CL: Milan - Celtic [04-12-07]

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Pippo orders three points Tuesday 4 December, 2007

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Pippo Inzaghi could break Gerd Muler’s European goal record this evening against Celtic, but he is focused on securing a win.

The Rossoneri are already through to the last 16, but they need to avoid defeat in order to secure top spot.

Inzaghi goes in search of European goal number 63 tonight to become the all-time leader in continental competition, but he has other priorities.

“I sincerely believe that the most important thing for us is that we finish first,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“Obviously a goal would see me overtake the record and to do so at San Siro would be special, but we will have to see.

“It makes me happy that it could happen to an Italian as it has never happened before and I will be delighted if it does.

“It’s clear that I have to thank all the teammates I have had as I wouldn’t have been able to score these goals without them.”

If Milan finish top of Group D they will be assured home advantage in the second leg of their last 16 game – a crucial advantage in Superpippo’s eyes.

“We will be running a serious risk if we lose this game and finish second as whenever we have been eliminated in recent years we have played the first game at home and the second away,” he warned.

“We really want to play the second leg at San Siro because our fans give us an extra lift. We need to win and we will give our all.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

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It finished 1-0 to Milan, Inzaghi scored after 70 minutes.

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Champions League, Gp D Matchday 6 - 4/12/07 (19.45)
Milan 1 - 0 Celtic
Inzaghi 70 (M)
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

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Pippo Inzaghi gave Milan a 1-0 victory over Celtic with his record-breaking 63rd European goal, beating Gerd Muller's UEFA total. The Scots also celebrate, as they qualify for the knockouts thanks to Shakhtar Donetsk's 2-1 home loss to Benfica.

Although the Rossoneri were already qualified, a defeat here would give Celtic the group and have important repercussions for the draw. Nelson Dida was strategically rested after his embarrassing antics in Glasgow - where he picked up a one-match ban for feigning injury in a clash with a local supporter - and the entire defence was reshuffled for this game. It was Kaka's first match since winning the Ballon d'Or on Sunday and he paraded the trophy around San Siro before kick-off.

Clarence Seedorf marked his 100th Champions League appearance and his touched-on free kick was charged down by the defensive wall. McManus performed a decisive tackle to close down Kaka as he charged towards goal, while Massimo Ambrosini drilled off target.

Seedorf's snapshot struck defensive bodies, but Celtic were almost made to pay for a woeful McManus error when he gave the ball straight to Kaka and the Brazilian blasted wide of the upright.

Pippo Inzaghi just failed to get a toe to Giuseppe Favalli's cross. Dario Simic made a rare start, but pulled up with a groin injury after just 29 minutes and made way for Kakha Kaladze.

Inzaghi was desperate to score so that he could officially surpass Gerd Muller's all-time UEFA scoring record, but kept losing his footing on the slippery San Siro turf. Massimo Donati charged down an effort from ex-Rangers man Gennaro Gattuso and Celtic's first shot on goal after 39 minutes was comfortably smothered from Jarosik.

Inzaghi was a little too desperate to net, as he took on Marcos Cafu's cross when Ambrosini was in a much better position right behind him, so the veteran sent the header sailing over the bar.

The Rossoneri moved a corner around well with Favalli and Seedorf's shot flashed over the target.

After the restart Andrea Pirlo's free kick curled just past the far post with Artur Boruc rooted to the spot. Moments later Kaka's shot on the spin was deflected into the path of Inzaghi, but Boruc managed to narrow the angle enough to prevent a goal.

Scott Brown got on the end of a splendid pass over the defence, but kicked the volley into the ground with only Kalac to beat. At the other end Milan had a period of sustained pressure and Caldwell flung himself at Seedorf's strike.

Inzaghi really should have scored on the hour mark after a wonderful team move. He must've assumed Favalli was offside when he got on the end of a Kaka pass and so SuperPippo headed it straight to Boruc from six yards! Yoann Gourcuff allowed Seedorf to rest for the final 20 minutes.

Inzaghi finally got his record-breaking 63rd goal in European club competition. Kaka combined with Cafu and Pendolino cut back for SuperPippo to sweep in from five yards with the inside of his right foot. It wasn't a total disaster for the Scots, as they would qualify for the knockout as long as Shakhtar Donetsk did not beat Benfica in the other game.

Kalac plucked a McGeady free kick out of the air and Cafu's snapshot was smothered. In one move there were several Milan shots on goal, but all were charged down from Cafu and Kaka until Gourcuff blasted over.

Boruc had to keep his wits about him with a splendid double save on both Cristian Brocchi and Inzaghi's follow-up from point-blank range.

Kalac denied Brown Celtic's first away goal of the campaign as the strike stung his palms at the near post. Boruc parried another Brochi long-ranger and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink nodded a good Gary Caldwell cross wide of the target.

Kaka almost scored a glorious goal in stoppages. A Celtic corner kick was cleared and he picked the ball up in his own half, charged past several defenders and the goalkeeper only for Sno to charge down the finish.

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Milan: Kalac; Cafu, Simic (Kaladze 30), Bonera, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo (Brocchi 74), Ambrosini; Kakà, Seedorf (Gourcuff 69); Inzaghi

Celtic: Boruc; Caldwell, Pressley, McManus, O’Dea; Hartley, McGeady, S Brown, Donati (Sno 70), Jarosik (Zurawski 78); McDonald (Vennegoor of Hesselink 65)

Ref: Ovrebo (Nor)

channel4.com - Football Italia

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Kaka wanted golden goal Tuesday 4 December, 2007

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Kaka admits his night would have been perfect if he had scored a goal after showing the Ballon d’Or to the fans at San Siro.

Having picked up the award from ‘France Football’ in Paris on Sunday morning, the Milan star paraded it at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza before kick-off in tonight’s 1-0 win over Celtic.

“It is true, I wanted a goal tonight. That clearly wasn’t meant to be. I tried my best, then the rest is out of my hands,” he told Sky Italia television.

He almost netted a fantastic strike, as he ran from his own half to waltz past a series of players only for Evander Sno to charge down the finish.

“The Ballon d’Or is a great responsibility for me and it is important to have that sense of responsibility within the squad,” he added.

The 25-year-old talent succeeds Fabio Cannavaro as Player of the Year, but does he fear the curse of the competition that sees winners have a rough season straight after their victory?

“I hope not! I just aim to keep on working hard to improve and win, always. I am grateful to Italian football and Milan, as they allowed me to achieve this award.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

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Ancelotti enjoys Celtic boost Tuesday 4 December, 2007

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Carlo Ancelotti praised Pippo Inzaghi’s record-breaking achievement and believes the win over Celtic is a good boost ahead of Milan’s Club World Cup campaign.

There was definitely a party atmosphere at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza this evening, as Kaka paraded his Ballon d’Or and Inzaghi surpassed Gerd Muller’s UEFA-recognised total with his 63rd goal.

“Inzaghi reached a great achievement tonight, proving he still has a lot of life left in him,” said Ancelotti.

The 1-0 victory over Celtic also allowed the Rossoneri to win their Champions League group, which will make them seeds in the knockout draw and give them the second leg on home turf.

“Today we played a relatively tranquil first half, but we stepped on the gas in the second. We have many objectives this season and it was important to top the group so we’d reach the next round with the right credentials. It is also a good boost for the Club World Cup.”

Milan travel to Japan tomorrow for the tournament – previously known as the Intercontinental Cup – and they will enter from the semi-final stage on December 13.

“The European clubs have always struggled in Japan and we lost last time we were there,” mused Ancelotti.

“It is a great shop window for the South American sides and they seem to give a little bit extra. We have to prepare for this as we would a World Cup Final.”

The last time the Rossoneri entered the contest they were defeated by Boca Juniors and the Argentines are likely to be in the Final again this month.

“Boca are a young side with the South American spirit. They have a mean defence and everyone knows Martin Palermo’s qualities in attack.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

I am glad we rapped up our last game with a win and at home though obviously our C.L home games have been good. Anyway I am exstatic for Pippo, it is a great honour to even equal Gert Mullers record but to break it is fantastic. Well Done Pippo! Now it's off to Japan

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Game highlights:

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