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

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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)

Great win coupled with the other result sometimes they make it look so easy, amazing performance
Something you see only in serie A, the ref arguing with Nesta in the meanwhile the ref notices Lecce have taken their corner and has to get out of the way

I saw the whole match and Milan played great for 60 minutes. After in 3 subs few minutes Milan stopped to play easy and wanted everything to be so fine. Expecially Rui Costa - his always makes the same moves and I think he has to try something new as he lost the ball everytime.

Dhorasoo simply great .. but also Kaka and Shevchenko. I think Sheva will get nearly get a 9.0 in Gazzetta Tomorrow

Saw the old lady draw in the Tardini, and caught some of the goal action from the Milan match, all the first half goals actually.

A good result for Milan, however Nesta´s ban will surely hurt us, as I doubt Stam will be back in time to replace him when the resulting suspension hits.

We were a little complacent in letting in 2 goals, but they proved to be pointless anyway...

FORZA MILAN!!!

Just happy to know we won. (I don't get coverage of Seria A, you see)

But Crespo, hmm......... was his performance good enough to convince? (to make a permanent move for him)

Originally Posted by Rapierist

But Crespo, hmm......... was his performance good enough to convince?

Crespo boy do I feel stupid I wasn't patient with this guy.

[quote=Warro Bantan}

We were a little complacent in letting in 2 goals, but they proved to be pointless anyway...

FORZA MILAN!!![/QUOTE]

I doubt if it is complacency or the fact that Nesta is sent off that we conceded 2 goals.

Now Billy is warming up for the next game I guess

An excellent match from us and a beautiful display combined with the good news coming from the other match means that we are just two points behind Juve . It seems we made full use of the league stop because all of our players came from the rest in an excellent shape with Crespo scoring a hat-trick and Sheva and Thomasson completing the demolition . I believe Dhorasso who replaced Seedorf played a good match on the left of our midfield . Well done and looking forward to another victory on Sunday .

A fantastic game! You guys saw Sheva with the Golden Ball ? The tv flash that image again after he scored the goal Vikash was great!I love this attacking Milan! The only set back is Sandro's red card!! From Sandro's reaction I can see he mummurs something like "vaffanc***" when leaving the field...he must be terribly pissed!Was jumping in joy when I knew Parma equalised!Burn in hell Juvemerda!!!

So Billy will play in the next game? He won't disappoint us...FORZA MILAN!!

GREAT GAME. Excellent performance by all team, especially Dhorasso (I think he was the man of the match). The most think that impressed me is that Shevchenko gave to assists when he had the chance to score to Crespo and Tomasson.

The only bad think, the red card to Nesta, he could have left Bojinov run away, we where 4-0 that time.

Great game! Credit to Sheva for giving Crespo the 4 goal when he could have scored himself. I guess he wants him to stay

Originally Posted by Henrik

Great game! Credit to Sheva for giving Crespo the 4 goal when he could have scored himself. I guess he wants him to stay

I want him to stay, too!

Sheva, Crespo, Pippo, JDT, Gilardino....Pick four, dump one Not all that easy.

[quote=Jeff]

Originally Posted by Warro Bantan}

We were a little complacent in letting in 2 goals, but they proved to be pointless anyway...

FORZA MILAN!!![/QUOTE

I doubt if it is complacency or the fact that Nesta is sent off that we conceded 2 goals.

Quite so, quite so.....I stand corrected. We did concede while down to 10 men, and did manage to score a goal despite our reduced team.

Kudos to our players then, and I totally retract my comment as per their complacency...

I am so happy that we have closed the gap, that I may have been somewhat giddy when writing that post!