Emanuelson hails Abbiati

Urby Emanuelson has praised Christian Abbiati in the wake of AC Milan’s hard-fought 3-2 Champions League Group C win over Zenit St Petersburg.

The experienced goalkeeper pulled off a number of superb saves on Wednesday to help Milan to the full three points, and the former Ajax man said his 35-year-old team-mate was extraordinary.

“Abbiati was amazing – I don’t know what he has been eating. He was our captain today, and the way he played – all I can do is applaud him,” the Dutchman said.

“Today was really important as we drew our first game with Anderlecht: we could not afford to lose here. We are really happy with the victory. We worked as a team and it was a great result.

“We started well but after we had gone 2-0 up, Zenit got stronger and stronger. Their scoring right at the end of the first half was bad for us, but it was good we won in the end.”

Milan resume Serie A action on Sunday against arch-rivals Inter.