MILAN 3-0 EMPOLI
04/03/2006
Milan kept up their chase at the top of the table, thanks to two goals from Filippo Inzaghi and one from Andriy Shevchenko. The Rossoneri were without the suspended Jaap Stam, while Shevchenko, Ricky Kakà, Andrea Pirlo, Serginho and Nelson Dida all started on the bench ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie against Bayern Munich. Milan dominated the early stages without creating any clear-cut chances. Manuel Rui Costa swept a left-foot shot wide of the frame of the goal after making space for himself inside the area and on 20 minutes, Inzaghi turned sharply on the edge of the box but could not keep his fierce left-footed drive down. Milan also had to be aware at the other end as two quick breaks from the visitors ended with the ball travelling right across the face of the goal. It was the unlikely source of Billy Costacurta who almost opened the scoring as the veteran joined the attack to get on the end of a Rui Costa through-ball, before curling in a cross-shot from the right which hit the far post.
Kakà came on at the start of the second half for Clarence Seedorf as Milan searched for a more attacking thrust to supplement their long periods of possession. Zeljko Kalac's goal remained secure as Empoli continued to play on the counter-attack although chances were few and far between at the other end. Ancelotti introduced Andrea Pirlo in place of Rui Costa on 50 minutes but once again it was a defender who came close to finding the breakthrough when Kakha Kaladze unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the area which was deflected behind for a corner. A measured passing move around the visitor's area ended with Inzaghi winning a free-kick, but Pirlo curled his free-kick over the bar. Dario Simic then joined the attack to crash a header against the bar from an unswinging Pirlo corner and Shevchenko had an immediate impact when the striker came on for Gilardino, curling a low shot just wide of the upright. However, it was Inzaghi who finally found the back of the net on 77 minutes, with a trademark turn in the area before hitting an unstoppable left-foot thunderbolt in off the crossbar. The lead was soon doubled, when on 81 minutes, Kakà's instant control created space on the edge of the area to release Shevchenko who slid the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. Inzagh's second goal had a touch of fortune about it when Shevchenko's low free-kick hit the striker's foot to send the goalkeeper the wrong way as the ball nestled in the far corner of the net.
Milan 3 - 0 Empoli
Goalscorers: Inzaghi 77, 87 (M), Shevchenko 81 (M)
Milan: Kalac; Simic, Costacurta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Vogel, Seedorf (Kaka 46); Rui Costa (Pirlo 55); Inzaghi, Gilardino (Shevchenko 69)
Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Pratali (Ascoli 73), Vanigli, Tosto; Buscè, Moro, Ficini, Almiron, Zanetti (Tavano 79); Riganò (Pozzi 78)
COSTACURTA: ‘I am happy with the shape I am in’
04/03/2006
MILAN - Billy Costacurta has played 13 times this season for 13 victories, not a bad average for a player who was celebrating his 450th appearance in Serie A today. He spoke to the Milan Channel after the win over Empoli: ‘I am happy with the shape I am in. The approach was typical after returning from international games. There has been little chance to relax and it is tiring to play a tactically-strong team like Empoli. It went well in the end.’ Regarding his future Billy added: ‘We’ll see what happens after the Champions League. I love this team and there's time to decide.’
JANKULOVSKI: 'Better understanding'
04/03/2006
MILAN - Marek Jankulovski commented on his performance against Empoli: ‘I am kind of tired after playing on Wednesday with my national side. We played a good game and I think that I am coming to a better understanding with my team-mates. Now, we are awaiting the game with Bayern. It won’t be easy and we certainly can’t make any mistakes.
