almilan

almilan · 06-01-2005, 11:41

report from www.channel4.com

Milan 5 - 2 Lecce
Crespo 23, 36, 57 (M), Shevchenko 51 (M), Bojinov 77 (L), Cassetti 85 (L), Tomasson 89 (M)
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

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A five-star Milan performance put paid to Lecce's hopes of causing an upset, as Hernan Crespo bags a hat-trick.

Milan ended 2004 on a high with a 6-0 drubbing of Fiorentina and fine performance against leaders Juventus, though they remained four points adrift of the top spot. Their clash with Lecce, perhaps the most entertaining side in Serie A this season and playing without suspended defender Suleymane Diamoutene, was sure to be an action-packed encounter. Zdenek Zeman, who has never won in this stadium, surprisingly opted to leave Valeri Bojinov on the bench.

There was a special occasion for the San Siro supporters before kick-off, as Andriy Shevchenko was presented with the European Player of the Year award and did a lap of honour with the Ballon d'Or held aloft.

Hernan Crespo just failed to get on the end of Shevchenko's low cross after five minutes, but Vincenzo Sicignano was called into a great save on Kaka's strike from the edge of the box following more impressive build-up from the Ukrainian.

The Lecce goalkeeper was at full stretch to block Crespo at the end of a good team move. The Rossoneri were piling on the pressure and took the lead after 23 minutes. Rullo's error allowed Kaka to run free, rolling a perfect cross for Crespo to tap in at the back post.

Kaka was again the provider soon after, but this time Shevchenko's rapid turn and volley was inches wide, then the former Dynamo Kiev star forced Sicignano to bravely rush off his line.

Kaka was inspired this afternoon and set up Crespo for his second of the game. This time the Brazilian marauded down the left and rolled across for Crespo, who dribbled round the 'keeper and deposited the ball into an empty net.

It was nothing short of a siege on Sicignano with shots raining in from Andrea Pirlo, Shevchenko, Kaka and Marcos Cafu.

Pirlo was set to make it 3-0 in the final minute of the first half, but the woodwork kept out his curling free kick from the edge of the box.

Shevchenko grabbed the third of the day, a fine way to celebrate the Ballon d'Or. A long Pirlo free kick found Sheva's header at the back post, though once again Lecce's defending was disappointing.

Shevchenko also showed his generosity on the hour mark, springing the Lecce offside trap and choosing to roll across for Crespo to complete his hat-trick rather than going for glory himself.

Alessandro Nesta saw red for a last man foul on substitute Bojinov, even though Paolo Maldini was very close by. It proved an important moment, as Bojinov fired in from that free kick on the edge of the box.

Lecce staged an unlikely comeback in the closing minutes, as Marco Cassetti's angled drive from a Bojinov assist was the second goal they put past Dida.

However, Shevchenko made sure the result was safe by springing the offside trap and rolling across for the umarked Jon Dahl Tomasson to tap in Milan's fifth. The Rossoneri have now scored 11 goals in their last two home games.

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Milan: Dida; Cafu, Nesta,Maldini, Pancaro; Gattuso (Brocchi 73), Pirlo, Dhorasoo; Kakà (Rui Costa 64); Shevchenko, Crespo (Tomasson 60)

Lecce: Sicignano; Cassetti, Paci, Stovini, Rullo; Giacomazzi, Ledesma, Dalla Bona (Eremenko 81); Babù, Bjelanovic (Pinardi 46), Konan

Ref: Trefoloni

Sent off: Nesta 71 (M)

06-01-2005, 11:41	#1
almilan Registered User Join Date: 07 2004 Location: Ireland Fave Players: Maldini, Baresi, Gullit, Shevchenko, Kaka	Milan Leece Post Game Comments report from www.channel4.com Milan 5 - 2 Lecce Crespo 23, 36, 57 (M), Shevchenko 51 (M), Bojinov 77 (L), Cassetti 85 (L), Tomasson 89 (M) Stadio Giuseppe Meazza -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A five-star Milan performance put paid to Lecce's hopes of causing an upset, as Hernan Crespo bags a hat-trick. Milan ended 2004 on a high with a 6-0 drubbing of Fiorentina and fine performance against leaders Juventus, though they remained four points adrift of the top spot. Their clash with Lecce, perhaps the most entertaining side in Serie A this season and playing without suspended defender Suleymane Diamoutene, was sure to be an action-packed encounter. Zdenek Zeman, who has never won in this stadium, surprisingly opted to leave Valeri Bojinov on the bench. There was a special occasion for the San Siro supporters before kick-off, as Andriy Shevchenko was presented with the European Player of the Year award and did a lap of honour with the Ballon d'Or held aloft. Hernan Crespo just failed to get on the end of Shevchenko's low cross after five minutes, but Vincenzo Sicignano was called into a great save on Kaka's strike from the edge of the box following more impressive build-up from the Ukrainian. The Lecce goalkeeper was at full stretch to block Crespo at the end of a good team move. The Rossoneri were piling on the pressure and took the lead after 23 minutes. Rullo's error allowed Kaka to run free, rolling a perfect cross for Crespo to tap in at the back post. Kaka was again the provider soon after, but this time Shevchenko's rapid turn and volley was inches wide, then the former Dynamo Kiev star forced Sicignano to bravely rush off his line. Kaka was inspired this afternoon and set up Crespo for his second of the game. This time the Brazilian marauded down the left and rolled across for Crespo, who dribbled round the 'keeper and deposited the ball into an empty net. It was nothing short of a siege on Sicignano with shots raining in from Andrea Pirlo, Shevchenko, Kaka and Marcos Cafu. Pirlo was set to make it 3-0 in the final minute of the first half, but the woodwork kept out his curling free kick from the edge of the box. Shevchenko grabbed the third of the day, a fine way to celebrate the Ballon d'Or. A long Pirlo free kick found Sheva's header at the back post, though once again Lecce's defending was disappointing. Shevchenko also showed his generosity on the hour mark, springing the Lecce offside trap and choosing to roll across for Crespo to complete his hat-trick rather than going for glory himself. Alessandro Nesta saw red for a last man foul on substitute Bojinov, even though Paolo Maldini was very close by. It proved an important moment, as Bojinov fired in from that free kick on the edge of the box. Lecce staged an unlikely comeback in the closing minutes, as Marco Cassetti's angled drive from a Bojinov assist was the second goal they put past Dida. However, Shevchenko made sure the result was safe by springing the offside trap and rolling across for the umarked Jon Dahl Tomasson to tap in Milan's fifth. The Rossoneri have now scored 11 goals in their last two home games. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Milan: Dida; Cafu, Nesta,Maldini, Pancaro; Gattuso (Brocchi 73), Pirlo, Dhorasoo; Kakà (Rui Costa 64); Shevchenko, Crespo (Tomasson 60) Lecce: Sicignano; Cassetti, Paci, Stovini, Rullo; Giacomazzi, Ledesma, Dalla Bona (Eremenko 81); Babù, Bjelanovic (Pinardi 46), Konan Ref: Trefoloni Sent off: Nesta 71 (M)