Serie A: Catania - Milan [27-3-08]

[Podolski]

I couldn't find a thread on this.. sorry if theres already one
75' 1-1 goals by Spinesi & PATO

[D-Kin]

FT 1-1.

Poor result for Milan.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 25 - 27/2/08 (19.30 UK)
Catania 1 - 1 Milan
Pato 55 (M), Spinesi 63 (C)
Stadio Massimino

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Alexandre Pato's opener was cancelled out in Catania, but the home side can complain at two disallowed goals.

The Sicilians had lost four on the trot, but had already defeated Milan over two legs on their way to the Coppa Italia semi-final earlier this season. Having said that, their last Serie A victory over the Rossoneri was in May 1963. Kaka was out with a knee injury and Andrea Pirlo rested.

Alexandre Pato was immediately dangerous, halted for a very tight offside position and a left-foot strike charged down. Silvestre just failed to get on the end of a set-piece at the back post.

Pato got down the right channel and sparked a promising move, but Clarence Seedorf's finish was deflected out for a corner by the desperate Mark Edusei with the goalkeeper sliding in.

Zeljko Kalac bravely plucked a Gennaro Sardo cross off Giuseppe Mascara's foot, causing pain to the little finger he dislocated just over a week ago.

Pato continued to test Ciro Polito from distance and Pippo Inzaghi nodded a Marcos Cafu cross just past the post.

In the second half Seedorf's free kick was too high to trouble Polito, while at the other end Martinez failed to make the most of a promising opportunity.

The disappointing match sprung to life thanks to 18-year-old Pato. He shook off three Catania players 25 metres out, then unleashed a right-foot snapshot that bounced just in front of Polito to slip into the far bottom corner of the net.

Inzaghi also scored on 62 minutes, but it was correctly disallowed for an offside position.

It proved decisive, as moments later substitute Gionatha Spinesi equalised for Cataia, springing the offside trap to nod in a Vargas cross from the left. Spinesi had only been on the field for four minutes and was surprisingly out of the starting XI after coming under pressure from fans for missing a penalty last week.

Catania hit the back of the net again soon after, but it was disallowed for Silvestri's soft push on Daniele Bonera. Kalac blocked a Martinez header, as the Sicilians were now pouring forward.

The Elefanti had a second goal disallowed for a tight Colucci offside position, but Milan seemed to lose all momentum after Inzaghi's attempt was ruled out.

Polito got a scare from Pato late on, but neither side was able to get past the 1-1 scoreline.

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Catania: Polito; Sardo (Spinesi 59), Silvestri, Stovini, Silvestre, Varagas; Colucci, Edusei, Baiocco; Martinez (Alvarez 84), Mascara

Milan: Kalac; Cafu (Oddo 67), Bonera, Maldini, Favalli; Brocchi (Gattuso 79), Emerson, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Pato, Inzaghi (Gilardino 77)

Ref: De Marco

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Ancelotti: What a waste Wednesday 27 February, 2008

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Carlo Ancelotti realises Milan have missed a precious opportunity as the draw in Catania loses them fourth place.

The Rossoneri had only managed to catch Fiorentina at the weekend, but their 1-1 in Sicily and the Viola’s victory over Livorno sent the Tuscans two points clear.

“We wasted an opportunity here, as we took the lead and were unable to then secure an important result,” moaned Ancelotti.

“It’s a shame for the situation that came about. We allowed ourselves to be taken by surprise on their equaliser.”

Alexandre Pato had given the visitors the advantage with a splendid strike, but overall the team was disappointing without the injured Kaka and rested Andrea Pirlo.

“Pato scored a stunning goal, it was world class. As for the rest of our play, we cannot do any more at the moment. We have so many commitments and find it difficult to juggle them all. Some important players have got to rest.

“At this moment in time, the team is not particularly sharp, I’m afraid.”

That’s not reassuring ahead of the crunch Champions League match with Arsenal, as they must win to qualify considering the first leg at the Emirates Stadium ended goalless.

“Kaka got a knock and should be given more consideration by referees when he is consistently tackled from behind – the most dangerous type of foul.”

Yet Ancelotti also criticised the referee at the Stadio Massimino for coming down too hard.

“There were 48 free kicks tonight and eight bookings. It seemed a bit much, nobody had the chance to let play run.”

It is a morale-boosting result for Catania, who even with this point are hovering just above the relegation zone.

“It is an important result,” smiled Coach Silvio Baldini. “We had also played very well against Fiorentina, but tonight made up for our poor performance with Empoli.

“Gionatha Spinesi had a knee problem and after missing a penalty last Sunday his confidence was rock bottom. I am happy for him with this goal, he is a great striker.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[ReMad]

-

Seria A W25

Catania ( 17th , 24 pts ) vs Milan ( 5th , 42 pts )


Wednesday February 27, 2008 , 19:30 GMT

Angelo Massimino



Goals



First Goal for Milan by Pato 54
Click Here for Video



Draw Goal for Catania by Spinesi 64
Click Here for Video

[Trim]

It's weird man, Milan just keep on dropping points.

[Jager]

They are a puzzle really, I'm not really sure what it is, though lets face it. They are far from contention, they are still in the CL, and the motivation maybe not there.

Having said this, if they fail to get that final spot, everybody will turn on them.

Fans, media, ownership etc.....and it will get nasty.

Its actually surprising how the media doesn't dig into them or their fans.

CL success will do that.

[D-Kin]

Oddo: We're so tired Thursday 28 February, 2008

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Defender Massimo Oddo has blamed fatigue for Milan’s costly draw at Catania last night.

The Rossoneri have lost their grip on fourth place after losing a 1-0 lead at the Stadio Massimino and their ageing squad seems to be flagging.

Over the last two months, Milan have been forced to catch up the Serie A games they missed due to December’s Club World Cup and Oddo believes the fixture pile-up is taking its toll.

“We are all very tired,” the 31-year-old moaned. “We need to recover and we have had to play certain players who don’t always get a game.

“It’s not easy to play so little and then step up to the mark when you are called upon.

“The draw was the right result in Catania. Alexandre Pato scored a wonderful goal then they scored a really good goal on their first real chance.”

Oddo must now hope that Milan can pick up maximum points against his former side Lazio this weekend.

“The important thing now is to keep the pressure on fourth place and to do that we must win our next games,” he concluded.

channel4.com - Football Italia