Milan loses again

More importantly, the draw averted a third loss of the campaign and compounded the woes of city rivals Milan, whose fading title hopes disappeared in Genoa. Antonio Cassano (33) and Giampaolo Pazzini (51) grabbed the goals for Sampdoria before the injury-hit Rossoneri added a consolation effort through Pato with nine minutes remaining. Adding to the pressure on Milan, fourth-placed ACF Fiorentina moved to within two points after drawing 1-1 at basement outfit Reggina Calcio, though they will lament spurning the chance to draw level...

Fortunately for the Viola, Genoa CFC failed to leapfrog them as they were also held, 0-0 at AC Siena.

Raise their heads, and fight with pride to forget Europe. That was the intention of Sampdoria and Milan who face each other on the 7th matchday of the second half of the season, three days after the bitter Uefa Cup night which saw both sides eliminated at the sixteenth finals stage by, respectively, the Ukrainians of Metalist and the Germans of Werder Bremen. Ahead of the match in Genoa coach Carlo Ancelotti talked about a delicate moment, which has to be gotten through with strength and character. As for Samp, against Milan Mazzarri looked especially for consistency in results which so far has been lacking in the league.

Still without Kaká and Ronaldinho, the Rossoneri once again count on Pirlo's geometries, Beckham's crosses, and the muscles of Flamini and Jankulovski. A numerous midfield, then, to protect the defensive line Zambrotta-Bonera-Senderos-Antonini, which had the task to block the runs of the couple Cassano-Pazzini which was absent at Kharkiv. To complete Carlo Ancelotti's formation there was the usual Alexandre Pato, who's more and more irreplaceable of the Rossoneri's 11. Behind him another stalwart, Clarence Seedorf, who went off the pitch due to an injury to his ankle during the match against Werder Bremen, completely recovered for the match at the Marassi three days later.

It rained in Genoa, but the ground at the Marassi held well. The first saw a good Samp but a Milan side still far from their best, with Pato too isolated between the shirts of the Doriani's defence. There were few interesting moves in the first half. In the 18th minute Bonera brought down Sammarco near the edge of the area: splendid free kick by Cassano, Abbiati made a perfect diving save. In the 29th minute Flamini brought himself forward, after sacrificing himself mostly to contain Cassano, fired a shot from outside the area that finished just wide. In the 33rd minute Samp took the lead: corner kick by Palombo, pass by Raggi for the unmarked Cassano who didn't miss with his header. Abbiati and team mates protested because the ball allegedly didn't cross the goal line, but replays ensure it was a correct goal. Once again on a set piece. In the 42nd minute a great ball by Pirlo for Jankulovski in the area, but Marek lost his footing and the ball went out.

In the second half Milan made one change: Inzaghi for Antonini. The Rossoneri look more convinced, but in the 6th minute Samp doubled their lead with a great goal fashioned by the couple Cassano-Pazzini. The Blucerchiati's number 99 served a great ball to Pazzini, who dribbled past Bonera, and from a difficult position beat the blameless Abbiati. In the 10th minute there was the second change for the Rossoneri: Favalli in for Jankulovski. In the 15th minute there was a chance for Milan with a left footed shot by Inzaghi which was grabbed by Castellazzi. In the 23rd minute coach Ancelotti finished his substitutions inserting Emerson for Beckham. In the 35th minute super Pato reduced the distances and scored his 12th goal in Serie A (15th of the season): cross from the left by Favalli, header by the Brazilian which Castellazzi couldn't reach. Two minutes later another substitute, Emerson, gave Milan the illusion of the equaliser as he deflected a free kick by Pirlo past the goalkeeper with a header: but the linesman had already raised his flag to signal the Puma's offside position, although he might not even have touched the ball. By then it was a whole different Milan, angry and combative, with Samp suffering from the Rossoneri's pressing. That's why Mazzarri decided to cover up by inserting the young Marilungo for Cassano. It's too late, anyway, for Carlo Ancelotti's men to produce something that, perhaps, could have been a deserved draw considering the football and character shown in the second part of the second half.

Now it's time to get straight back to work, without looking back. But the recovery of the injured players becomes the most important thing.


Source : A.C. Milan
Auteur : David Buhler