A
tired Milan just three days after winning the Champions
league managed to obtain the Coppa Italia. The trophy
was missing from Berlusconi's collection since the last
time milan had won the cup was way back in 1977. Ancelotti
fielded a good side but had to do without Shevchenko,
Costacurta, Nesta, Pirlo and various other players.
Having
the advantage of a 4-1 lead from the Olympic stadium match
Milan tried their best to control the match and suffered
only two incredible goals direct from Totti free kicks
which Abbiati could do absolutely nothing about.
The
turning point of the match was when cassano lost his temper
and offended referee Rosetti who was forced to show him
the red card. After Totti's first suffered the two nil
but immediately scored from a Rivaldo header after a perfect
move, from Serginho on the left. When Roma were reduced
to nine man Inzaghi pounced on the winner from a superb
Rivaldo assist to equalise and send the capacity 80,000+
crowd into a delirium.
PIACENZA
(4-4-2): Guardalben; Gurenko, Cristante, Campagnaro, Tosto;
Marchionni (1' st Ferrarese), Di Francesco, Maresca, Baiocco
(38' st Riccio); Patrascu (17' st Babatunde), Hubner.
Manager:
Cagni
Subs:
Orlandoni, Premoli, De Cesare, Zerbini
MILAN
(4-4-2): Fiori; Helveg, Laursen, Stefani (1' st Dal Bello),
Aubameyang (16' st Pastrello); Ba, Redondo, Dalla Bona,
Brocchi; Matri (26' st Bortolotto), Piccolo.
Manager:
Ancelotti
Subs:
Brunelli, Dos Santos, Giordano, Nava
Referee:
Rizzoli
Yellow
cards: Cristante
In view of
the important Champions league final clash against Juventus
next Wednesday and the total lack of importance in the
last uninfluential league match against Piacenza, Carlo
Ancelotti decided to give an upcoming number of youngsters
a taste of the serie A. The manager only fielded Fiori,
Helveg, Laursen, Ba, Redondo, Dalla Bona and Brocchi from
the usual pick.
Milan's
second team, or so it seemed, dominated the second half
to send Roma reeling and trailing 4-1 in the first leg
of the Coppa Italia final. It now seems that Milan will
win the Cup which has been missing from Milan's trophy
room since 1973. Berlusconi will be pleased since it is
one of the trophies he has never managed to grab hold
of.
Ancleotti
fielded his quasi-customary Coppa Italia line up and in
the meantime resting players like Maldini, Nesta, Gattuso,
Seedorf, Inzaghi and Shevchenko. Reading the line up and
watching Roma play the first half was heart shattering
for any Milan fan, but I guess the Champions league final
comes first. Or so we thought. One cannot say what happened
in the dressing room, unless he was there, after Milan
were dominated by Roma and Totti scored a scorcher of
a free kick. All we know is that Milan were a different
side in the second half. Determined, full of energy and
playing like it was the last match the team came back.
Serginho equalised from a penalty after the ball was handled
in the area. Then Ambrosini headed Milan ahead, ball also
deflected by Zebina. then two super swift counter attacks
from Serginho who shot over Pellizoli and a brilliant
Shevchenko goal, who had just come in to replace Tomasson
(injured) gave Milan a stupendous 4-1 away win.
We
now look forward to the second leg on the 31st May to
seal off the trophy !!!
MILAN:
Abbiati; Costacurta (16' st Helveg), Nesta, Roque Junior,
Kaladze; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Rui Costa (1' st Rivaldo);
Shevchenko (33' st Redondo), Inzaghi.
Subs:
Fiori, Tomasson, Laursen, Brocchi
Manager.:
Ancelotti
BOLOGNA: Pagliuca; Zaccardo, Paramatti (33' st Terzi),
Castellini, Vanoli; Frara (9' st Bellucci), Amoroso, Colucci,
Meghni; Signori; Cipriani (9' st Della Rocca).
Subs:
Coppola, Olive, Smit, Locatelli
Manager:
Guidolin
Referee: Trefoloni
Yellow cards: Helveg (M)
Milan
were in commanding form against a Bologna with nothing
to play form. It took Milan only 17 minutes to take the
lead after Seedorf was fouled in the area after he stormed
into it. Pirlo did not fail from the spot. Milan took
possession of the ball as is now customary and controlled
the preceedings. On the 51st minute Seedorf put Milan
2-0 up with a right footed scorcher from outside the area.
Milan were now in total control and Inzaghi added a third
when Seedorf found him with a perfect pass and he cooly
lobbed over Pagliuca. Megnhi of Bologna got one back only
after tow minutes with a left footed drive that beat Abbiati.
Milan
had the opportunity to score number four. Inzaghi was
fouled in the area. Pippo took the kick himself but saw
Pagliuca save easily. Helveg was later shown the yellow
card.
Milan
are now guaranteed a place in the next Champions league.
10/5/2003
Milan lose again to small club.
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83'
Appiah (B)
BRESCIA
(5-3-1-1): Sereni; Martinez, Dainelli, Petruzzi, Bilica,
Seric; Filippini, Guardiola, Appiah; Baggio; Toni (1'
st Tare).
Subs:
Micillo, Mareco, Schopp, Pisano, Jadid
Manager:
Mazzone
MILAN (4-3-2-1): Dida; Simic, Laursen, Roque Jr, Kaladze
(1' st Maldini); Brocchi, Ambrosini, Redondo (22' st Pirlo),
Serginho (22' st Shevchenko); Tomasson, Rivaldo.
In
a slow drab match Milan showed that their mind is only
ficused on Tuesday's clash against Inter. Hardly any chances
were available for both teams who seemed happy with a
draw until towards the end Appiah, in a personal move,
scored the winer for Brescia.
Ancelotti rested most of the first team players in this
match, still managing to field a decent team.
03/5/2003
Milan close in on second spot
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11'
Inzaghi (pen); 60' Nesta.
Milan (4-3-1-2):
Dida, Simic, Roque Junior, Nesta, Maldini (33' st Kaladze),
Gattuso, Ambrosini (16' st Seedorf), Brocchi, Rivaldo,
Shevchenko, Inzaghi (25' st Tomasson). (1 Fiori, 24 Laursen,
5 Redondo, 10 Rui Costa).
Manager: Ancelotti.
Como (3-5-2):
Brunner, Tomas, Stellini, Juarez, Cigardi, Cauet (33'
st Belingheri), Corrent, Allegretti (6' st Pecchia), Music,
Amoruso, Anaclerio (6' st Greco). (1 Ferron, 2 Gregori,
23 Binotto, 99 Caccia).
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