Vincenzo IaquintaAC Milan 1 Juventus 1
This was meant to be the biggest game in Europe. And it was everything else but that. Both teams had enough injury concerns. They were forced to field teams that essentially weren't first choice. Coaches' lack of rationalization also added to the weaker strength of the teams fielded. This game was crucial for Milan, more than it was for Juve. But motivation did flow in the opposite direction. And that, is very perplexing to understand. The good news for us was that Gattuso was fit and was starting from the bench.
Ancelloti started the game with Inzaghi. And this striker had a dreadful outing against Catania last weekend. Therefore. the choice was baffling and would come to haunt the gaffer later. Ranieri chose two of his best strikers. That declared intent. With Kalac between the posts and Favalli-Maldini forming our central defense, a repeat of Turin was well and truly on the cards.
4 minutes in and unusually, Beckham picks up a yellow card for an unreasonable tackle on Marchionni. Cameronesi almost scored for his side after some amazing link-up play between Iaquinta and Marchionni. However, the Italian winger dint take his chance. Flamini, who is fast becoming a world class wingback put in some splendid tackles. Two in particular were goal saving tackles. One was of Iaquinta, the other was of Marchionni. It was all Juve for the first 20 minutes. Milan had a wonderful chance to take the lead as Chiellini made an unusual mistake in an otherwise rock solid performance, that presented Inzaghi with an opportunity to score. But the veteran so characteristically shot over. It was here that Milan started getting into the game. The game was becoming more and more of a midfield battle, but considering Poulsen and Zanetti were in the heart of the Old Lady's midfield, I was left astounded that we weren't winning the battle. Poulsen created a hole in our defense and charged in to score, but he scuffed his shot, narrowly wide of the target. Even though opportunities were being created, it was never really enough to test Buffon in goal. Juventus were quite water-tight in their midfield. Their closing down was surely commendable in the half which was preventing Milan from taking another shot on target.
Juventus were not only playing hard to breach, but were attacking fervently. They must have comprehended from the previous meeting that a central defense of a combined age of 78, should crack with a few knocks. It was Milan however with the better defined chances. Inzaghi was found unmarked from a Beckham corner but his header was wayward. A striker at this level should be scoring from where he missed. Almost instantly, in typing Calcio fashion, Juve came close to taking a lead. On the counter, Iaquinta's pile driver was spilled by Kalac, and if not for Flamini's dauntlessness, Amauri would have tapped in from close range. 57 minutes into the game, and the home side shocked the Bianconeri as Legrottagglie's poor pass was picked up by Inzaghi who cut in from the left side, passed it to Ambrosini who mishit the shot but fortunately Seedorf was there to apply the finishing touch. La Zebre hit back in vintage Juve style. 3 minutes later, they found their equalizer. Cameronesi sent in the cross to an oncoming Iaquinta, and the Italian hitman made no mistake finishing. His strength was just too much for Flamini, who was man marking him at this point of time. Milan engaged themselves in attack mode, as Ancelloti replaced Becks with Pato on the 67th minute. 75 minutes into the game, and two titans in Del Piero and Ronaldinho entered the fray. Pato was electrifying from the point of entry, and on this occasion, put in a delightful cross for Inzaghi who blasted over the goal. 83 minutes, Legrottaglie brings down Pato with a challenge from behind. The Referees' Union of Europe, who have decided against giving penalties this week, were probably watching. And so Milan were denied a penalty. To make matters worse, Favalli picked up his second yellow and was sent of for dissent. I mentioned worse, because its a matter of formality. It makes no difference to Milan if Favalli stays on the pitch or doesn't. The scoreline nor the pattern of play changed till the end of the game, leaving me along with several other fans frustrated.
I say that because this was a game, that we should have won. And won comfortably. But instead we walked away with a point, not capitalizing on Inter's draw against the Flying Donkeys earlier in the day. Inzaghi was becoming something of a hero, but after the last two games, my impression of him is very much what it should be. A retirement bound, washed up striker. I have no real complaints of anyone else. Inzaghi could/should have won this match for us. But seeing the colors that made him the striker that the world recognized, probably, probably made him the invalid that he was yesterday. This result almost obviously means the Scudetto race is over. What we can now fight for is pride, something we haven't fought for in awhile.
Video Highlights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvrjDM8Qlqc&eurl
Scorers -
AC Milan - Seedorf (57')
Juventus - Iaquinta (60')
Ancelloti started the game with Inzaghi. And this striker had a dreadful outing against Catania last weekend. Therefore. the choice was baffling and would come to haunt the gaffer later. Ranieri chose two of his best strikers. That declared intent. With Kalac between the posts and Favalli-Maldini forming our central defense, a repeat of Turin was well and truly on the cards.
4 minutes in and unusually, Beckham picks up a yellow card for an unreasonable tackle on Marchionni. Cameronesi almost scored for his side after some amazing link-up play between Iaquinta and Marchionni. However, the Italian winger dint take his chance. Flamini, who is fast becoming a world class wingback put in some splendid tackles. Two in particular were goal saving tackles. One was of Iaquinta, the other was of Marchionni. It was all Juve for the first 20 minutes. Milan had a wonderful chance to take the lead as Chiellini made an unusual mistake in an otherwise rock solid performance, that presented Inzaghi with an opportunity to score. But the veteran so characteristically shot over. It was here that Milan started getting into the game. The game was becoming more and more of a midfield battle, but considering Poulsen and Zanetti were in the heart of the Old Lady's midfield, I was left astounded that we weren't winning the battle. Poulsen created a hole in our defense and charged in to score, but he scuffed his shot, narrowly wide of the target. Even though opportunities were being created, it was never really enough to test Buffon in goal. Juventus were quite water-tight in their midfield. Their closing down was surely commendable in the half which was preventing Milan from taking another shot on target.
Juventus were not only playing hard to breach, but were attacking fervently. They must have comprehended from the previous meeting that a central defense of a combined age of 78, should crack with a few knocks. It was Milan however with the better defined chances. Inzaghi was found unmarked from a Beckham corner but his header was wayward. A striker at this level should be scoring from where he missed. Almost instantly, in typing Calcio fashion, Juve came close to taking a lead. On the counter, Iaquinta's pile driver was spilled by Kalac, and if not for Flamini's dauntlessness, Amauri would have tapped in from close range. 57 minutes into the game, and the home side shocked the Bianconeri as Legrottagglie's poor pass was picked up by Inzaghi who cut in from the left side, passed it to Ambrosini who mishit the shot but fortunately Seedorf was there to apply the finishing touch. La Zebre hit back in vintage Juve style. 3 minutes later, they found their equalizer. Cameronesi sent in the cross to an oncoming Iaquinta, and the Italian hitman made no mistake finishing. His strength was just too much for Flamini, who was man marking him at this point of time. Milan engaged themselves in attack mode, as Ancelloti replaced Becks with Pato on the 67th minute. 75 minutes into the game, and two titans in Del Piero and Ronaldinho entered the fray. Pato was electrifying from the point of entry, and on this occasion, put in a delightful cross for Inzaghi who blasted over the goal. 83 minutes, Legrottaglie brings down Pato with a challenge from behind. The Referees' Union of Europe, who have decided against giving penalties this week, were probably watching. And so Milan were denied a penalty. To make matters worse, Favalli picked up his second yellow and was sent of for dissent. I mentioned worse, because its a matter of formality. It makes no difference to Milan if Favalli stays on the pitch or doesn't. The scoreline nor the pattern of play changed till the end of the game, leaving me along with several other fans frustrated.
I say that because this was a game, that we should have won. And won comfortably. But instead we walked away with a point, not capitalizing on Inter's draw against the Flying Donkeys earlier in the day. Inzaghi was becoming something of a hero, but after the last two games, my impression of him is very much what it should be. A retirement bound, washed up striker. I have no real complaints of anyone else. Inzaghi could/should have won this match for us. But seeing the colors that made him the striker that the world recognized, probably, probably made him the invalid that he was yesterday. This result almost obviously means the Scudetto race is over. What we can now fight for is pride, something we haven't fought for in awhile.
Video Highlights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvrjDM8Qlqc&eurl
Scorers -
AC Milan - Seedorf (57')
Juventus - Iaquinta (60')
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