AC Milan earn chance to salvage Italian pride in Champions League

Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 2 (Milan win 4-2 on aggregate)

AC Milan set up a Champions League semi-final against Manchester United after seeing off Bayern Munich with a professional performance at the Allianz Arena.

Victory in Bavaria, secured thanks to two goals in four first-half minutes, took Carlo Ancelotti’s side through after a 2-2 draw at the San Siro last week.

Clarence Seedorf put the visitors ahead after 27 minutes and Filippo Inzaghi sealed the win shortly afterwards.

Bayern fought right to the end but were unable to recover and will now focus on qualifying for the tournament next season, while Milan join England’s three representatives in the last four.

For the first 15 minutes, it was all Bayern.

Mark van Bommel found Christian Lell at the far post and his effort back across goal was cleared off the line by the covering Massimo Oddo.

Lukas Podolski then went close as he too found space beyond the last Milan defender, but his low driven shot was saved by the legs of Dida.

Sandwiched between those chances, Inzaghi was only inches away from reaching a sumptuous chip forward by Paolo Maldini, but the bounce of the ball favoured Bayern’s number one Oliver Kahn, who collected calmly.

That was Milan’s first chance, coming on the counter-attack, and another quick break led to the opening goal for Seedorf.

The Dutchman was looking for room to shoot on the edge of the area, and when he found it, he threaded a shot through the legs of Daniel van Buyten and past Kahn’s right arm into the bottom corner.

Seedorf then turned provider with an exquisite flick sending Inzaghi through and the experienced goal-getter fired over Kahn and into the net.

Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld’s reaction was to send Roque Santa Cruz on for Andreas Ottl at the start of the second half.

But the formula remained the same for the home side, who again started the brighter and had the first chance of the second half with Hasan Salihamidzic receiving the ball on the edge of the area.

The midfielder waited too long though when an immediate shot would have been the better solution and three white shirts crowded him out.

Another moment of indecision prevented the Bosnian from getting a telling touch to Lell’s cross minutes later as Oddo shepherded the ball out to safety at the far post.

Van Bommel took the bull by the horns and tried to alter the course of the game as he had against Real Madrid in the last round with a 30-yard shot whistling just wide of Dida’s post.

Bayern’s substitutes were adding a new dimension to the side and, when Andreas Gorlitz found Claudio Pizarro at the far post, it looked like they had found a way back into the game, but Dida snuffed out the danger from the Peruvian’s header.

There was not going to be a way back for Hitzfeld’s battlers, though, and Milan earned the chance to salvage some Italian pride against a Manchester United side which thrashed Roma 7-1 on Tuesday night.

more courts articles

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at court to face sex charges Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at court to face sex charges
Case against Jeffrey Donaldson to be heard in court Case against Jeffrey Donaldson to be heard in court
Defendant in Cobh murder case further remanded in custody Defendant in Cobh murder case further remanded in custody

More in this section

European Leagues General Assembly - London Premier League chief says Manchester City case will be resolved ‘in near future’
Jurgen Klopp says Arne Slot set for ‘best job in world’ if he joins Liverpool Jurgen Klopp says Arne Slot set for ‘best job in world’ if he joins Liverpool
Manchester City v Aston Villa - Premier League - Etihad Stadium Pep Guardiola urges Manchester City to remain focused for title run-in
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited