Milan 3-1 Siena
Milan bounced back from the draw at Ascoli to record a home win against Siena. Massimo Ambrosini opened the scoring on 15 minutes and Andriy Shevchenko added a second with a stunning shot on the half-hour mark. An Igor Tudor header brought the visitors back into the game but Kaka put the result beyond doubt with nine minutes to go.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti made a number of changes to his side as Paolo Maldini returned to captain the team in what was his 568th Serie A appearance - just one short of Zino Zoff’s all-time record - partnering Alessandro Nesta in the centre of defence. Jaap Stam moved over to right-back and Serginho was employed on the left. Ambrosini joined Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf in midfield, with Rui Costa just behind Shevchenko and Alberto Gilardino.
Milan dominated possession from the off and Gilardino fired over from a precise Serginho pass but the breakthrough came when Stam released Shevchenko on the right of the area and the Ukraine international out-paced his marker before pulling the ball back for Ambrosini to sidefoot home from close range. Rui Costa then volleyed a Stam cross just wide and Shevchenko had a firm drive well saved. Gilardino came close with an angled shot but on 30 minutes Shevchenko unleashed an unstoppable thunderbolt from just outside the area which flew into the roof of the net. There was danger at the other end when Dida saved a Erjon Bogdani header but uncertainty at the back allowed Siena to reduce the deficit just before the break when Tudor rose unmarked at a corner to head home.
Ancelotti brought on Cafu for Stam five minutes into the second half and Milan continued to find space down the flanks as Seedorf whipped in a cross which Gilardino just failed to direct goalwards. The striker was unfortunate not to open his account on 57 minutes when a great through-ball from Pirlo was flicked on by Shevchenko to send Gilardino running on goal. The new signing rounded the keeper only for Francesco Colonese to get back and crash the ball off the post and away to safety. Rino Gattuso then came on for Seedorf as the Tuscan side began to look dangerous but it was the introduction of Kaka that was to be decisive. The young Brazilian, who replaced Rui Costa, went on one his familar runs into the heart of the defence before drawing the keeper and sliding the ball home with his left foot.
MILAN: Dida; Stam (Cafu, 52'), Nesta, Maldini, Serginho; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf (Gattuso, 67'), Rui Costa (Kaka, 73'); Shevchenko, Gilardino
SIENA: Mirante; Negro, Legrottaglie, Colonnese (Marazzina, 63'), Portanova; Alberto (Foglio, 76'), Tudor, Vergassola; Locatelli (Falsini, 59'); Chiesa, Bogdani
GOALS: 1-0, Ambrosini (15'); 2-0, Shevchenko (30'); 2-1, Tudor (44'); 3-1, Kaká (81')
SERIE A
Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Juventus 2 6
2. Livorno 2 6
3. Udinese 2 6
4. Milan 2 4
5. Fiorentina 2 4
Source: acmilan.it
