012 24	Cesena	1–3	Milan
		Report	Muntari 29' Emanuelson 31' Robinho 55'	Attendance: 20,021

Milan v Juventus

25 February 2012 25	Milan	1–1	Juventus
	Nocerino 15'	Report		Attendance: 79,208

Palermo v Milan

3 March 2012 26	Palermo	0–4	Milan
		Report	Ibrahimović 21', 31', 35' Silva 58'	Attendance: 22,246

Milan v Lecce

11 March 2012 27	Milan	2–0	Lecce
	Nocerino 7' Ibrahimović 64'	Report		Attendance: 54,329

Parma v Milan

17 March 2012 28	Parma	0–2	Milan	Parma
		Report	Ibrahimović 17' (pen.) Emanuelson 55'	Stadium: Stadio Ennio Tardini Attendance: 19,481

Milan v Roma

24 March 2012 29	Milan	2–1	Roma	Milan
	Ibrahimović 53' (pen.), 83'	Report		Stadium: San Siro Attendance: 59,133

Catania v Milan

31 March 2012 30	Catania	1–1	Milan	Catania
		Report	Robinho 34'	Attendance: 20,253

Milan v Fiorentina

7 April 2012 31	Milan	1–2	Fiorentina
	Ibrahimović 31' (pen.)	Report		Attendance: 58,646

Chievo v Milan

10 April 2012 32	Chievo	0–1	Milan
		Report	Muntari 8'	Attendance: 19,984

Milan v Bologna

22 April 2012 33	Milan	1–1	Bologna
	Ibrahimović 90'	Report		Attendance: 51,725

Milan v Genoa

25 April 2012 34	Milan	1–0	Genoa
	Boateng 86'	Report		Attendance: 48,295

Siena v Milan

29 April 2012 35	Siena	1–4	Milan
		Report	Cassano 26' Ibrahimović 29', 95' Nocerino 90'	Attendance: 14,655

Milan v Atalanta

2 May 2012 36	Milan	2–0	Atalanta
	Muntari 9' Robinho 93'	Report		Attendance: 38,204

Internazionale v Milan

6 May 2012 37	Internazionale	4–2	Milan
		Report	Ibrahimović 44' (pen.), 46'	Attendance: 78,222

Milan v Novara

13 May 2012 38	Milan	2–1	Novara
	Flamini 56', Inzaghi 82'	Report		Attendance: 45,211

For the 13th season in a row, Milan started the Coppa Italia directly in the round of 16, as one of the eight best seeded teams.[68] They took on Novara, who defeated Catania 3–2 in the fourth preliminary round.[69] The Rossoneri snapped up a 2–1 win at the San Siro after extra time. Milan opened the scoring through Stephan El Shaarawy in the 24th minute. However, they failed a couple of chances to stretch their lead and Novara managed to equalise two minutes from time after with a free kick by Ivan Radovanović. Nonetheless, Alexandre Pato scored the winning goal in the tenth minute of extra time, following a combination with Robinho.[70]

Milan faced Lazio at home in the quarter-finals on Thursday, 26 January. Lazio took the lead in the 5th minute through Djibril Cissé. However, Milan equalised with a volley by Robinho in the 14th minute and four minutes later Clarence Seedorf gave them the lead. In the second half, substitute Zlatan Ibrahimović scored Milan's third and final goal. The win sent the Rossoneri to the semi-finals for the second year in a row.[71]

Milan played host to Juventus in the first leg of the semi-finals on Wednesday, 8 February. The Rossoneri had to go into the game with as many as 13 players out through injuries and suspensions.[72] After a scoreless first half, Juventus took the lead through Martín Cáceres in the 53rd minute. The Uruguayan was quick to tap the ball in after Marco Borriello's shot was deflected by Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia. Milan equalised nine minutes later with Stephan El Shaarawy, who nodded the ball in after a header by Massimo Ambrosini off Luca Antonini's cross. However, seven minutes from time Cáceres scored the winning goal for the visitors with a curled strike from outside the box.[73]

The semi-finals second leg was played at the Juventus Stadium on Tuesday, 20 March. The hosts took the lead in the 28th minute through Alessandro Del Piero, despite replays showing he had first fouled Philippe Mexès and then controlled the ball with his arm before scoring. Milan equalised six minutes into the second half thanks to a diving header by Djamel Mesbah, who scored his first goal for the club. Substitute Maxi López fired home from just outside the box nine minutes from time, giving Milan a 2–1 lead and sending the game to extra time. However, six minutes into extra time, Mirko Vučinić unleashed a shot into the top left-hand corner. The game ended in a 2–2 draw, which meant that Milan were knocked out of the competition 4–3 on aggregate.[74]

  Win   Draw   Loss

Date	Round	Opponents	H / A	Result F – A	Scorers	Attendance
18 January 2012	Round of 16	Novara	H	2 – 1 (a.e.t.)	El Shaarawy 24', Pato 100'	1,920[75]
26 January 2012	Quarter-finals	Lazio	H	3 – 1	Robinho 15', Seedorf 18', Ibrahimović 84'	7,520[76]
8 February 2012	Semi-finals First leg	Juventus	H	1 – 2	El Shaarawy 62'	30,000[77]
20 March 2012	Semi-finals Second leg	Juventus	A	2 – 2 (a.e.t.)	Mesbah 51', López 81'	40,045[78]

As of 13 May 2012.[103][104]

No.	Pos.	Player	LA	LG	CA	CG	EA	EG	OA	OG	TA	TG
1	GK	Marco Amelia	9	0	4	0	1	0	0	0	14	0	0	0
2	DF	Taye Taiwo1	4	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	8	0	1	0
4	MF	Mark van Bommel	25	0	2	0	6	0	1	0	34	0	10	0
5	DF	Philippe Mexès	14	0	4	0	6	0	0	0	24	0	7	0
7	FW	Alexandre Pato	11	1	1	1	5	2	1	0	18	4	1	0
8	MF	Gennaro Gattuso	6	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	7	0	2	0
9	FW	Filippo Inzaghi	7	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	9	1	1	0
10	MF	Clarence Seedorf	18	2	3	1	8	0	1	0	30	3	6	0
11	FW	Zlatan Ibrahimović	32	28	3	1	8	5	1	1	44	35	4	1
13	DF	Alessandro Nesta	17	1	1	0	7	0	1	0	26	1	10	0
14	MF	Sulley Muntari2	13	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	14	3	7	0
15	MF	Djamel Mesbah2	8	0	2	1	2	0	0	0	12	1	1	0
16	MF	Mathieu Flamini	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0
18	MF	Alberto Aquilani	23	1	1	0	7	0	0	0	31	1	7	0
19	DF	Gianluca Zambrotta	12	1	0	0	3	0	1	0	16	1	4	0
20	DF	Ignazio Abate	29	0	2	0	8	0	1	0	40	0	5	0
21	FW	Maxi López2	8	1	2	1	1	0	0	0	11	2	1	0
22	MF	Antonio Nocerino	35	10	3	0	10	1	0	0	48	11	11	0
23	MF	Massimo Ambrosini (c)	22	1	2	0	6	0	1	0	31	1	13	0
24	MF	Rodney Strasser2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
25	DF	Daniele Bonera	20	0	3	0	6	0	0	0	29	0	5	1
27	MF	Kevin-Prince Boateng	19	5	0	0	7	3	1	1	27	9	4	2
28	MF	Urby Emanuelson	30	2	4	0	7	0	1	0	42	1	1	0
30	GK	Flavio Roma	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
32	GK	Christian Abbiati	31	0	0	0	9	0	1	0	41	0	0	0
33	DF	Thiago Silva	27	2	2	0	7	1	1	0	37	3	3	0
34	MF	Bryan Cristante	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
37	MF	Alexander Merkel2	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	1	0
52	DF	Mattia De Sciglio	3	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	5	0	0	0
54	MF	Simone Calvano	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
56	FW	Simone Andrea Ganz	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
57	MF	Mattia Valoti	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
70	FW	Robinho	28	6	3	1	8	3	1	0	40	10	3	0
76	DF	Mario Yepes	11	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	1	3	0
77	DF	Luca Antonini	20	0	3	0	4	0	0	0	27	0	6	0
92	FW	Stephan El Shaarawy	22	2	4	2	2	0	0	0	28	4	1	0
99	FW	Antonio Cassano	16	3	0	0	3	1	0	0	19	4	1	0
—	—	Opponents' own goals	—	2	—	0	—	0	—	0	—	2	—	—
Team total			38	74	4	8	10	16	1	2	53	100	120	4

¹ Player left the club during the season

² Player joined the club during the January transfer window

Milan's first two signings of the 2011–12 season were announced on 10 May 2011, as CEO Adriano Galliani confirmed the acquisition of defenders Philippe Mexès and Taye Taiwo on free transfers.[105] During the month of May, Milan focused on contract extensions, re-signing Mark van Bommel, Flavio Roma, Alessandro Nesta, Filippo Inzaghi, Massimo Ambrosini and Clarence Seedorf for one more season and Thiago Silva until 2016.[105] This left only three players on expiring contract: Andrea Pirlo, who subsequently joined Juventus,[106] Marek Jankulovski[107] and Nicola Legrottaglie, who later signed for Catania.[108]

In June, the Rossoneri made several deals with Genoa: Milan signed outright Kevin-Prince Boateng, Alberto Paloschi, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Rodney Strasser and Gianmarco Zigoni, all of whom were in co-ownership, plus Marco Amelia, who was on loan; in turn, Milan sold outright Sokratis Papastathopoulos and the part-ownership of Giacomo Beretta was renewed.[109][110] Besides, the Rossoneri took on co-ownership of Stephan El Shaarawy, while Alexander Merkel joined Genoa still on a co-ownership deal.[111]

In

Date	Pos.	Player	Moving from	Fee	Notes
17 May 2011	DF	Philippe Mexès	Roma	Free[105]	Effective from 1 July
19 May 2011	DF	Taye Taiwo	Marseille	Free[105]	Effective from 1 July
14 June 2011	GK	Marco Amelia	Genoa	Undisclosed[109]	Previously on loan
14 June 2011	FW	Gianmarco Zigoni	Genoa	Undisclosed[109]	Co-ownership resolved
22 June 2011	FW	Alberto Paloschi	Genoa	Undisclosed[110]	Co-ownership resolved
23 June 2011	MF	Wilfred Osuji	Varese	Undisclosed[112]	Co-ownership resolved
25 June 2011	FW	Stephan El Shaarawy	Genoa	Undisclosed[111]	Co-ownership deal
1 July 2011	GK	Ferdinando Coppola	Siena	Return from loan
1 July 2011	DF	Oguchi Onyewu	Twente	Return from loan
1 July 2011	FW	Gianmario Comi	Torino	Undisclosed[113]	Co-ownership deal
5 July 2011	DF	Ricardo Ferreira	Porto	Undisclosed[114]
26 August 2011	MF	Alberto Aquilani	Liverpool	Loan[115]	Option to fully purchase
31 August 2011	MF	Antonio Nocerino	Palermo	Undisclosed[116]
17 January 2012	MF	Alexander Merkel	Genoa	Loan[117]	Co-ownership deal
18 January 2012	DF	Djamel Mesbah	Lecce	Undisclosed[118]
27 January 2012	FW	Maxi López	Catania	Loan[119]	Option to fully purchase
31 January 2012	MF	Sulley Muntari	Internazionale	Loan[120]
31 January 2012	FW	Philipp Prosenik	Chelsea	Undisclosed[121]
31 January 2012	FW	Lucas Roggia	Internacional	Loan[122]	Joined Primavera squad

Out

Date	Pos.	Player	Moving to	Fee	Notes
24 May 2011	MF	Andrea Pirlo	Juventus	Free[106]	Effective from 1 July
14 June 2011	DF	Sokratis Papastathopoulos	Genoa	Undisclosed[109]	Effective from 1 July
25 June 2011	MF	Alexander Merkel	Genoa	Undisclosed[111]	Co-ownership deal
1 July 2011	DF	Marek Jankulovski	Unattached	Free[107]
1 July 2011	DF	Nicola Legrottaglie	Catania	Free	Joined new club on 25 August[108]
1 July 2011	DF	Oguchi Onyewu	Sporting CP	Undisclosed[123]
1 July 2011	FW	Marco Borriello	Roma	€10M[124]	Previously on loan
1 July 2011	FW	Simone Verdi	Torino	Undisclosed[113]	Co-ownership deal

Out on loan

Date	Pos.	Player	Moving to	Until	Notes
1 July 2011	GK	Ferdinando Coppola	Torino	30 June 2012[113]
1 July 2011	DF	Dídac Vilà	Espanyol	30 June 2012[125]
1 July 2011	FW	Nnamdi Oduamadi	Torino	30 June 2012[113]	Option to fully purchase
19 July 2011	MF	Rodney Strasser	Lecce	18 January 2012[126]	Terminated early[118]
8 August 2011	FW	Alberto Paloschi	Chievo	30 June 2012[127]	Option to purchase in co-ownership
31 August 2011	DF	Massimo Oddo	Lecce	30 June 2012[128]
19 January 2012	DF	Taye Taiwo	Queens Park Rangers	30 June 2012