Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored one and set up Antonio Cassano's goal as Milan beat Viktoria Plzen 2-0.
The Rossoneri welcomed back Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luca Antonini from injury, though Antonio Cassano was the only other available striker. Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Philippe Mexes and the suspended Gennaro Gattuso were out, plus Pippo Inzaghi and Stephan El Shaarawy were not on the UEFA list. Czech champions Viktoria were surprise qualifiers and only missed goalkeeper Roman Pavlik, who still wasn't back since July.
Viktoria had the first chance and a wonderful one it was too, as a Marek Bakos diving header was going to the far bottom corner before Christian Abbiati's fingertip save in the opening three minutes.
Moments later Ibra pulled back for Cassano and his first-time shot was parried by Marek Cech's legs from point-blank range.
Cassano tested the goalkeeper again from the edge of the box, while Ibrahimovic at full stretch couldn't control a Clarence Seedorf ball over the top. Petr Jiracek wasted a promising Viktoria counter-attack by firing well wide.
An Ignazio Abate cross beat Cassano, but found Ibrahimovic totally unmarked at the back post. He controlled and smashed the powerful strike that Cech somehow palmed over the bar from point-blank range.
On 52 minutes Ibra flicked up the ball to turn Cisovsky, who stuck out an arm to block. The referee pointed to the spot and Ibrahimovic sent Cech the wrong way to put Milan in front, though Max Allegri didn't see it, as he refused to watch. Cisovsky had already been booked, but was not shown a second yellow card.
It was Ibrahimovic's 24th goal in 79 Champions League games.
Some Ibrahimovic flicks sent a flying pass to Seedorf, who set up Cassano only for the Italian to fire over. At the other end Abbiati did well to palm the cross off Bakos' head and block the follow-up from Horvath.
Milan doubled their lead with a moment of Ibra magic, as his glorious first touch brought down a long ball and immediately sent Cassano through, as FantAntonio delicately chipped it over the on-rushing keeper. It was his first Champions League goal since 2004.
Cassano tried to return the favour with a volleyed pass, but David Bystron was at full stretch to intercept and stop Ibrahimovic going clear. Antonini limped off with cramp to make way for Taye Taiwo.
Alberto Aquilani attempted an audacious rabona shot from nine yards, but only succeeded in hitting a defender in the face.
Viktoria substitute Michal Duris had a great chance in the final six minutes from point-blank range, but Thiago Silva stuck a foot in to deflect it over the bar. A sliding Bystron tackle stopped Cassano getting a third with the last kick of the game./Football-Italia/
Milan: Abbiati; Abate (De Sciglio 87), Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini (Taiwo 78); Nocerino, Van Bommel, Seedorf (Aquilani 70); Emanuelson; Cassano, Ibrahimovic
Viktoria Plzen: Cech; Rajtoral, Cisovsky, Bystron, Limbersky; Pilar (Fillo 75), Jiracek, Horvath, Kolar (Darida 91), Petrzela; Bakos (Duris 67)
Ref: Meyer (Ger)
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