Ronaldinho goal wins Milan derby

September 29, 2008

Brazilian star Ronaldinho grabbed the headlines on his first appearance in a Milan derby, scoring the only goal as AC edged out Scudetto holders Inter to continue their recent revival.

The 1-0 victory moves Milan just one point behind Jose Mourinho’s Inter in the Serie A table.

Milan started with a three prong Brailian attack of Ronaldinho, Kaka and Pato, with Ukrainian forward Andrei Shevchenko left on the bench.

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s lack of control lasted an early chance for Inter, before Ronaldinho opened the scoring after 35 mins when he headed home a floated Kaka cross.

The Brazilian trio continued to impress for Milan and chances came and went for both sides, not least a first-half penalty appeal from Kaka and, in the second half, a fierce drive from Ibrahimovic that flew just wide of Abbiati’s post.

Inter finished with ten men when Nicolas Burdisso was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Kaka before Macro Materazzi, who had already been substituted, was bizarrely sent off in a touch line bust up.

In the final moments, Shevchenko, on in place of Ronaldinho, had two chances – one steered horribly wide and the other stinging Julio Cesar’s fingertips – but he was unable to double their advantage.

After the game, Mourinho said that he believed his team deserved a draw and admitted he was unhappy about Burdisso’s red card.

“Milan scored a goal and we didn’t – that is the story of this match. They had a few shots on goal and despite playing a man down; we had some great chances,” he said.

“I saw two teams tonight and neither one deserved a win more than the other. I will not talk about the goal or the red card as I don’t want to get suspended.”

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