The tension corresponding to the status of the Champions League semifinal in the pre-match communication between the coaches of Milan and Manchester United with the press did not go beyond the traditional exchange of reverence to opponents and a restrained expression of confidence in their superiority. Sir Alex Ferguson again distracted from pressing matters by Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese, apparently, decided to get the “MJ” at least with his speeches, since the Premier League does not work in the standings. Mutual injections have already reached class enmity, just a little more - and Ferguson will kiss all the coaches who were able to stop Chelsea. He had already promised it to Sam Allardyce, and perhaps Benitez. In the Champions League final.
The week that has passed since the first semi-final round brought MJ a number of encouraging staff news. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, those who left the infirmary, were able to help defend the unstable advantage obtained at Old Trafford. The latter, however, matured only to the reserve, and the Serb, who made a couple of central defenders with Wes Brown, ultimately failed the game. Lucky goalkeeper John O'Shea remained on the right flank, and Gabriel Heinze shifted to the left. This time there was no one to face the Argentine - Patrice Evra missed a meeting due to disqualification. Gennaro Gattuso immediately offered his services to United defender, but this, of course, did not deliver Heinze's exclusive joy.
Reno’s participation in the game after the damage in the first match was questioned for some time, to which the doctors of Milan could still find a positive answer. But Paolo Maldini did not have time to recover from the injury and, after blessing Kakha Kaladze, he watched the duel from the side. The main "trick" Carlo Ancelotti was a previously announced appearance in the base as the only striker Filippo Inzaghi. In addition to Super Pippo himself and his many fans, this circumstance, I suppose, delighted tote fans who reached out to the bookmakers to put the “top” on the offsides of Milan (and miscalculated, by the way).
Otherwise, all the teams remained the same - the scheme with one striker and two wandering attacking midfielders, the best football player in the world today (each club has its own) and a burning desire to spend the evening three weeks in Athens.
“Milan” did not rush forward, having barely heard the referee’s starting trill - at his age this is not solid. The Italians simply caught the rhythm of the downpour that hit the San Siro and, with measured monotonous inevitability, began to wash away the Mankunians' advantage remaining from the first match. In the first ten minutes, Kaka and Seedorf individually threatened the gates of someone else, and then, merging in a single impulse, opened an account. The Rossoneri combination was played at a time (pass from the depths of Nesta) - two (Seedorf's discount on his head) - three (Kaka hit from the penalty line to the right corner) and did not contain a single extra movement. 1-0 - and Milan immediately seized the advantage.
Before the game, Alex Ferguson said more than once that his team intends to attack and will certainly not sit at their gates. However, the Italians, apparently, listened to this part of the press conference and, even having opened an account, did not let the Mancunians from their half of the field. Pressure, rational control of the ball, a game with a minimum of touches - and the “MU” in the first half hour did not even really consider someone else's goal.
And in the 30th minute, “Milan” doubled the advantage. It was Clarence Seedorf who, out of kindness, decided to show latecomers how Kaka had scored twenty minutes earlier. Everything is simple - a blow from the penalty line from a cluster of players in the lower right corner. The essence of van der Sar caught the first time, but again could not do anything. The rain intensified and, ending with the advantage of United, readily embarked on his hopes.
Winning back from 0: 2 is not a new affair for Manchester United, from whatever angle you look. From Italian - please, the semi-final of the Champions League-99 against Juventus, where it all started exactly the same, but ended 3: 2 (if you do not believe me, ask at least Inzaghi and Ancelotti, they have not forgotten). From English - be kind, gilded comeback a couple of days ago against Everton. However, this time it was read by the confused faces of the guests, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Ferguson: there would be nothing of the kind. Manchester lost the first 45 minutes not only in a row. The team did not have such a helpless half-time all season. Lost Ronaldo, confused at the feet of Giggs, forgotten Rooney and scored Fletcher - “Milan” was even closer to 3-0.
The second half began quietly. It is not surprising - considering the matter done, the rain stopped. Manchester United began to gradually open the bud of an intelligible game, appropriate without five points to the champion of the most powerful national league in Europe. However, the awakening again nearly prevented Kaka. The brazen run of the Brazilian between the defenders-mannequins was interrupted only by the van der Sar, who came out of the gate and stupor. The score was preserved, and with it the hopes of the guests.
By the 60th minute, Milan, as usual, got a little hooked. The grip in the center of the field loosened, the flanks were empty, there were more mistakes. It was at this moment that the intrigue last visited this confrontation. Or at least her illusion. “MU” began to appear with the ball dangerously close to the home goal, Fletcher struck dangerously, and Rooney showed a penalty. Forget the guests at this moment, and everything could still roll over. But...
However, miracles and exploits in their essence cannot happen on a schedule, twice a week, from the 61st to the 90th minutes of matches of Manchester United. How many times lately have the Mankunians allowed themselves to carry out at a high level only certain segments of the game and nevertheless achieved a result. But what goes on with Everton and Blackburn is not suitable for the Champions League semi-finals. And luck this time did not smile at the guests.
15 minutes before the end, Gilardino, who replaced, fled from the center of the field to the United goal and set up the final score. From the point of view of bare numbers, this ball did not fundamentally change the situation, but psychologically finished off the team of Alex Ferguson. To the roar of San Siro, on the courage of Gattuso and Kaka, Milan, even fatally tired, would never have given anything to anyone. And even though the incorrigible Manchester optimists in the 90th minute seemed to have something in common in the images of the recently replaced Gattuso and Lothar Matteus eight years ago - it was all over, no two goals were scored by Manchester United in extra time. The hosts won the case, Kaka proved his greatness.
The Milan award for a brilliant match was a trip for two to Greece. For two with Liverpool, with whom the Rossoneri had so dreamed of meeting the past two years. How to keep the score 3-0, Carlo Ancelotti has already rehearsed a little today. The Italian coach left San Siro with a tired, promising smile from the winner. Alex Ferguson could only frown annoyingly. As if he was forced to kiss Jose Mourinho.
MILAN Italy - MANCHESTER United England - 3: 0 (2: 0)
Goals: 1: 0 - Kaka (11), 2: 0 - Seedorf (30), 3: 0 - Gilardino (78).
MILAN : Dida, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo, Yankulovsky, Gattuso (Kafu, 84), Seedorf, Pirlo, Kaka (Favalli, 86), Ambrosini, Inzaghi (Gilardino, 67).
Manchester United : van der Sar, Heinze, Vidic, Brown, O'Shea (Saa, 77), Cristiano Ronaldo, Giggs, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Rooney.
Warnings : Ambrosini (75), Gattuso (83), Cristiano Ronaldo (84).
May 2 "Giuseppe Meazza". 22.45
Judge : Frank de Blacker (Belgium).
The first match is 2: 3.