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Milan hold off Arsenal
Posted - 21st February 2008
It could have gone so-much worse for AC Milan, playing at the Emirates stadium against Arsenal last night. Milan have had foul luck this season, and coming in to the game had lost Ronaldo (just as he was coming back into the squad from injury) dramatically just a week ago when he twisted his left-knee in a dissapointing 1-1 draw with Livorno. At the weekend both first-choice goalkeepers Dida and Kalac seemed injured - in the event, Kalac was fit to play last night. In the end, though, experience shone through, particularly in the form of Paolo Maldini (who picked up his 1,000th appearance for the club at the weekend) who marshalled a Milan defence constantly under-attack, to force a 0-0 draw.
Right from the off, Arsenal were keen (perhaps overly keen) to take the game to Milan.For much of the 90 minutes the game was played in Milan's half, as Arsenal closed down Milan's midfield. A surprise in the starting line-up was Pato, the young brazilian striker who, almost single-handedly(footedly?) dragged a demoralised Milan back into action on his debut in January. Since then the club has doggedly fought its way back up the rankings in Serie A, and is now chasing Fiorentina for a fourth-place finish (to qualify for next season's Champions League automatically). The 18 year old, who has caused an outbreak of pato-mania amongst the rossoneri fans, had not been expected to be match-fit in time for this crucial match, having been injured, twisting his ankle, at the start of this month. In the end, the lack of conistent service from midfield meant that the weight on Pato's shoulders to turn this match around was ultimately too heavy. During the second half Ancelotti reverted to ex-Parma striker Alberto Gilardino, but to no avail.
Instead, the initiative in the game lay predominantly with Arsenal, but consistent errors made by their attack meant that Australian goalkeeper Kalac was rarely tested to the full. The goalkeeper had reported a dislocated phalanx in his index finger during Monday morning's training, and his fitness was presumably a worry to Ancelotti, who nonetheless played him given his lack of alternatives.
It says something about Milan's current psychologial state, that the European and World Club Champions were more than happy with a 0-0 draw. They suffered 93 minutes without ever looking particularly dangerous up front. Both Adebayor and Eboué had a number of good chances, which they nervously frittered away. Adebayor, in the closing minutes of the match had a clear chance to close the game, but his header hit the bar, denying Wenger's team the chance to go to the San Siro with a clear advantage.
Ancelotti, though, speaking from the sidelines to Italian television was clear about the task that lies ahead of Berlusconi's club. The team have suffered a number of shock defeats/draws at home this season, so much so that talk has abounded of a 'San Siro Curse'. At the same time Arsenal have more than a reasonable away record, having smashed Inter Milan in 2003 in a 5-1 win in the self-same Stadium Meazza (the official title of the San Siro). They've also beaten Real Madrid, and drawn with Juventus away from home. Milan also face the very real threat of not qualifying for the Champions League next year should they fail to win the competition - given that they've squandered two great opportunities to steal fourth-place position in Serie A from Fiorentina, and time is running late.
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