By Akyereko Frimpong Manson
Follow Akyereko on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial
Suspended Ghana international midfielder Sulley Muntari was handed the AC Milan captains armband during their 3-1 defeat against rivals Juventus in Italy's Derby della Madonnina on Saturday night.
It was the first time Muntari was captaining Milan in a competitive game though he had skippered the Milan giants in their pre-season friendly against Manchester City last July in the USA.
The 30-year-old was named captain on the night when Milan were facing their former manager and needed victory at the Juventus Arena.
But things did not go as cherished as Juventus romped to an emphatic triumph over the Rossoneris.
Despite their inconsistent form, the Rossoneri certainly have the potential to match Juventus and the league leaders made sure to put them in their place early on through a goal from Carlos Tevez.
While Muntari was captaining the Rossoneris, his compatriot Michael Essien was also in full time action for Milan. In one particular midfield encounter, France star Paul Pogba made mockery of Essien by dribbling him through the legs.
The decision by Milan manager Filippo Inzaghi to hand the captaincy to Muntari came as a small surprise to many as the midfielder had gotten involved in a dug-out brawl over his substitution.