Ronaldo takes flight with AC Milan

Ronaldo may not have UEFA Champions League football to look forward to this week but the Brazil striker will be a contented man today after getting his AC Milan career off to a flier.

Madrid move
Ronaldo joined AC Milan for €7.5m from Real Madrid last month, with some believing the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year to be past his best. While the move meant he would no longer be eligible for this season's edition of Europe's élite club competition, he was eager for the challenge of helping Milan break into the Serie A top four before the end of the campaign.

Timely interventions
After a substitute appearance in last week's 2-1 win at AS Livorno Calcio, Ronaldo had a hand in three of his new club's goals at AC Siena. First his header made it 1-0, but Siena quickly equalised. His pass then set up Ricardo Oliveira to restore the Rossoneri's lead before another leveller from the home side. Ronaldo then tapped in to make it 3-2 before a third Siena goal looked like ensuring a draw, only for Massimo Ambrosini to edge an enthralling game 4-3 at the death.

Fantastic day'
Ronaldo, who has taken the Number 99 shirt at Milan, could be forgiven for not playing a part in the decisive goal as his exertions had left him severely hampered by cramp. "I gave everything I had," he said. "I was cramping up all over the place, but I managed to finish the game. I missed a good chance to score in the first half. In general I don't make those kinds of mistakes, but I'm really happy for the win. It was a fantastic day, but we can't afford to concede so many."