Roma 2 Milan 2

Roma 2 Milan 2

Yes i have changed my layout a bit. Hope its not too much of a problem. I dint want people coming to my post and leaving after being drawn by a fancy name. So my match reports would be quite plain and simply headed from now on, ah yes the font as well. Change is good. Eh?

This was going to be a big game. Especially in the interest of the league. If Milan lost this game, it would have possibly blown their chances of winning the Scudetto this season. Inter have a 9 point difference over their cousins with 20 games to go. People generally forget all about the 20 and only look at the 9. I dont.

This night, Stadio Olympico hosted some of the best players in the world. With Totti sitting in the stands, a lot depended on Vucinic to spearhead the attack. And the former Lecce man dint disappoint the Romans. Beckam was going to make his league debut for Milan after a lacklustre performance against HSV.

The visitors started brightly. Marco Casseti then fouled Pato from 25 yards out. Ronaldinho took the free kick, but disappointingly hit the wall. Gianluca Zambrotta provided for some astonishing defending as Daniel De Rossi's chip fell to Mexes. Vucinic was later played on by De Rossi, and was able to put the ball past Abbiati after some catastrophic defending from the Rossoneri. Fortunately the goal was flagged offside. Vucinic got on the end of a cross from Riise, and after pushing the ball past Jankulovski, like the Czech was a 6 year old, the Montenegran finished past Abbiati with considerable ease. Roma had taken the lead halfway into the first half. On the 30th minute Kaka had a chance after Beckam had done the initial work, but the Brazilian's effort was weak. For the rest of the half Milan were dictating possession and play, with Beckam and Pirlo getting their feet into the game. But the Roman defense stood sturdy, Juan and Mexes displaying some outstanding understanding.

Second half started on the same note. Not long after the referee restarted play, Kaka got past Casseti and the master's killer pass found the boot of Pato in front of an empty net. 1-1. This came as a stimulus as the visitors pressed in search of another one to take a crucial lead. Ronaldinho was having an awful night, and all his attempts were going horribly wrong. Pato made it 2 for himself and for his club, as he sprinted past Mexes after leaving a cloud of smoke for 20 metres behind. The Frenchman was left biting the Brazilian's dust, as Pato chipped past Doni. This is what people would call a world class goal. The Romans were quite obviously stumped and for the next 10 minutes experienced total domination from the visiting side as they pressed ahead in search of a third. Pizzaro replaced Taddei but this substitution dint seem to influence the game positively for the Romans. After 72 minutes, some usual chaotic defending in the Milan box resulted in ball dropping for an 'unmarked' Vucinic and he headed past a motionless Abbiati. 2-2. Soon after Kaka was denied by Doni. Alberto Aquillani replaced Brighi and almost won it for the Giallorossi after hitting a curling shot towards goal, that just inched wide. In injury time, both Vucinic and Seedorf had chances but neither made the most of it, with the game ending in a draw.

Beckam was our best midfielder. His league debut was certainly promising. Seedorf's performances have been crying out loud that he is past it. Maldini and Favalli were not exploited as they should have been. Ronaldinho was poor. But the hero was Pato. What a performance that made the world stand up and take notice. More of the same and he will be in contention for the Ballon D'or soon. He will need to replicate this performance if Milan need to overthrow Viola at home this weekend. Gilardino is prowling, beware Milan.

Video Highlights - http://videos.sapo.pt/ruIYgp92esVdFqq2jRzU

Goalscorers -
Roma - Vucinic (22', 72')
Milan - Pato (48', 53')