Milan Failed To Shorten The Gap

Milan - There is no revenge on beating 2-4 from Juventus at Turin. At San Siro it finished Milan-Juventus 1-1 in the Sunday evening match of the 35th matchday of Serie A. The Rossoneri went in front in the 57th minute with Clarence Seedorf's goal, Juventus drew in the 60th minute with Vincenzo Iaquinta's goal.

Played the game at late sunday, the Rossoneri failed to shorten the gap from seven points to just five's over the leader Inter Milan, which is Inter were also held, 2-2 at Chievo.

With Nedved suspended and Del Piero on the bench due to tactical choices, Juventus tried to build its game on the wings. An inspired Camoranesi and Marchionni, helped by De Ceglie, created right from the first minutes problems to the Rossoneri full-backs who found it difficult to hold on one against one. In fact the first opportunity of the game is created by Camoranesi, well assisted by Amauri in the 12th minute.

The home side had a golden opportunity to open the scoring on 20 minutes as Clarence Seedorf floated a cross into the area. Filippo Inzaghi, who had found the net 11 occasions in his previous eight games, beat his marker Giorgio Chiellini but uncharacteristically shot the ball just over the crossbar.

After a very tactical and blocked first half, the two teams return on the pitch with the same formations. Juventus attacked very well, with Iaquinta and Amauri always dangerous.

Milan does not find spaces where to launch Kaka and Juventus often opt for long balls for the attackers. In the 27th minute Milan scored with Clarence Seedorf. Zambrotta intercepted Nicola Legrottaglie to start an outstanding counter attack where he released the ball to a sprinting Inzaghi who then cut back to Massimo Ambrosini but the latter’s mishit set up the Seedorf perfectly who had only the easiest of tap-ins you'll see.

The happiness was very short-lived as Juventus levelled just three minutes later. Camoranesi’s spot on cross found Iaquinta’s diving header attempt after he’d gotten past Flamini who, up until that point, had been one of the best players on the field.

With roughly five minutes to go Giuseppe Favalli received his second yellow card for the evening – leaving Milan to finish the game with ten men.

After four additional minutes of stoppage time referee Orsato blew the final whistle as the final scoreline read 1-1.


MILAN : Kalac; Flamini, Maldini, Favalli, Zambrotta; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Kaka, Inzaghi.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Camoranesi, Poulsen, Zanetti, Marchionni; Iaquinta, Amauri.


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