Pato threatened by fans
Angry AC Milan fans vented their frustration at the Italian giants' 3-1 home defeat by surrounding the car of Alexandre Pato and threatening the Brazilian striker, a report said on Tuesday.
Pato recently returned to Milan's first team following an injury lay-off and scored his first goal of the season in a 1-1 Champions League draw at home to Malaga on Tuesday.
But his penalty miss in a 3-1 defeat to Fiorentina at the San Siro on Sunday was seen by some fans as a costly mistake.
According to Corriere dello Sport newspaper a group of angry Milan fans waiting for Pato to leave the stadium surrounded and banged on his car and launched verbal threats at the Brazilian.
Pato, who is in a relationship with Barbara Berlusconi, the daughter of current AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, earned the penalty on the half hour as Fiorentina led 1-0 but sent his effort from the spot over the crossbar.
La Viola went on to take a 2-0 lead and after Pato was substituted at halftime in favour of Giampaolo Pazzini the Italian reduced arrears only for Mounir El Hamdauoi to score a superb third goal for the visitors.
Victory could have propelled Milan up the Serie A table but instead the Rossoneri were left in 13th place, 17 points behind leaders Juventus.
Milan's worst start to the season in living memory comes two years after coach Massimiliano Allegri steered them to the title in his first year in charge and a runner-up place behind Juve last season.
Allegri said after the game: "I'm very disappointed because we had a chance to jump up the table into sixth place and start to put things in order.
"You can’t find yourself 2-0 down after the first half and we have to work on that. I don't know how it would have ended had Pato scored the penalty."
Allegri's own position falls under the microscope several times a week, but on Monday the embattled coach was given crucial backing by Berlusconi.
A Milan statement on Monday said: "A long meeting was held yesterday evening (Sunday) with Adriano Galliani, Milan CEO, and President Berlusconi to discuss the future of the club.
"Massimiliano Allegri joined the two later for a detailed analysis of the current technical situation. Mr Berlusconi confirmed his complete faith in the coach...
"The aim remains to climb up the table with Allegri at the helm."
