Scorelines can sometimes be very deceptive. Holders AC Milan beat Benfica 2-1 on Tuesday in their opening Champions League Group D clash but in truth they should have netted five at least.

Andrea Pirlo, majestic all game, curled in a trademark free kick early on and then Filippo Inzaghi grabbed his 43rd Champions League goal and 60th in European club football. The 34-year-old is now just two behind Gerd Mueller’s record of 62, which he would have shattered against the Portuguese but for some good keeping from Quim and two wayward finishes.

Benfica were not shocking, even if their pink away shirts were, but even former Milan midfielder Rui Costa had no way of stopping Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who have drawn their last two Serie A games 1-1 but save their best form for Europe.

Milan’s side was the same which beat Liverpool in last May’s final except for injured captain Paolo Maldini. Brazilian Kaka also showed with two amazing bursts down the touchline that his decision to rest and skip July’s Copa America has helped him add some extra pace to go with his tricks.

On this evidence it would take a brave man to bet against Milan defending their Champions League title, especially after Chelsea limped to a 1-1 home draw with Rosenborg and Liverpool were held at Porto.

“It is lamentable how poor Liverpool were last night,” was the view of Red Cauldron. Of the Londoners, Chelseablog said: “A dominating performance with no end product – story of our season so far.”

Elsewhere, Real Madrid beat Werder Bremen 2-1 but when it comes to the business end of the season their failure to tempt Kaka to the Bernabeu this summer may prove more costly than the 80 million euros they offered.
 
Mark Meadows, Milan