Milan
beat Torino 3-0 but the match was never even finished.
After taking the comanding lead at half time, Torino fans
lost their temper and the match had to abandoned just
after 15 minutes play in the second half.
Inzaghi
opened the scoring just after 2 minutes when Serginho
and Maldini were the providers and prepared the ball for
Inzaghi who just had to slot it home. Seedorf that produced
a great free kick which beat Manninger for a two goal
cushion. In the dying seconds of the half Redondo and
seedorf switched on some magice when they entered the
area. Seedorf dribbled beautifully past two defenders
before beating Manninger for a second time.
Milan
recovered from a two goal deficit at half time to not
only deservedly draw the match, but the rossoneri amply
should have won !!! Ancelotti fielded Dida in goal. Simic
and Kaladze on the flanks with Costacurta and Nesta in
the centre. In midfield Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Pirlo
and Rivaldo with Shevchenko as the main striker.
Milan
and Lazio were both agressive from the word go. Lazio
took the lead early when a Corradi cross was deflected
into Lopez's path. Dida made a good save but the ball
fell to Stankovic who scored easily. Collina was then
the protagonist when only he saw Nesta push away Corradi.
Lopez scored from the penalty kick to put Lazio 2-0 ahead.
Milan were clearly under shock and Gattuso nearly lost
his nerves in a clash with Cesar. Milan had their chances
but just could not score.
The
second half was a totally different story. Milan did not
want to lose, plain and simple. Rivaldo found Inzaghi
who pulled one back after 63 minutes. Inzaghi turned provider
when he ran all the left flank and crossed to the unmarked
Rivaldo who cooly scored from two metres. Then came numerous
shots and chances from Rivaldo and Shevchenko but the
ball just did not want to enter for the merited winner.
A stunning second half display by the rossoneri.
9/2/2003
Ancelotti till 2005
Milan and Ancelotti
have renewed their contracts. Carlo Ancelotti will be
Milan's manager till at least June 2005. The deal will
see Ancelotti's pay reduced but his contract prolonged
within a new Milan salary structure. Ancelotti will be
eligible for bonuses if Milan win trophies.
Yellow
cards: Ungari (Mo), Gattuso (Mi), Milanetto (Mo), Cevoli
(Mo)
Dida started as usually behind the regular
backline of Simic, Nesta, Maldini and Kaladze. In the
midfield Ancelotti fielded Gattuso and Seedorf together
with Redondo who made his Serie A debut as a starter.
Rui Costa was fielded as a trequartista behind Sheva and
Inzaghi.
Colucci had the first chance of the match
for Modena. A shot from the right forced Dida to a save
which led to a corner, which resulted in nothing. Milan
through Shevchenko got the next chance, but the Ukrainian's
freekick was easily saved by Ballotta.
Milan seemed uninspired at this point
of the game and Modena got a slight grip of the game,
but they didn't manage to create anything out of it. Instead
Milan got the next chance. 20 minutes is played when Rui
finds Gattuso in the area, a good cross from Rino goes
to Kaladze who's header is too weak to trouble Ballotta.
Kaladze continued to create chances. A few moments later
Seedorf finds him in the area but also this time Ballotta
stands in the way when Kakha fired a left foot shot.
Milan now had the momentum and were continuously
on the attack. After about 30 minutes a shot from distance
from Seedorf is saved again by Ballotta, even though he
had some problems to get grip of the ball. Only a minute
later Rui fires a freekick just over the bar. Nothing
more happened in the first half and ref Trefoloni ends
the half with the score 0-0.
No substitutes at halftime, but 16 minutes
into the second half Simic goes out and Rivaldo enters.
This means a three-man backline for Milan and after 62
minutes this is rewarded. One would have thought at least.
Inzaghi scores but the assistant ref judges him correctly
to be offside. Ancelotti makes another move and Sheva
goes out and Tomasson comes in. The clock has passed 70
minutes when Kaladze storms into the area and Ponzo misjudges
his tackle and brings Kaladze down and the ref has no
other option than point to the spot.
Ancelotti makes a quick move and brings
in Pirlo, Mr 100% from the penalty spot, and Redondo goes
out. The penalty is well taken and Ballotta is nowhere
near to catch the ball, 1-0 Milan.
A couple of minutes later Rivaldo manages
somehow to cross although not being in balance. Pippo
is there as usual in the area to nod home the second goal
of the afternoon. Beautiful cross and a very nice header
to follow. Milan controls the game from now on, but Modena
are still allowed to score a goal. Scoponi scored with
a well taken shot after a good cross.
Modena got one last chance but Milanetto's
shot was easily saved by Dida.
"This matchrapport is written by
Anton Melin, translated by Marko Uusitalo and used in
courtesy with Milan Club Svezia"
31/1/2003
Champions League list...
Milan
have issued the list of players eligible to continue to
play in the Champions League. The list is made up of:
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