Football United

Two first-half goals from Paolo Maldini were enough to give Milan all three points against Reggina who scored a late consolation goal through Simone Cavalli. Overall, it was a comfortable win for the Rossoneri, with the captain scoring the first after just five minutes as he dribbled into the area before firing a low drive into the corner of the net. The second game on 20 minutes when the defender rose in the area to head home a Rui Costa header. Christain Vieri came close to extending the lead in the second half before the visitors netted a consolation goal with the last kick of the game.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti made a number of changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Schalke 04 in midweek, with Jaap Stam and Serginho starting in the full-back roles. Johann Vogel replaced Andrea Pirlo in the centre of midfield while Rui Costa was given the advanced role behind strikers Andriy Shevchenko and Vieri. It was certainly a day to remember for Maldini has he rolled back the years with a neat nutmeg just inside the left-hand side of the penalty and hitting home for the opener. Shevchenko then went close with a fierce drive as Milan looked to kill off the game early on. It was Maldini who answered Ancelotti call to end this ohase of the season before the international break on a high as the 37 year old out-jumped the defence to head in for his first brace of his career. Vieri then ran through on Rui Costa’s excellent pass but put his shot wide of goalkeeper Nicola Pavarini and the post. Reggina almost pulled a goal back before the break but Simone Cavalli headed over from a promising position.

Milan continued to enjoy more of the possession in the second half and Vogel hit a powerful shot wide whiel Vieri floated a cross-shot to the back post which Pavarini was forced to push away for a corner. Rui Costa was once again on hand to provide a prefect pass but despite controlling the ball well on the edge of the area, Bobo curled his effort just over the bar. Kakà came on for Shevchenko but it was Seedorf who produced an amazing moment of magic when the midfielder acrobatically twisted in mid-air to crash a bicycle-kick just past the frame of the goal. With four minutes to go, Rui Costa saw a shot deflect off a defender and against the bar and then another delightful move ended with Vieri’s backheel almost letting Kakà in but the goalkeeper reacted quickly and Stam could not keep his follow-up shot down. Some slack tackling along the right flank saw the ball played over the top of the home defence and Cavalli slid his shot into the roof of the net but that could not take the shine off the victory or Maldini’s double strike.

MILAN: Dida; Stam, Nesta, Maldini, Serginho; Gattuso, Vogel, Seedorf; Rui Costa; Shevchenko (Kaka, 74'), Vieri

REGGINA: Pavarini; Carobbio (Missiroli, 81'), De Rosa, Franceschini, Lanzaro (A Lucarelli, 81'); Mesto, Paredes (Cavalli, 12'), Tedesco, Modesto; Vigiani; Cozza

GOALS: 1-0, Maldini (5'); 2-0, Maldini (20'); 2-1, Cavalli (94')

SERIE A

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Juventus 6 18
2. Milan 6 13
3. Fiorentina 6 13
4. Sampdoria 6 12
5. Inter 6 12

Source: acmilan.it