|
Inzaghi double helps Milan crush Bayern
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-09 09:17
MILAN, March 8 (Reuters) - Filippo Inzaghi struck twice as AC Milan crushed
Bayern Munich 4-1 on Wednesday to go through to the Champions League
quarter-finals.
Inzaghi put the Italians on their way to a 5-2 aggregate win with an eighth
minute header. Andriy Shevchenko missed a penalty soon after but the Ukrainian
made amends in the 25th minute with a fine header to put Milan 2-0 ahead on the
night.
Bayern got back into the game in the 36th through Valerien Ismael but after
the break Milan put the game beyond the Germans with Inzaghi's second goal, his
50th in European club competition, before Kaka made it 4-1 with a confident
finish.
It was an impressive display from Carlo Ancelotti's side, beaten on penalties
by Liverpool in last season's final, and they are benefiting from a return to
form by the prolific Inzaghi and from a renewed steel in their defence.
"Alessandro Nesta and Kakha Kaladze were great at the back," said Ancelotti
"The full backs did so much attacking, the midfield was aggressive and strikers
produced four goals --- its hard to find a way to say more than that.
"We won with great application and quality, with everyone involved, it was
really nice to see," added the Milan coach.
CURIOUS RECORD
The six-times European champions will now hope to continue a curious record
-- three previous times they have knocked Bayern out of a European tie they have
gone on to win the trophy.
Milan, missing suspended midfielder Gennaro Gattuso and injured full backs
Paolo Maldini and Cafu, went ahead with a goal of absolute simplicity.
Brazilian Serginho whipped in a cross from the left that found Inzaghi at the
back post and he headed home to continue his hot streak that was brought seven
goals in the last five Serie A games.
With Kaka confident in midfield and Serginho finding plenty of space on the
left, Milan had a firm grip on the game.
|
