This just in: Real Madrid to offer £250 Million for Pato after his performance at the Bernabeu.

The title on the front page of ESPN Soccernet: Milan Stun Madrid. Sadly, this is how far we've fallen off the radar in recent times, when a Milan victory against an elite team is seen as stunning.

My mind is still clouded with the emotional rollercoaster I just had to endure mentally for the past few hours, but I will attempt to write a cohesive article nonetheless. For those of you who didn't watch the game, or somehow ventured on my page without reading Soccernet first: Madrid succumbed to an inspired Milan side 3-2, despite Nelson Dida's best efforts to sabotage the result...

Where to start: Dida must dip his gloves in soap before the start of each game, because there is no other explanation for his atrocious miscue. Not only was that one of the worst goalkeeping errors I have ever witnessed in my entire young adult life, but it came in the most important game. How does someone have a concentration lapse of that magnitude? I never thought I'd say this but we sorely miss Storari and his long mane of hair between the pipes.

The game was eerily similar to the Roma encounter from this past weekend. It was basically a tale of two halves. The first half of each game showed a sluggish and uninspired Milan. In the second half an entirely different team would grace the pitch, a squad that has finally veered from its mediocre ways of the past few months and is showcasing the performances we've been accustomed to seeing all along from the Rossoneri.

This game could have easily finished 4-2. A Thiago Silva header was inexplicably disallowed, a Didaster happened, and the Galacticos spearheading the attack failed to make an impression. In my previous columns, people questioned my sanity when I commented that Milan actually HAD a fighting chance against Real Madrid. What most have failed to take into consideration is that this is one of the most experienced teams in Europe. Pirlo, Nesta, Ronaldinho, Ambrosini, Zambrotta, Seedorf, Inzaghi and even the much maligned Oddo and Dida - all have vast Champions League experience. They've been in these situations before, and like true champions they give their best when the game counts the most. A few of our starting players today not only have won the Champions League, but also the World Cup. Having youth on the team is also vital, but as the immortal Marcello Lippi once said, "experience wins cups."

The Goals

19' (1-0) : The Didastrophe gifts Raul a wide open shot in front of goal.

62' (1-1) : Andrea Pirlo surprises Casillas with a perfectly placed shot right into the bottom corner from about 30 meters out.
Note: Sheer ecstasy ensues in my living room

66' (1-2) : Casillas mistimes his run to block a cross and allows Pato to burst through the defense and put Milan back on top.
Note: At this point I'm almost certain to have suffered a near fatal heart attack.

76' (2-2) : Drenthe equalizes from right outside the box.
Note: Typical. Considering how we've performed this year, there's absolutely no way we're crawling out of this mess now.

85' (2-?) : THIAGO SILVA'S SCORES WITH A VICIOUS HEADER!
Note: Whistles blown. Imaginary foul given, even the commentators who were fiercely supporting Real Madrid throughout the match questioned the referees decision.

Second Note: If things couldn't get any crazier, Ronaldinho slaps Raul, which triggers a pushing war and even the stoic Nesta shows an emotional side of his that has been in hibernation since 2006.

88' (2-3) : Seedorf places a perfect cross to Pato who volleys it into the top corner of the net. Spectacular finish by our young Brazilian superstar.

The Milan that is entrenched in a relegation battle in the Serie A has seemingly begun to turn the corner. I will be the first to admit that I had my doubts they would even get out of the Champions League group stage. After all, the past month has seen our beloved team draw to Atalanta, Bari, and lose to Zurich at home. But after a 2-1 home win against a tricky Roma side, and now this victory for the ages, I'm a believer once again.

Random Notes

- Kaka's performance was nonexistent. His play was reminiscent of the player who often seemed uninspired on the pitch last year with Milan, and only changed the outcome of the game every so often. Unfortunately, he's had a significant drop off in talent from the form that made him a Ballon d'Or winner and Champions League hero. Also, keep in mind that the Milan players trained with Kaka for six years. Meaning they know all of his moves by heart.

Please check out my other columns as well and leave your feedback. Bookmark this page. Make it your Milan bible.

Call me Nastradamus. Here's an excerpt from my Champions League preview article Blessing in Disguise.

"Now, there seems to be a bit of panic from Rossoneri supporters after the Derby Demolition, and yes Milan have seemingly distanced themselves a bit from the true elite teams of Europe. But ask me this, are Benzema, Kaka, and Cristiano Ronaldo playing on defense as well? Madrid won 3-2 in a nail biter over the weekend against Deportivo, playing a risky 4-2-4 formation susceptible to counter attacks. Their defensive line is a lot less glamorous than the attack: Garay, Albiol, Marcelo, and Arbeloa. The casual fan just thought "who, who, who, and who?" Granted, two of their best are out: Pepe is their most accomplished defender but has earned a reputation as a bruiser, and Sergio Ramos is dangerous pushing forward but a bit of a defensive liability at the back. I am confident that Pato will be a thorn in their side throughout both matches."

Have faith.