8/9/2009- Milan leave the "Da Luz" partially satisfied. The match against Benfica saw a team that reacted very well to the disadvantage. It's important to fight until the 90th minute. Pato and Nesta did well.MILAN - After the defeats in the United States a draw after 90 minutes was needed. It gives a bit of morale and shows a group that doesn't give up. 3 minutes from the end Milan were a goal down, but tenacity and desire not to lose made sure that there was a right reaction. The Eusebio Cup goes to Rui Costa's Benfica, but only after a long series of penalties.
Leonardo, compared to the expected formation, had to do without Mathieu Flamini. The Frenchman was forced to pull out of the match with a tendon problem. In his place Jankulovski in midfield and Favalli in defence.Benfica started strongly, with two initiatives by Cardozo and Ramires which caused Storari problems. The Rossoneri tried to react, but in the first half there were few playable balls for Pato and Borriello. Both were forced to retreat in turns to take part in the action.The first 45 minutes went by without real emotions. Leonardo's formation had a few sparse chances only in the end of the first half, when first Thiago Silva and then Borriello failed to take advantage of a couple of chances. In the first case the Brazilian couldn't control the ball well, alone in front of Quim; in the second case Borriello couldn't head a good ball coming in from the left. It ended 0-0.
The second half saw a more aggressive and more temperamental Milan. Also because the team had to come back from a goal down. The 1-0 goal, in fact, came in the 58th minute thanks to a cross from the left wing (after losing a ball) by Shaffer. Thiago Silva and Favalli tried to get the ball, but they were a bit late; in the middle there was Cardozo who jumped and headed the ball, which went in at the far post.The team's reaction was there. Ronaldinho tried to invent something and sent forward a few interesting balls forward. On one of these Zambrotta sent in a powerful cross, which was deflected out for a corner.Milan continued to try and attack, doing so aggressively, not always with order, but 3 minutes before the end they reaped the benefits. Antonini won the ball in his half, played the ball forward, picking out Pato's run perfectly; the striker disoriented Luisao with a series of dribbles, played a low ball in for Borriello, who was anticipated with a slide by Sidnei, which deflected the ball in Benfica's goal: it's the 1-1 goal which sent the teams to penalties.
The penalty series was infinite, because first Ronaldinho and Thiago Silva missed for Milan, and Fabio Coentrao and Weldon for Benfica. The penalties went to sudden death, and Zambrotta had a chance to win the game after Patric's error, but he missed. Sidnei and Antonini scored and missed respectively in the last round. Benfica won 6-5.
Leonardo, compared to the expected formation, had to do without Mathieu Flamini. The Frenchman was forced to pull out of the match with a tendon problem. In his place Jankulovski in midfield and Favalli in defence.Benfica started strongly, with two initiatives by Cardozo and Ramires which caused Storari problems. The Rossoneri tried to react, but in the first half there were few playable balls for Pato and Borriello. Both were forced to retreat in turns to take part in the action.The first 45 minutes went by without real emotions. Leonardo's formation had a few sparse chances only in the end of the first half, when first Thiago Silva and then Borriello failed to take advantage of a couple of chances. In the first case the Brazilian couldn't control the ball well, alone in front of Quim; in the second case Borriello couldn't head a good ball coming in from the left. It ended 0-0.
The second half saw a more aggressive and more temperamental Milan. Also because the team had to come back from a goal down. The 1-0 goal, in fact, came in the 58th minute thanks to a cross from the left wing (after losing a ball) by Shaffer. Thiago Silva and Favalli tried to get the ball, but they were a bit late; in the middle there was Cardozo who jumped and headed the ball, which went in at the far post.The team's reaction was there. Ronaldinho tried to invent something and sent forward a few interesting balls forward. On one of these Zambrotta sent in a powerful cross, which was deflected out for a corner.Milan continued to try and attack, doing so aggressively, not always with order, but 3 minutes before the end they reaped the benefits. Antonini won the ball in his half, played the ball forward, picking out Pato's run perfectly; the striker disoriented Luisao with a series of dribbles, played a low ball in for Borriello, who was anticipated with a slide by Sidnei, which deflected the ball in Benfica's goal: it's the 1-1 goal which sent the teams to penalties.
The penalty series was infinite, because first Ronaldinho and Thiago Silva missed for Milan, and Fabio Coentrao and Weldon for Benfica. The penalties went to sudden death, and Zambrotta had a chance to win the game after Patric's error, but he missed. Sidnei and Antonini scored and missed respectively in the last round. Benfica won 6-5.
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