RODA: Kalac; Rudge, Vrede, Luypers, Sonkaya; Lachambre
(Sonko 46', Van der Luer 120'), Tchoutang (Soetaers 100'),
Van Dessel; Nygaard, Lawal, Anastasiou.
Manager: Leekens.
Referee:
Stark (Germany)
Yellow cards: Lawal, Tchoutang, Donati, Contra, Sonko,
Laursen, Kalac, Gattuso
Red cards: Vrede
Penalties:
Anastasiou goal, Brocchi goal, Lawal goal, Jose' Mari
saved, Soetaers saved, Kaladze saved, Luypers savedo,
Pirlo goal, Van der Luer over the bar, Contra goal
Milan
made it through to the next round of the UEFA cup after
a bland match which ended in a penalty shoot out. Thanks
to Abbiati's penalty saves and an over the bar penalty
taken by Van der Lauer, Milan made it. Hopefully the team
will be in better shape when we play Hapoel Tel Aviv in
the next round. The Israeli's eliminated Parma earlier
in the afternoon. The match was played before a meagre
7000 spectators, 3000 of which were Dutch !!!
Rui
Costa was still well below form, Shevchenko was rested
for the derby whilst the number of missing players is
an incredible eight. Ancelotti even had to make do with
two of Tassotti's men, Sarr and Aumabeyang.
Milan
were bad throughout most of the game. Only Gattuso and
Contra played well. Only when Milan conceded the goal
late in the game did they begin to create chances. The
best chances fell to Simone who was unlucky not to score.
Jose Mari also had a couple of good chances whilst Laursen
had his usual heading opportunities but the giant keeper
Kalac was always there somehow. The other giant Vrede
was sent off and still Milan did not manage to take advantage
of this and score. Javi Moreno had a well taken free kick
well saved, but Milan generally failed to creat opportunities
until Luypers, compeltely unmarked, managed to find the
Dutch's match winner.
the
penalty shoot out was an extrmely nail biting affair.
Anastasiou scored, Brocchi answered with another goal,
Lawal scored, but Jose' Mari's shot was saved. Abbaiti
then saved the difficult psychological moment when he
saved off Soetaers. Kaladze's kick was also saved. Abbiati
again managed to perform a miracle and saved off Luypers.
Pirlo then scored with a cooly taken free kick into the
centre of the net. Van der Luer, termed as Mr Roda, since
he has at the club forever, sent his shot over the bar.
The all important penalty kick fell to Cosmin Contra who
managed to send the keeper the wrong way.
25/2/2002
Berlusconi to stay
Galliani's
meeting with Berlusconi today went as expected. Milan's
most successful president ever will stay on as club president.
The only thing that would send him away would be the Italian
law. However, this would only mean that Berlusconi would
have to pass on the team to his son Pier Silvio.
VENEZIA
(4-4-2): Rossi; Conteh, Pavan, Viali, Bettarini; Bressan
(22’ st Valtolina), Marasco, Andersson, De Franceschi
(14’ st Vannucchi); Maniero (32’ st Di Napoli),
Magallanes. Subs: Brivio, Balleelo, Garcia, Cvitanovic.
Manager:
Magni.
MILAN (4-4-1-1): Abbiati; Contra, Roque Junior,
Costacurta, Chamot; José Mari (38’ st Ba),
Gattuso, Albertini (1’ st Javi Moreno), Kaladze;
Pirlo (19’ st Rui Costa); Shevchenko. Subs: Rossi,
Donati, Brocchi, Umit.
Milan
managed to win their first Serie A match of the year with
a good win against lowly Venezia. The score indicates
an easy Milan win, but it was not so. Venezia played well,
especially in the first half when they complicated Milan
defence to no uncertain measure.
Milan
kicked off the match looking for a win but the first chances
fell to Venezia. After only two minutes Magallanes found
de Franceschi but Costacurta pressed Maniero to clear
the danger from the cross. A minute late a Contra cross
was cleared by Viali. In the 4th minute Venezia went close.
Contra missed badly on Maniero who passed tomagallanes
but Abbiati footed to corner. Milan kept looking very
bad in defence and Abbiati had to make another good save
off Magallanes. Milan finally moved forward when Gattuso
found Jose Mari who in turn found Contra but the Rumanian's
shot just missed the post. At this point, at around the
10th minute, Ancelotti was so disgusted that he told all
his reserve bench to warm up. The team reacted to this
provocation and moved forward. Chamot tried a shot from
long range but missed. On the 12th minute mark Milan scored.
Shevchenko got hold of the ball in the area and found
Kaladze to his left who's shot left Rossi no chance at
all. Milan had managed to take the lead with one of their
first shots on goal.
Venezia
quickly reacted. A de franceschi free kick found magallanes
ready but Costacurta cleared the danger. On the 17th minute
Venezia equalised. An incredible Roque Junior error gave
Maniero the opportunity to lob Abbiati as our keeper was
rushing out to intercept him. Venezia were again in control
of midfiled. On the 19th minute Kaladze found Shevchenko
but the Ukranian failed to control the ball well in the
area. Milan nearly took the lead again when Sheva nearly
intercepted a marasco back pass. The match at this point
was messy, especially in midfield with both teams seeking
control of the area in question. Pirlo had a free kick
but nothing came out of it, but soon later he crossed
a good cross but Sheva's header went over. Pirlo, again
tried his luck from afar but again failed.
In
the 28th minute Milan again left Maniero completely unmarked
but lucking his header went over. Sheva had two quick
opportunities in succession but the first was deviated
to corner and the second saw Pavan clear. It was then
Bressan who had a good chance but his shot went out to
the left of Abbiati. In the 34th minute Abbiati again
had to intercept a cross heading for Maniero. Contra then
crossed for Jose Mari but Rossi managed to clear. Two
minuted later Jose Mari tried a long range effort but
his shot went just over. On the 41st minute Rossi made
three saves in quick succession off Jose Mari, Kaladze
and Pirlo to save Venezia. Venezia rebutted with a Maniero
effort but Abbiati saved to corner. Soon later Albertini
tried his luck with a brilliant long range shot which
just missed the post, after being touched by keeper Rossi.
Ancelotti
made a change for the second half. Javi Moreno came in
for an injured Albertini. This indictaed that Milan were
also out for a win. Milan started pressing right from
the word go. On the 5th minute a Contra cross found Pirlo
but the header went over the bar. A minute later saw bressan
have the chance of the match but completely unmarked in
front of Abbiati sent the ball over the bar. here Abbiati
performed two good saves off crosses. On the 11th minute
a Jose Mari overhead saw the Spaniard hit the bar with
Sheva going onto the rebounding but failing to score.
Contra and Pirlo kept crossing but no one was intercepting
the ball with a decent header. Ancelotti decided for another
change. Rui Costa came in for Pirlo and this was to be
a decisive move. Milan took the lead. A Contra cross saw
Moreno runtowards the ball and head to the other side
scoring a gem of a goal.
Venezia
made some changes and tried to react but Abbiati made
an easy save off a free kick. On the half hour mark a
Rui Costa magical pass found Jose Mari on the right. The
Spaniard was overlapped by Contra who waited for the ball
and cooly sloted into the net from an acute angle. Five
minuted later Milan hit number four. Again Moreno got
hold of the ball and shot immediately. the ball took a
deflection and Rossi could do nothing to stop the ball
from going into the net. The game virtually ended here
with the only mention going to a great Rossi save off
a Sheva super move who dribbled easily past his marker
and shot at goal.
A
good solid win which given Milan hope in it's quest for
a recovery to a Champions league spot.
21/2/2002
Inzaghi trains with team
Inzaghi
is again training with the rest of the squad. The player
who has been injured for months has resumed training and
even managed to play a nine-a-side game with his team
mates. His schedule now sees him as a reserve against
Roda in the UEFA Cup return leg and again on the subs
bench in the derby against Inter.
In
the meantime, Paolo Maldini is also recovering and has
been seen running at Milanello today. He is however, still
training on his own with pyhsiotherapists.
Transfer
talk
Much
is being said about Milan's future. Some as saying that
Milan are in financial difficulties. Chelsea have made
an offer for Rui Costa whilst Milan are chasing players
like Tomasson, Toni, Kuffour, Juan and Kezman.
20/2/2002
Important day
Today
at Milan, it is a very important historical day. Sixteen
(16) years ago Silvio Berlusconi acquired a major shareholding
in AC Milan. Since then, in those 16 years Milan have
won 18 national and international trophies. Not many teams
can boast of such an achievement. Thank you President
Berlusconi.
Also,
today twenty three years ago Milan's famous manager Nereo
Rocco died. A man that must be remembered and who's character
shaped Milan's style for a number of years winning numerous
trophies in the process.
Milan
did not display a scintillating football match but at
least managed a win at last. The all important goal came
from a good Pirlo - Sheva - Jose Mari move which enabled
the Spaniard to hit home an all important winner in the
first half. The match was an appalling display of refereeing
by the English referee Barber, who never managed to control
the match properly, with the Dutch side fouling excessively
throughout the match. Of course, for the Dutch, lying
fourth from bottom in the Dutch league, it was "the"
match of the season. Roda's nervousness, however, never
influenced Milan, whose players kept their calm throughout
the ninetly minutes.
Best
players on Milan's side were the hard working Gattuso,
Pirlo and Roque Junior. Most Milan players gave a valid
performance. Unfortunaltely, Laursen, went out injured
towards the end and this made Milan suffer since he was
instrumental in the air, managing to cut down the damage
on most high balls.
Milan's
started well and managed to keep the momentum till the
last few minutes. Shevchenko worked hard for the whole
ninety minutes playing for the team as did Jose Mari.
Serginho and Contra also played good on the flanks since
Ancelotti fielded Contra in the right full back role with
Jose Mari in front of him. On the left Serginho was covered
by Chamot who did some interesting overlaps, creating
problems for the Roda defence. The first chances came
from long range efforts fromJose Mari and Shevchenko,
who's shot was just tipped to corner. Later a Sheva free
kick was too central.
One
feels that Milan should have been able to add to their
scoring tally against such weak opposition but given the
difficult moment the team held well. Albertini was seen
organising the midfield with Gattuso as his hard working
server at his side. Pirlo produced some of his magic touches
which enableb the team to win the match. In fact the goal
came from a brilliant Pirlo throughpass to Shevchenko,
who just side footed the ball back to the onrushing Jose
Mari who's shot found the back of the net.
In
the second half Roda reacted and it was late in the game
that they managed to get together a few decent chances.
Pirlo also managed to hit the bar from a header in the
second half.
Final
comment. An improved Milan given the latest string of
results and performances, with the ability to create more
chances. Still, Milan left big gaping gaps at the back
and Abbiati still had to make a couple of good saves.
There is still loads of room for improvement. Statistically,
this was Milan's 99th goal in the UEFA Cup. We therefore
look forward to goal number 100 at the San Siro.
17/2/2002
Roda - Milan
Ancelotti
will take these players with him to Holland for the match
agqainst Roda. Helveg did not make it due to injury. Sarr
has been called to replace him.
Referee:
Tombolini.
Yellow cards: Foglio, Contra, Sala
A
more determined Milan still failed to bag all three points
against Atalanta. The team showed some improvement, especially
in defence and midfield but the attack still lacks any
punch. Milan's best chances of the drab match fell to
Roque Junior's headers. Shevchenko and Rui Costa, both
substituted during the match, where uninspiring although
the Portughuese player managed a couple of long range
efforts, which were however off target.
Possession
was well in favour of Milan but useless crosses from three
quarters pitch gave the Atalanta defenders an easy task.
In the end Shevchenko had only one shot on target. the
first chance fell to Atalanta. A Doni shot was saved by
Abbiati with some difficulty.It was then Albertini who
saw his long range effort saved by Pinato who punched
clear. An Umit cross saw Sheva head the ball, but out.
It was then a Rui Costa curler from outside the area that
just missed the post. This was followed by a good Sheva
move but the Ukranian's left footed shot went out.
A
Jose Mari header went out and soon later the Spaniard
tried again with the same result. Shevchenko went close
with a header but again it was not precise and another
Rui Costa long range effort saw the ball glide over the
bar.
Contra
came close with a beautiful shot which missed only with
a few inches to Pinato's left. Atalanta lurked forward
again and Abbiati had to make a difficult save off Doni.
It was then man of the match Pia who came close for Atalanta
but his shot was well saved. The last chance fell to Roque
Junior head in the very end but the Brazilian was inprecise
with his header and the ball went out.
This
was Milan's 11th draw of the season.
11/2/2002
Ambrosini undergoes operation
Max
Ambrosini has undergone an operation to his knee today
under Dr Maartens. The operation was deemed a success
and the player should return to football in four to five
weeks time. Good luck Max !!!
Milan
again failed to bag all three points at home with a mixed
display which left all fans perplexed. Ancelotti left
Helveg out, injured during the warm up in the dressing
room
Ambrosini
went close with a header but the ball just missed the
post. A few minutes later a Laursen header went out as
well to the right of Cordoba. Milan continued to press
forward commanding all the proceedings and finally from
a cross Rezai was seen to hold Ambrosini and another Perugia
player was seen also holding Shevchenko. Referee Recalbuto
probably thought that the foul on Ambrosini was the gravest
and gave the penalty. The fans shouted Sheva but Serginho
took the kick and scored. On the 30th minute mark, Milan
lost Max Ambrosini, again knee problems, and the player
had to stretchered off the pitch. The player was the best
player on the pitch till that moment. At
this point Milan stopped completely !!!
A
Bazzani header went very close inches from the post. Perugia
were now dominating the match. In the second half Perugia
equalised immediately. A Grosso cross, Baiocco headed
on to Bazzani who completely unmarked headed for the equaliser.Milan
decided to take control and a Shevchenko shot saw Cordoba
save. Perugia lost Baiocco for two yellow cards and a
Pirlo shot went close. Another Jose Mari shot went just
out and Milan were trying hard to score a winner. Pirlo
hit the crossbar from a direct freekick. On the 88th minute
mark Sogliano was sent off, again for two yellow cards
and Milan had only 7 minutes to find a winner. An Umit
shot went out and in the end a Jose Mari deflection nearly
off the line saved Perugia from a shot from a Milan player.
Milan
have again lost another opportunity to make a Champions
league spot. With Lazio, and Chievo both losing Milan
should have grabbed all three points to get closer.
9/2/2002
Moreno bound for Middlesborough
Seems
that Javi Moreno could be heading for the premiership
soon and to be more precise to Middlesborough. The Spaniard,
who never managed to really take-off at Milan, could be
leaving soon.
In
the meantime, Milan and Inter are battling it out for
Chievo's Eriberto.
Milan
produced a proud display at the Delle Alpi in Torino in
the semi final of the Coppa Italia. Ancelotti fielded
an attacking team with Pirlo, Shevchenko and Jose Mari
up front.
After
a dangerous Birindelli free kick Jose Mari had a great
chance but he failed to dribble past keeper Carini as
the player dived into his feet when in front of him. Milan
took the lead through Jose Mari who was targeted by Pirlo
to hit home with a superb header beating Carini. Milan
were already dangerous before through a Pirlo free kick.
Milan created chances but Shevchenko is still off form
and although working hard he failed to produce a much
needed goal.
Juventus
came out determined to equalise in the second half and
managed froma Zambrotta solo move. The player dribbled
past three Milan defenders to left foot into the net from
just outside the area.
Towards
the end two good chances for Javi Moreno were badly squandered.
These could have led to a much deserved extra time show
down.
6/2/2002
Viareggio - Milan eliminated
Milan were eliminated from the Viareggio tournament losing
to Lazio 4-2.
5/2/2002
Viareggio
Milan
will meet Lazio tomorrow in what is being considered to
be the anticipated final of the tournament. Both teams
have shown that they are the best two teams in the tournee
till now. Milan have won their group with relative ease
whilst Lazio also managed to win their group.
A
lucky Milan managed to get a point with a last minute
goal. Ancelotti
fielded Laursen with Costacurta and with Helveg and kaladze
to their flanks. In midfield Gattuso, Albertini were flanked
by Brocchi and Serginho. Moreno and Shevchenko played
in attack.
Milan
started well with a lot of manoevering along all the fronts
but it was Lazio who scored first and started to dictate
matters. A Laursen header went close but that was it.
Minutes later a long range shot by Stankovic in the 21st
minute found the corner of the net with Abbiati only manageing
to touch the ball. Milan were clearly shocked and found
it dificult to react. Lazio created several chances to
double the score but Abbiati somehow kept them at bay.
Peruzzi also made a couple of good saves but it looked
like a Lazio win all the time. Abbiati again had to make
a supersave off another Stankovic long range effort.
In
the second half Ancelotti tried them all but his best
moves came with Contra and Pirlo who managed to turn the
game around for some time. Added by Couto's sending off
Milan dominated the latter of the second half. Contra's
runs on the right created problems for Lazio as so did
Serginho's good display. Lazio had ample chances to win
the match. A Costacurta mistake set of three Lazio players
against two Milan defenders. Gattuso saved the day risking
an own goal with a providential tackle which was saved
by Abbiati. With regards to chances, Milan did not create
much. A Shevchenko shot on the turn was deflected to corner
late in the game but the break came after the 90th minute.
A corner found three Milan players unmarked. Kaladze headed
the ball whilst Shevchenko was also going for it. The
ball hit Shevchenko, hit Stankovic on the line and bounced
off the bar into the net. An incredible goal.
Contra
and Albertini will lose the next match at home to Perugia
next weekend since they were booked in today's game.
02/2/2002
Viareggio Results
Milan
cruised through to the next round of the Viareggio youth
tournament beating New york United to the tune of 8 goals
to 1. De Martin hammered in four goals with Marcos scoring
another two. Milan now play again on Wednesday.
Milan-New
York 8-1: (10' De Martin (M) , 28' Marcos (M) , 36' De
Martin , (M) , 44' Marcos (M) , 45' Pastrello (M) , 48'
De Martin (M) , 65' Treglia (N) , 77' Favaro (M) , 81'
De Martin (M).
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