coppa italia : Pato 2 sampdoria 0

Sampdoria: Da Costa; Volta, Accardi, Zauri, Ziegler; Palombo, Poli (Tissone 65), Mannini (Koman 72), Guberti; Maccarone, Macheda

Milan: Roma; Yepes, Sokratis, Oddo, Antonini (Jankulovski 80); Van Bommel, Emanuelson, Thiago Silva; Merkel; Pato (Ibrahimovic 87), Robinho (Cassano 78)

The Rossoneri lined up in a 4-3-1-2, with 2 players making their Milan debut. Flavio Roma continued in goal, whilst Massimo Oddo and Sorkratis Papastathopoulos came in alongside Yepes and Antonini. In midfield, Thiago Silva continued in the anchoring role, whilst Urby Emmanuelson made his debut at the left of the middle 3, with Van Bommel making his debut alongside him. The front 3 consisted of youngster Alexander Merkel, Robinho, and Pato – meaning a well earned rest for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Milan’s first chance of the game fell to Alexander Merkel. After some wonderful play from new signing Urby Emmanuelson – playing a 1-2 with Robinho – the dutchman managed to find Alexander Merkel with a wonderful layoff, however, Merkel’s shot was pulled slightly wide as he opened up too much whilst taking the shot. An early warning sign for Sampdoria just 5 minutes in, though after all the excellent build up play, the shot was a bit of a let off.


Within 2 minutes, Robinho had the ball in the back of the net, but his goal was ruled out. After a volleyed attempt from Urby Emmanuelson, and a deflection off a Samdoria defender, the ball flew high up in to the air, and as it fell, Robinho latched on to it perfectly, volleying it cinlincally in to the bottom corner of the goal, just inside Da Costa’s far post. It was not to be though, the brazilian was standing in an offside position when the shot was taken, and the goal was correctly ruled out as a result.

Wih a quarter of an hour gone, Milan took the lead. The corner from Robino was played short to Emmanuelson, but the dutchman gave it back to Robinho, who volleyed it in to the box. After a bounce (which Sampdoria failed to cut out) Thiago Silva went up and challenged for the ball, and he managed to flick it on for Alexandre Pato, who volleyed it in to the bottom right corner with a stunning finish to cap off a well worked goal! The lead was a deserved one, Milan were looking fairly comfortable and the attack seemed fluid.

5 minutes later and The Rossoneri doubled their lead! Urby Emmanuelson did well to pick out Pato, but the real magic was yet to come. Receiving the ball from Emmanuelson, Pato managed to bring the ball forward, and use a bit of skill to nutmeg Accardi to get past him, before taking an extra touch or two and emphatically blasting the ball in to the back of the net! A stunning goal, and another sign of Milan’s domination, Pato was really enjoying himself out there!

Sampdoria’s first decent effort of the game from Kiko Macheda (on loan from Manchester United) the 19 year old Italian received the ball around 20 yards out, and powered a shot goalwards, but Roma managed to tip it over the bar relatively trouble free, and the pass to Macheda was slightly behind him making it more difficult, espcially with Papastathopoulos coming to pressurise him from the edge of the box.

The lead was almost cut down to 1 once again shortly after. Picking the ball up on the edge of the box, Macheda ran at the Milan defence, and managed to get a shot out quickly. As a result of it travelling low and fast, Roma only saw the ball late, but despite Macheda’s effort beating him – the Italian’s shot was not on target, going narrowly wide to keep Milan 2 goals ahead with 35 minutes on the clock.

Milan were pressing well all over the filed but it was Sampdoria who came closest to scoring next. After good work from Macheda, Guberti was able to get a shot away, however, his effort was blocked by Mario Yepes. This didn’t stop Sampdoria though – as the ball dropped, Kiko Macheda headed the ball on, and Massimo Maccarone reached and took a shot, but Sokratis Papastathopoulos came in with an excellent block and clearence to deny Sampdoria a goal, good brave defending from the greek.

The Rossoneri had one or two half chances to extend their lead before half time, but Pato’s effort went wide, Robinho only just reached the return ball from Pato in a 1-2 (and so missed) and Alexander’s Merkel wasn’t struck with enough conviction. With 2 players making their debut, and a bit of an injury crisis, you’d be forgiven for thinking Milan would struggle against Sampdoria, but the Rossoneri ended the first half on top, with a deserved 2 goal lead thanks to some exellent goals from Alexandre Pato.

After a mixed start to the second half, Sampdoria scored just 5 minutes in to open up the time again. Massimo Maccarone managed to get by Sokratis Papastathopoulos (however, this took place on the left flank where Luca Antonini should have been convering, Sokratis was just filling in), and played the ball in to the box, where Guberti managed to head the ball past Flavio Roma – who had no chance of saving the header from such a close range – to halve Milan’s lead. It came as something of a shock to Milan given how comfortable the Rossoneri had looked, but Sampdoria crafted the goal well.

Sampdoria were taking charge now, and taking the game to Milan. With 58 minutes on the clock, Kiko Macheda went down in the box claiming a penalty, but the ref correctly ignored Sampdoria’s protests. Milan immediately went down the other end though, culminating in Robinho dribbling in and taking on defenders from the left – the brazilian did well to get his strike on target at the near post, but Da Costa managed to punch it out for a corner.

With 15 minutes to go, the impressive Urby Emmanuelson picked up a knock, however he managed to recover, and that meant moments later that Antonini would be subbed off for the return of Marek Jankulovski moments later. Meanwhile, Antonio Cassano was brought on to make his return to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, coming on for Robinho, still in search of his first goal in a Rossoneri shirt, despite playign well and picking up a few crucial assists in his time at the club already. Alexandre Pato was denied the chance of a hat trick after he was taken off with 5 minutes to go, as Ibrahimovic was brought on to close out the game (in fairness, Pato had been quiet second half)

Despite having a quarter of an hour and more momentum, Sampdoria couldn’t muster up an equaliser – even with the 5 minutes of added time. Cassano almost had a dream return to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, but his effort from 20 yards out was not struck cleanly, and then the game fizzled out, meaning Milan secured their place in the Semi Final against Palermo. In a fairly confident display, Milan were the better side overall, even if Sampdoria shaded the second half, Milan were much better in the first, and thanks to Pato’s 2 great goals, they had their progress to the next round to show for it.

Best Moment: Pato’s second goal

Man of the Match: Pato, simply for winning the game for Milan.

coppa italia : milan 3 bari 1

Milan Bari, Formazione Ufficiale/Official Line-up
MILAN: Roma; Oddo, Nesta, Yepes, Antonini; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Merkel; Robinho; Ibrahimovic, Cassano
BARI: Padelli; Raggi, Rossi, Glik, Parisi; Alvarez, Pulzetti, Donati, Romero; Kutuzov, Castillo.

As a result of injuries to Abbiati and Amelia – 36 year old Flavio Roma made his Milan debut, behind a bacl 4 of Oddo, Nesta, Yepes and Antonini. In midfield, Gattuso, Ambrosini and Merkel were the 3 behind Robinho – with Cassano and Ibrahimovic starting up front.

The opening 5 minutes showed that were Milan were up front, and the front 3 were linking up well – with Robinho and Cassano playing some excellent build up play involving a backheel from Robinho, And after yet another brilliantly executed flick from the brazilian, Alexander Merkel had a chance to test Padelli in the Bari goal. Ibrahimovic’s acrobatic effort forcing a decent save, but nothing came of the corner.

With a quarter of an hour gone, Antonio Cassano brought down the ball fantastically, and layed it off for Robinho – who fired hard and low across goal, but it was neither here nor there and went out for a goal kick. Moments later, Ibrahimovic shifted insite and fired it goalwards, only for Padelli to make the save once more – and the italian managed to hang on to the ball a fraction of a second before Robinho arrived, to ensure the score remained level.

With 20 minutes on the clock, Milan took the lead. Robinho’s good defensive running meant the brazilian picked up a loose ball from Alvarez – after Alexander forced him to play the ball by pressurizing him near the halfway line, before finding Ibrahimovic wide left. Ibra managaged to dribble in to the box, drop his shoulder to beat a defender by cutting inside, before curling his shot in to the far corner – another excellent finish from the swede.

A few minutes later, Milan’s lead was almost doubled, once again Robinho was instrumental. Robinho picked up the ball, shifted on to his right foor and fired a curling strike at goal. Once again Padelli was up to it, and dived well to keep it out. Flavio Roma’s debut was going smoothly too, he hadn’t been tested once by Bari, despite being 30 minutes in to the game! This spoke volumes about Bari’s seemingly toothless attack.

On the stroke of half time, Milan doubled their lead. After some nice link up play, Ibrahimovic played it wide to Massimo Oddo (who was playing very very well), and the Italian’s cross was met by the head of Cassano, though his header went past the post. However, Robinho picked up the ball, and calmly rolled it in to the path of young Alexander Merkel, who did well to slot the ball in to the back of the net, doubling the Rossoneri’s lead by getting his first goal for the club.

The half ended with a lot of action, as Bari should have pulled one back, however, Alvarez’s headed effort (from around the 6 yard line) somehow managed not to find the back of the net – instead, ending up high and in to the stands, when really, Bari should have pulled a goal back. That was very significant, because it meant – as a result of that miss – that Milan had a comfortable 2-0 lead to go back out to in the second half.

At half time, Massimiliano Allegri decided to take off Gennaro Gattuso – and bring Ignazio Abate on – playing in a right center midfield role (but running wide) probably because Gattuso had picked up a yellow card and might easily have picked up a second and gotten suspended.

5 Minutes in to the first half, and the ball was in the back of Milan’s net, but Bari did not get the goal – Nesta’s unfortunate own goal was ruled out for offside (the bari striker was still interfering with play) – this angered some Bari players, especially due to the fact that Robinho was seemingly offside in the build up to Merkel’s goal just before half time.

Milan were playing fantastic football and thanks to the 2 goal cushion, were perfectly in control. Robinho was working hard and linked up brilliantly with Cassano and Ibrahimovic, the trident were working together excellently in their first game together. Milan had 1 or 2 chances as a result, firstly with an Ibrahimovic backheel to Cassano (who was unfortunately offside) and also, Ibra’s outside of the foot pass to Robinho (who’s shot went narrowly wide – despite deserving a goal for his play)

Robinho ensured safe passage to the quarter finals for Milan with 65 minutes on the clock. Alexander merkel played a good through ball for Robinho (who’s movement was excellent to get in to the position he was in) – who controlled it, and hammered the ball hard and low in to the back of the net to make it 3-0. 3 goals up, Cassano was taken off for Andrea Pirlo, who was returning from a thigh strain sustained in December.

With 71 minutes on the clock, Alexandre Pato came off the bench, and he possibly had something to prove after seeing how well the other 3 forwards had done! Alexander Merkel picked up a slight knock, and so he made way for the Brazilin, but it was not a serious injury.

The next quarter of an hour went by surprisingly quickly – with little action. There was an injury scare, after Andrea Pirlo needed treatment on his knee after a collision just minutes after stepping on the pitch, and despite returning to the pitch, he was forced off the field as a result of that knock, a fairly big blow for the Rossoneri.

The game drew to a close in a fairly boring manner, Bari never really got going and offered little threat to Milan, the Rossoneri’s front 3 linked up exceptionally well and it’s no surprise the game fizzled out after those 3 were interrupted. Milan are comfortably through to the next round against Sampdoria, and the likes of Robinho and Merkel in particular shone – unfortunately, the latter and Andrea Pirlo picked up knocks in the process (more news to follow on those 2 injures)

Best Moment: Ibrahimovic’s goal

Man of the Match: Robinho (Merkel’s a close second, Cassano, Ibra and Oddo could all compete for the 3rd spot in terms of how well they did)


VIDEO MILAN VS BARI ,COPPA ITALIA januari 20, 2011

coppa italia: ac milan 2 novara 1 video hightlight

Mathieu Flamini earlier spared AC Milan's blushes by netting the winner nine minutes from time in a 2-1 last-16 victory over third tier Novara.

Striker Filippo Inzaghi, now 36 and often a substitute under manager Leonardo this season, had reminded Milan of his worth with a 12th-minute opener and other fine touches.

A second-string Milan side allowed Pablo Gonzalez to score just after the break but the hosts prevailed when Flamini's powerful strike set up a meeting with Udinese or Lumezzane, who play on Thursday.

Milan qualify for the Coppa Italia quarter finals beating Novara at San Siro thanks to goals by Inzaghi and Flamini. Pippo opened the score after 12 minutes. The visitors equalised with a great left-footed shot from distance by Gonzalez. Novara believed in it, pushed by the almost 10.000 visitors at San Siro, but a great shot toward the top corner of the net by Flamini gave the Rossoneri victory, allowing them to continue the series of consecutive positive results.

Coach Leonardo plays Storari between the posts, Bonera and the young De Vito on the wings with Kaladze and Favalli in the center. In midfield Flamini, Ambrosini and Jankulovski with Di Gennaro behind the strikers Inzaghi and Huntelaar. Available: Abbiati, Thiago Silva, Antonini, Abate, Gattuso, Verdi, Zigoni.
Here are the 11 chosen by Attilio Tesser: Fontana, Cossentino, Centurioni, Ludi (72' Lisuzzo), Gheller, Shala (83' Motta), Porcari, Tombesi (80' Juliano), Rigoni , Bertani, Gonzales. Available: Ujkani, Evola, Ledesma, Rubino.

Di Gennaro and Bonera made their season debuts. The Rossoneri defender returned on the pitch after ten months since Milan-Atalanta of 8 March 2009, when he was forced to leave the pitch 6 minutes before the end.

MATCH STATS:

MILAN-NOVARA 2-1

MILAN (4-3-1-2): Storari, Bonera (46' Abate), Kaladze, Favalli, De Vito, Flamini, Ambrosini, Jankulowski, Di Gennaro (67' Verdi), Inzaghi, Huntelaar. Available: Abbiati, Thiago Silva, Antonini, Gattuso, Zigoni. Coach: Leonardo
NOVARA (4-3-1-2): Fontana, Cossentino, Centurioni, Ludi (72' Lisuzzo), Gheller, Shala (83' Motta), Porcari, Tombesi (80' Juliano), Rigoni , Bertani, Gonzales. Available: Ujkani, Evola, Ledesma, Rubino. Coach: Tesser
REFEREE: Candussio
GOALSCORERS: 12' Inzaghi (M), 46' Gonzales (N), 81' Flamini (M)
BOOKED: Porcari (N)