stamp of authority

Heerenveen 1 Milan 3

Holland welcomed the San Siro giants for the Uefa cup group stage game. The Diavoli had qualified after defeating Zurich convincingly in the qualification phase. The Dutch task awaited. Luck wouldn't be the answer, and considering Milan's poor form against the smaller teams, expectations were high.

The team that Ancelloti fielded was very competitive, though in my opinion looked defensive. Flamini, Gattuso and Emerson in midfield. That barely spells ambition. Maybe Bereens words psyched him, or perhaps it was the his household issues, whatever it was, wasn't very pleasing. What I did like was the employement of 2 strikers up front. Fillipo Inzaghi and Andrei Shevchenko. Two well proclaimed stars of the 'ageing galacticos'. Behind them was the red hot Kaka. The defense had Favalli in it. So we can safely assume there was no defense. Dida was between the posts, which makes the assumption even more dependable.

First half started with the Dutch team taking the game to Milan. It was a scary experience as I have just mentioned that the Italians had no defense. Somehow we dint concede. After the departure of Afonso Alves to the Riverside, Heerenveen have forgotten the concept of scoring goals. And they dint seem to remember the concept, even though they could recognize Favalli's face in the opposition defense. Milan got hold of the game and dictated tempo. Due to some catastrophic defending and some shambolic keeping, the visitors took the lead. It was Kaka's cross from wide out. A delightful ball in, but it was the home team who scored. An own goal, i.e.
Kaka was running Heerenveen ragged, and he sent in a lovely pass again from wide out to find the boot of a charging Gattuso who finished it calmly to the bottom left corner. 2-0 to the Rossoneri. It was nice to see the captain scoring. Yes, you read right. The 'Captain'. Shevchenko possibly had personal differences with the Heerenveen keeper, because all his efforts, including a splendid free kick were kept out miraculously.

Second half started slow, with both teams playing as though they were content with the result. This continued until the homeside realized they were 2-0 down and started attacking. The obvious happened. Milan found space and Gattuso's fine pass found Inzaghi, who finished it for Milan. Must put it in here that it was a lucky goal, because Pippo's finish wasn't world class and keeper got a touch that contributed to the goal. Milan weren't done. Favalli had to show his colours, and he did. Gave away a penalty, which Pranjic took cheekily.

Dida was sound between the posts, Favalli is 37 years of age. Thats exactly how old Pep Guardiola is. And Guardiola is the manager of FC Barcelona. Get the hint Favalli?? Emerson played wonderfully, and so did Gattuso. He led by example. Kaka was unstoppable, Inzaghi and Shevchenko always looked like scoring. So over all it was a decent outing, wasn't fantastic, as the goals we scored - we wouldn't have against a top class team. Emerson played the best match in his Milan career, but lets not forget who he played against.

Atalanta await Milan, Del Neri must have already started plotting. They managed a double against us last season. I hope we manage the same against them this season. Not for pride, but for the Scudetto.

(http://www.eatlime.com/play_1FFC08D2-B762-E7FD-FE19-5FAD6A588BB9)

Goalscorers -
Heerenveen - Pranjic
Milan - Jong-A-Pin (o.g), Gattuso, Inzaghi