a lesson taught, a lesson learnt

Milan 4 Lazio 1

Lazio arrived at the San Siro with a lot of confidence. They were on top the table as they had won the first 2 games of the season. They were talking about upsetting an already upset Milan. How often do you see a team at the bottom of the table beating a team at the top of the table by the scoreline 4-1?? I don't think that happens very often.

Lazio were pasted last season by Milan, we went and scored one more at the Stadio Olympicio. The scoreline against Lazio last season was 5-1, so i am a bit disappointed that we dint replicate the scoreline this time. Just kidding!

Milan had lost to newly-promoted Bologna and a rejuvenated Genoa in the first 2 encounters of the season. And me being the realist that I am was expecting Lazio to cruise past Milan, and I am glad Milan surprised me. The game showed what Milan could do, almost all the players (except Abbiati and Kaladze) put in fine performances. Gattuso was very impressive to say the least. He was put in a position that quite simply belongs to Pirlo and was expected to perform. This was his first game after returning from injury and he dint seem to show any sign of injury. His performance cried out loud - 'who needs Flamini when i am here.' Seedorf was almost back to his sublime, creative best, Carrizo was seeing stars when Seedorf blasted the ball past him to the top corner. Carrizo was probably seeing galaxies of stars after Zambrotta's wonder goal and Kaka's superb curler from outside the box. Carrizo is a fine keeper and i have no doubts he will go places, but he sure dint go places today as he was firmly rooted to his ground as most of Milan's goals were out of his reach.

Zamrotta scored a typical wingback's goal as he bulleted the ball from 31m out, and Kaka curled the ball into the top corner from outside the box, showing signs that he is getting back to his best. He was absolutely unstoppable today. Running circles and mazes around the defense from Rome. Jankulovski also had a nice game, he delivered an absolute beauty of a ball for Pato's header. A special mention must go for Maldini who was responsible for making Kaladze look like a defender. After Zarate scored the goal for Lazio, Maldini man marked him out of the game, showing that form is temporary but class surely is permanent. Ambrosini was at his usual best. Borrielo showed what was missing at Milan last season, and that was a target man of his ability. He was really good and I hope he would become a regular at the club.

The goal we conceded was due to poor defending by Kaladze and even poorer keeping from Abbiati who let the ball past him at the near post, even though he was guarding the near post. He is certainly not a world class keeper and relying on him would be folly.

Though I am happy with this outing, i wont get thrilled and go bananas. Milan have done this in the past, they have had a string of poor results and then they 'surprise' the world with a scintillating display of attacking football. I hope these results come with consistency, and that we move up the table and contend for honors worth contending for. Nevertheless, Milan have taught the footballing world a lesson that no one should ever write this team off, and Lazio have learnt their lesson of not trying to get too big for their shoes. Got it, Delio Rossi?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcdkw6oNzuU

Goalscorers -

Milan - Seedorf, Zambrotta, Pato, Kaka

Lazio - Zarate