Milan Bologna Post game comments

report from www.channel4.com



Serie A Week 21 - 30/1/05 (15.00)
Milan 0 - 1 Bologna
Locatelli 27 (B)
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

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Milan hit 19 goals at Pagliuca's net, but were unable to get past him as Bologna inflict the Rossoneri's second consecutive defeat and leave them eight points adrift of leaders Juventus.

The Rossoneri were still reeling from their shock 1-0 defeat to Livorno last Sunday, and the midweek 3-2 Coppa Italia win over Udinese only highlighted their latest defensive worries.

Paolo Maldini returned to central defence in order to replace the suspended Alessandro Nesta, while Bologna's injury crisis continued with Mourad Meghni, Igli Tare, Giacomo Cipriani, Carlo Nervo and Nicola Legrottaglie all sidelined, but new signing Marco Ferrante was on the bench.

Andriy Shevchenko pushed forward from the start and nodded Serginho's cross just wide, then Gianluca Pagliuca got down well to block his piledriver from distance and he wasted a good chance set up by Dhorasoo.

Vikash Dhorasoo thought he had opened the scoring with a spectacular volley from the edge of the box, but the goal was harshly disallowed for a handling offence.

Kaka really should have scored on 20 minutes when he skipped past his marker on Hernan Crespo's cutback, but he hesitated and Andrea Sussi performed a crucial tackle.

Serginho was given the left-back role after impressing in the Coppa Italia midweek, but he touched a good opportunity wide from close range.

Bologna were locked down in defence and concentrated only on the counter-attack, which broke the deadlock after 27 minutes. Tomas Locatelli combined with Zagorakis, including a delightful backheel from the Euro 2004 winner, before driving home with his left foot from the edge of the box with the Rossoblu's first effort.

There was more bad news for Milan, as just before half-time Shevchenko picked up a knock to his ankle from Gamberini and was replaced by Jon Dahl Tomasson. The San Siro supporters were concerned at the sight of the European Player of the Year being carried off the field.

Tomasson's glancing header was not far off the near post from Marcos Cafu's cross, but the push forward left more room at the back and Claudio Bellucci fired a great chance over the bar on the stroke of half-time.

In the second half, Crespo was on the floor surrounded by two defenders, but still managed to swing in a shot that was well saved by Pagliuca, then he nodded Serginho's cross off target.

Milan were laying siege to Bologna's net, but the Rossoblu clammed up around the penalty area. A Pirlo free kick came out to Cafu and his strike took a deflection off Christian Amoroso to push the ball inches past the far post.

Pagliuca flew to punch a Pirlo free kick off Massimo Ambrosini's head from six yards, then Zagorakis needed a goalline clearance to stop Ambrosini equalising from a Manuel Rui Costa centre.

Pagliuca parried a Cafu strike as the entire second half was played in the Bologna area, then Gamberini toe-poked the loose ball clear before Tomasson could pounce.


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Milan: Dida; Cafu, Stam, Maldini, Serginho; Gattuso (Ambrosini 62), Pirlo, Dhorasoo; Kakà (Rui Costa 70); Shevchenko (Tomasson 42), Crespo

Bologna: Pagliuca; Juarez, Gamberini, Torrisi, Nastase; Zagorakis, Colucci, Amoroso (Giunti 77), Sussi; Locatelli (Loviso 90), Bellucci (Ferrante 93)

Ref: De Santis