16/02/2003

INZAGHI INSPIRES MILAN FIGHTBACK

MILAN - Milan are alive, as they confirmed through a superb second-half fightback in the late match against Lazio which was even close to be a surpass. After trailing 2-0 in the first half, the Rossoneri emerged from the dressing-rooms with a new attitude. Inspired by substitute Filippo Inzaghi they turned the match in their favour, holding Roberto Mancini's side to a 2-2 draw. Despite mounting pressure in the closing stages, they couldn't find the winner which would have moved them up to the top of the Serie A albeit level with Inter and Juventus. However, they showed to be still running for the Scudetto with their two points adrift. It was the second seasonal draw for Milan after the one against Brescia, while Lazio end their negative run after collecting five defeats.
Carlo Ancelotti, who had just extended his contract with Milan, played his usual 4-4-2 with Shevchenko as lone striker and the pair Seedorf-Rivaldo to support him. Pirlo was partnered by fighting midfielder Gattuso and Ambrosini in midfield, while Inzaghi and Rui Costa were dropped to the bench in view of the Champions League game against Lokomotiv Moskva.
Lazio had a better start and could have gone ahead in just the fifth minute when Bernardo Corradi broke down the right flank and found Claudio Lopez unmarked at the back post but the Argentine blasted high and wide from an excellent position. Milan reacted promptly with Shevchenko who headed just wide over the bar a perfect cross from Gattuso. However, Mancini's side were livelier and deserved their 21st-minute lead, when Milan keeper Dida blocked a shot from Lopez but Dejan Stankovic was ready to slot home the rebound.
Nine minutes later the guests were 2-0 up, after referee Pierluigi Collina awarded a penalty for an alleged slight push by Nesta on Corradi: Lopez didn't fail from the spot. Milan were desperate to come back, but Lazio kept on defeding very well and nothing major happened until the double whistle.
At the restart, Ancelotti sent in Kaladze and Gattuso for Laursen and Inzaghi and their pace was speeded up. The comeback began in the 62nd minute when Superpippo was set up by Rivaldo in the box and beat Peruzzi with a low shot. Lazio's immediate response was a powerful Stankovic shot from long range into the bar. The Rossoneri refused to give up however and threw everything forward. Inzaghi was the provider for the equaliser: he broke down the left before crossing for Rivaldo who made no mistake from close range. It was not not the last chance Milan carved out before the final whistle, but in the end they had to settle for a deserved point.

MILAN 2-2 LAZIO (0-2)
Scorers: 21' Stankovic, 30' Lopez, 57' Inzaghi, 70' Rivaldo
MILAN (4-4-1-1): Dida; Simic (69' Brocchi), Nesta, Costacurta, Kaladze (46' Laursen); Gattuso (46' Inzaghi), Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Shevchenko, Rivaldo. Coach: Ancelotti
Subs not used: Abbiati, Redondo, Rui Costa, Tomasson
LAZIO (4-4-2): Peruzzi; Stam, Negro (74' Oddo), Mihajlovic (69' Pancaro), Favalli; Fiore, Giannichedda, Stankovic (79' Liverani), Cesar; Corradi, Lopez. Coach: Mancini
Subs not used: Marchegiani, Simeone, Lazetic, Chiesa
Referee: Collina from Viareggio
Booked: Fiore (L)
Added time: fh 3', sh 3'
Audience: 10,843 spectators with gates receipts totalling € 233,285 to be added to 50,762 pass-holders.

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