Football United

Milan left Genoa empty-handed after going down to a 2-1 defeat against Sampdoria for their first loss of the season. The Rossoneri had won their last three out of four visits to the Luigi Ferraris stadium but on this occasion could not overcome a well-organised and determined home side, as goals from Emiliano Bonazzoli and Max Tonnetto wiped out Alberto Gilardino’s first goal in a Milan shirt.

It started as a day of celebration for Milan, with Paolo Maldini making his 800th appearance for the club in all competitions and Kaka his century. It was always going to be a difficult trip and coach Carlo Ancelotti started Gilardino in attack alongside Andriy Shevchenko. Jaap Stam partnered Paolo Maldini in the centre of defence as Alessandro Nesta dropped to the bench while Marcos Cafu and Kahka Kaladze occupied the full-back positions. Rino Gattuso returned to midfield as did Clarence Seedorf alongside Andrea Pirlo, with Kaka in a more adavance role. Sampdoria coach Walter Novellino fielded a more traditional 4-4-2 formation, with main striker Francesco Flachi starting amongst the substitutes as Lamberto Zauli came in to reinforce the midfield as well as supporting Bonazzoli.

Milan enjoyed the early possession, as the home side sat back in their own half, and took the lead on 18 minutes when Pirlo fed Shevchenko who produced a wonderful backheel to set Gilardino free on goal. The striker made no mistake as he side-footed home to open his goalscoring account for the club. Dida was then called into action as the Brazilian goalkeeper got down to smother a weak Zauli effort. Shevchenko once again sent Gilardino through but this time a combination of goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli and defender Marcello Castellini did enough to put him off. Gattuso found Shevchenko inside the area but the Ukrainian star’s shot was just off target. Milan were to pay for the missed chances when on 38 minutes a Castellini header following a cross from the left came back off the bar and Bonazzoli volleyed home at the back post.

Ancelotti made no changes at half time and the early stages of the second half were played in the Sampdoria third of the pitch as Milan kept up the pressure. However, the home side were looking dangerous on the break and took the lead on 58 minutes when Aimo Diana won a challenge against Kaladze near the corner flag and his cross evaded everyone before landing at the feet of Tonnetto who powered a drive past Dida at the back post. Kaka almost drew the sides level but Antonioli spread himself well on two occasions to deny the young Brazilian. The goalkeeper then blocked a goalbound Shevchenko shot from close range as Christian Vieri came on for his first Milan appearance in the league. The striker saw a fierce free-kick parried away as the visitors went all out for the equaliser in a pulsating finale but it was not to come as the referee blew his final whistle after four minutes of added time.

SAMPDORIA: Antonioli; Zenoni, Castellini, Pavan, Pisano; Diana, Volpi, Dalla Bona, Tonetto (Palombo, 70'); Zauli (Flachi, 58'), Bonazzoli (Kutuzov, 78')

MILAN: Dida; Cafu (Vieri, 79'), Stam, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso (Serginho, 62'), Pirlo (Ambrosini, 73'), Seedorf, Kakà; Shevchenko, Gilardino

GOALS: 0-1, Gilardino (18'); 1-1, Bonazzoli (38'); 2-1, Tonetto (58')

SERIE A

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Juventus 3 9
2. Fiorentina 3 7
3. Lazio 3 7
4. Palermo 3 7
5. Livorno 3 7
...
11. Milan 3 4

Source: acmilan.it