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    Milan lose last game before final

    Not much learnt to be honest but the XI who played included some who my play a part on Wednesday.

    AC Milan 2:3 Udinese - match report
    20.5 || webmaster

    Football Italia

    Scorers: Asamoah 10 (U), Gourcuff 36 (M), Di Natale 53 (U), Costacurta pen 57 (M), Barreto 61 (U)

    Billy Costacurta scored on his swansong, but Milan's reserves lost 3-2 to Udinese with their minds on Athens. There was a nice gesture at the final whistle, as all the players - including those in the stands - went on to the pitch wearing Costacurta's Number 5 jersey.

    These two sides had nothing left to play for in Serie A, so the Rossoneri fielded a reserve line-up ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League Final against Liverpool. It was a special event for Alessandro 'Billy' Costacurta, who played his final match before hanging up his boots at the age of 40 for a future as Milan's assistant manager. Udinese had to do without Vincenzo Iaquinta, Damiano Zenoni, Dias Felipe, Christian Obodo and the suspended Tomas Zapotocny.

    Ricardo Oliveira was given a rare start and showed why, as in the opening eight minutes he ran on to Costacurta's pass only to slip at the crucial moment clear on goal.

    Udinese took control, as Antonio Di Natale's screamer thumped the upright and Marco Storari did well to parry Marco Motta's follow-up.

    Moments later it was 1-0 for the visitors. From the resulting corner kick, Gyan Asamoah got ahead of Giuseppe Favalli to nod in.

    The Rossoneri fought back, bringing a fantastic save out of Morgan De Sanctis with Oliveira's fierce drive from distance. The move continued but neither Yoann Gourcuff nor Marco Borriello could finalise it.

    Former Messina goalkeeper Storari parried a D'Agostino free kick at the other end.

    Milan got their equaliser in chaotic circumstances. Ricardo Oliveira set up Borriello from the byline and although the Italian was closed down by defensive bodies, the ball rolled across for Gourcuff's tap-in. It was the French midfield talent's first Serie A goal.

    Cristian Zapata had a great chance to restore Udinese's lead, combining with Paulo Barreto to fire just across the face of goal, D'Agostino drilled wide and Storari beat away a Di Natale free kick that split the wall.

    After the break Sulley Ali Muntari did well to hook the ball back from the byline, but Asamoah couldn't get a touch with the goal gaping from six yards.

    It was a warning and Udinese scored moments later. Muntari found too much space in midfield as he surged forward. Although Storari beat away the shot, he could do nothing on Di Natale's follow-up.

    Oliveira's left-foot effort swung wide of the near post, but the referee pointed to the spot when Gourcuff made a meal of Dossena's push as he went to head a Serginho cross. Costacurta was urged to take the kick on his swansong and sent De Sanctis the wrong way. It was the last move of his playing career, as he received a standing ovation as he left the field.

    Oliveira again slipped when it might have been earlier to score and once again Milan were made to pay for the Brazilian's problems in front of goal. Barreto hooked down a long ball over the defence and flicked it past Storari from a tight angle.

    Siqueira fired over the bar at the end of a fast counter-attack and hit the back of the net later on, but the goal was disallowed for a push.

    Oliveira's header swung wide of the near post and De Sanctis palmed away a Gourcuff left-foot finish, but Milan did not seem particularly intent on getting back into it. Perhaps superstition had something to do with it - the last game before the Istanbul Final was a 3-3 draw at San Siro with Palermo.

    Milan: Storari; Bonera, Simic, Favalli (Darmian 67), Grimi (Guerci 76); Brocchi, Costacurta (Di Gennaro 59), Gourcuff, Serginho; Borriello, Oliveira

    Udinese: De Sanctis; Zapata, Coda, Natali, Dossena; Motta (Siqueira 51), D'Agostino, Muntari; Asamoah; Barreto (Sivok 67), Di Natale (De Martino 80)

    Ref: Gervasoni

    #2
    Looks like a reserve side to me Al.

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      #3
      I wonder how many bothered to turn up for that game

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        #4
        Perhaps superstition had something to do with it - the last game before the Istanbul Final was a 3-3 draw at San Siro with Palermo.

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