体坛英语新闻：Pato scores as Milan draw 1-1 with Malaga

MILAN, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Alexandre Pato scored his first goal in eleven months to give AC Milan a 1-1 draw with Malaga at home in a Champions League group game on Tuesday.

Eliseu's goal put Malaga ahead in the first half, and Pato capitalised on fine work from Kevin Constant to register his first Milan goal since December last year and spoil Malaga's clean sheet in the competition.

Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri was impressed by Pato's progress.

"Pato was growing as time went on and this goal will help him to find confidence, as will the fact he played for 90 minutes with good intensity," he said.

Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini celebrated qualification for the Champions League group phase.

"It was important to achieve qualification tonight and especially in such a world famous stadium against a great team," he said.

"We spoke with the players and decided it was best to score the goal in the first half, then after the break we controlled well until Pato' s goal. We knew just what quality he has and what he can do.

"Milan were able to control the tempo of the game, but they did not create that many opportunities," he said.

Milan suffered an early setback as Ignazio Abate pulled up injured after just six minutes, young full-back Mattia De Sciglio came on to replace him.

The Rossoneri would pay dearly for a rare moment of ill-discipline, with Isco ensuring the Spanish side made the most of it.

The 20-year-old midfielder weaved through the Rossoneri backline to supply a perfectly-weighted ball for Eliseu, the Portuguese swerving Constant's challenge to beat Abbiati with his right foot.

In the 73rd minute, Pato wriggled free in the box to meet Constant's left-wing cross and head home his first goal of the season. Boateng lacked the precision to put Milan ahead moments later, but still the hosts poured forward, and it needed a firm block from Demichelis to deny Montolivo the killer blow.