AC Milan continued their fine turn-around in form with a fifth straight win that sent them sailing through into the group stages of the UEFA Cup last night. Carlo Ancelotti’s heavily criticised team claimed a well-earned 1-0 win over FC Zurich in Switzerland, completing a 4-1 aggregate success.
Milan, who beat fierce rivals Inter at the week-end, created the first chances with former Arsenal star Mathieu Flamini fizzing a strike well over Leoni’s crossbar. Shevchenko, returned from Chelsea in the summer, got his first clear sight of goal moments later after a clever one-two with Clarence Seedorf, but was denied only by a brilliant save by the on-rushing Leoni. Confidence is beginning to flow through the Milan side at the moment and they took control of the game and began to dictate play with the impressive Ronaldinho wowing the crowd with his silky foot-work. Zurich’s desperation shone through in the early stages, as they struggled to create anything and were limited to long-range efforts, few of which troubled Brazilian Dida in the Milan goal. The closest they came in the first-half was when Hassli blasted over from a tight-angle just inside the penalty area after 20 minutes.
The match remained goalless at half-time, and the second-half began in a relaxed fashion with neither side seriously pressing for an opener, although Zurich did have a penalty claim when Hassli was brushed off the ball by Zambrotta inside the Milan penalty area, but the referee waved away the protests. With Milan beginning to run out of ideas, Ancelotti brought on star-man Kaka after an hour, to immediate effect. The Brazilian linked up with Seedorf and Ronaldinho to create the perfect opportunity for Emerson who somehow fired wide of the mark when it was easier to score. But he won’t be haunted by that miss as on 70 minutes Ronaldinho’s superb chipped through-ball allowed Shevchenko to slot the ball under Leoni and give his side a deserved lead. Relief and delight were evident on the Ukrainian’s face and the final whistle made it all the sweeter for the 32 year old, as it proved to be the winner for the Rossoneri. Milan will now await their fate in the group stages draw on Tuesday, October 7th.
Dan Winter
