Two goals, two posts, other chances missed. It could have been a goalfest at the Massimino, but the objective has been reached: victory and good football also at Catania, where Milan hadn't won in 45 years.
A very determined and concentrated Milan side presented themselves at Catania to start the series of five final matches that should bring Milan finally back into the Champions League.
Milan confirmed the formation that played against Palermo, with the only exception being Mathieu Flamini, who was suspended, and who was replaced by Marek Jankulovski. Zambrotta returned on the right flank, while Clarence Seedorf supported Kaká and Inzaghi up front. Pato started from the bench, along with Ronaldinho. Also Daniele Bonera was available, who returned after his last appearence on 8 March, Milan-Atalanta 3-0.
Just before the start of the match a muscular problem seemed to force Kaká to forfait, but Ricky kept it together and played anyway. As for Catania, suspended coach Walter Zenga left his place to assistant coach Giuseppe Irrera, after choosing a starting 11 composed of Kosicky, Silvestri, Silvestre, Stovini, Capuano, Carboni, Biagianti, Izco, Mascara, Martinez and Morimoto.
It rained hard at the Massimino, the pitch was very slippery, on the stands the fans made a lot of noise, the referee was De Marco of Chiavari.
Aside from a lucky chance in the 7th minute, when Favalli tried to send the ball out and accidentally hit his own post, risking an incredible own goal, the home side let Milan play their football. Milan came close to scoring in the 11th minute, with a nice header by Maldini on a corner kick which was cleared by Izco on the goal line.
In the 27th minute Milan scored with Pippo Inzaghi: Kaká won the ball in midfield, served Inzaghi who controlled the ball and beat Kosicky with a right footed shot. For Superpippo it was the 13th goal in the league.
Soon later, in the 30th minute, Dida did well to dive low to keep out a shot from distance by Mascara after a counterattack move. In the 39th minute Catania claimed a penalty for an alleged handball by Favalli, but for De Marco it's involuntary. On the next move, a great one-two between Kaká-Pirlo, with Andrea playing it brilliantly on Kaká's head just in front of Kosicky, but this time Superpippo put it wide.
The first half finished 0-1. One change only during half time: for Catania, Tedesco takes Izco's place to give the home side more attacking influences. No substitutions for Milan.
It was the new entry who immediately gave Milan a scare after just a minute, with a long distance shot with his left foot that went just wide. Catania looked good and played the kind of football Walter Zenga likes to see, both against big and small teams.
But, unfortunately for them, the Rossazzurri's dreams of a comeback were dashed in the 7th minute of the second half: Ambrosini crossed it in, Beckham headed the ball, Kosicky couldn't hold on to it and it was too easy for Kaká to make it 2-0.
In the 17th minute there was another golden chance for Inzaghi, who sent the ball just wide from close range on a cross by Kaká. In the 21st minute Inzaghi did not have luck on his side as the post denied him a second goal. Just a minute later Milan hit the woodwork again. This time it was Kaká, who showed a great piece of skill to curl the ball with a right footed effort toward the far post, but the Catania goal said no. In the 29th minute there was the first change: Pato in, allowing him to celebrate his 50th appearence in Serie A, and man of the match Inzaghi out. Soon later Bonera made his return after almost two months of absence, coming in for Beckham, and the young Mattioni, who made his debut in the league, also came in for Kaká.
The final minutes saw Milan continuously in attack. It was a true assault on the Rossazzurri's area, but the match finished 0-2: a result that is too small for us, but which brings us ever closer to the Champions League.
