Tomasson's late finish gives Milan a flattering advantage
Milan 2 - PSV Eindhoven
Milan, as expected, go into the second leg of the Champions' League semi-final against PSV Eindhoven next Wednesday holding a comfortable advantage but this was far from the routine victory predicted for the Italian side.
Milan, as expected, go into the second leg of the Champions' League semi-final against PSV Eindhoven next Wednesday holding a comfortable advantage but this was far from the routine victory predicted for the Italian side.
Having taken the lead through the striker Andrei Shevchenko on the stroke of half-time, Milan lost their way in the second-half and PSV were unlucky not to depart with a precious away-goal, Ji-Sung Park, their South Korean striker, missing a number of gilt-edged chances.
To add insult to injury, Milan then scored a fortuitous second in the final minute, Jon Dahl Tomasson, the former Newcastle forward, was in the right place to finish when a Kaka shot deflected off Philip Cocu in the area.
Milan had just about edged the first half, Hernan Crespo going close twice before Kaka engineered the breakthrough in the 42nd minute. The Brazilian's well-weighted pass bisected the visitors defence and Shevchenko was on it in a flash to finish calmly.
Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Cafu, Maldini, Stam, Kaladze; Pirlo (Ambrosini, 72), Gattuso, Seedorf (Serginho, 81); Kaka; Crespo (Tomasson, 64), Shevchenko. Substitutes not used: Abbiati (gk), Costacurta, Inzaghi, Rui Costa.
PSV Eindhoven (4-3-1-2): Gomes; Ooijer, Alex, Bouma (Lucius, h-t), Lee; Van Bommel, Cocu, Vogel; Park ; Farfan, Beasley (Vennegoor of Hesselink, 61). Substitutes not used: Zoetebier (gk), Addo, Bogelund, Afellay, Sibon.
Referee: K Vassaras (Greece).
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