01/10/2002

IN MUNCHEN ANOTHER BRACE FROM INZAGHI

MUNICH - Milan's European campaign is proceeding in the best way: the Rossoneri went through also the stern test against Bayern Munich at the Olympiastadion to get their third successive Group G victory. Pippo Inzaghi left once again his mark on the Rossonero 2-1 success scoring a brace.
For the sixth time in a row Carlo Ancelotti fielded the same back line before Dida, playing the turn-over only in the midfield, with Rui Costa and Pirlo sitting back in their usual positions, after being half-used against Lazio. The side is unchanged from last week's win at La Coruna, with Rivaldo partnering Inzaghi.
Bayern controlled the match early on, but Milan resist to their pressure and try to counterattack. As when Rivaldo, after seven minutes, got past Linke on the left side of the Bayern box and cut the ball back for Inzaghi, before Jens Jeremies prevented it reaching the prolific striker. However, Hitzfeld's side looked better than in the previous Champions League matchdays, with Jeremies playing a sort of Pirlo and Ballack fielded in Rui Costa's position. The German playmaker, though not on his top form, posed at times serious problems to Dida, as when he had to save with his fingertips from a powerful strike from the edge of the area. Also Ze Roberto tried his luck but his low strike was narrowly wide. The Brazilian keeper risked something when he didn't hold a Hargreaves long-range shot and Elber, who was flagged offside, then missed the best chance of the first half putting the ball wide from six metres.
Kahn had not such a hard work, although the German defence struggled to stop the Rossonero routes to goal, with Rui Costa, Rivaldo and Inzaghi often threatening. And it was once again Superpippo to break the deadlock and score Milan opener 6 minutes after the break: Clarence Seedorf put the ball low across the face of goal to allow Inzaghi to score his sixth goal of the Champions League campaign so far.
But Bayern reaction was immediate: Milan lead lasted just two minutes, as Claudio Pizarro headed home a Hasan Salihamidzic cross from the right. The game began being played at a frantic pace with chances at both ends. Dida pushed a Ballack's low strike for a corner at full stretch, while, on the other side, Kahn had to save from Inzaghi who at the end managed to nod home a cross from substitute Serginho.
It was the killer blow which sealed Milan win and allowed Inzaghi to reach the 42th mark in the European competitions. There was time for another fine save from Dida who palmed Ballack's well struck free-kick away before Dallas' final whistle. On October 23, it will be Bayern's turn to come to the San Siro. They are on the brink of going out of the competition, while Milan are close to go through.

BAYERN 1-2 MILAN (0-0)
Scorers: 6’ and 39’ sh Inzaghi, 9’ sh Pizarro
BAYERN (4-4-2): Kahn; Hargreaves, R. Kovac, Linke, Tarnat (42’ sh Zickler); Salihamidzic, Jeremies, Ballack, Ze Roberto; Elber, Pizarro. Coach: Hitzfeld
Subs not used: Wessels, Sagnol, Kuffour, Thiam, Fink, Feulner.
MILAN (4-1-2-1-2): Dida; Simic, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Pirlo (32’ sh Serginho); Gattuso, Seedorf; Rui Costa (42’ sh Laursen); Rivaldo (21’ sh Ambrosini), Inzaghi. Coach: Ancelotti
Subs not used: Abbiati, Costacurta, Dalla Bona, Tomasson
Referee: Dallas (Scotland)
Booked: Ballack (B), Linke (B), Nesta (M)

[ACMilan.com]