[KillerMax]

Milan won the Trofeo TIM on Thursday evening after defeating both Inter and Juventus in the annual three-team friendly tournament. The Rossoneri came from behind in both games to deservedly lift their first trophy of the season.

Milan 2-1 Inter
Goals: Cruz 19 (I), Favalli 32 (M), Borriello 36 (M)

Milan came from behind to win the opening Trofeo TIM tie by beating city rivals Inter 2-1. Two goals in four minutes from Giuseppe Favalli and Marco Borriello stunned the Italian champions who had looked in control of the game until the equaliser.

Inter started brightly and Alvaro Recoba looked in inspired mood with some sublime passing. And it was no coincidence that his pinpoint cross saw Cruz expertly chest the ball past Paolo Maldini – playing his first game in four months after injury – to fire superbly past Zeljko Kalac.

Yet the Nerazzurri paid the price for some slack finishing as Hernan Crespo and Cruz wasted some glorious chances, with the first even missing an open goal. Milan gradually came into the 45-minute match and made it 1-1 on 32 minutes. Clarence Seedorf opened up the Inter defence and Favalli slid the ball past Julio Cesar just months after making the city switch.

Milan won it in minute 36 through Borriello. The youngster, who was wanted by Livorno and Udinese this summer, turned his marker Marino in the box and his cross-shot struck the post before sneaking past the Brazilian shot-stopper. That win saw Milan move on to three points, leaving Inter on zero.

Inter 1-1 Juventus (3-4 on pens)
Goals: Del Piero 6 (J), Figo 26 (I)
Penalties: Cruz (I), Nedved (J), Adriano miss (I), Guzman (J), Figo (I), Brindelli miss (J), Maroufi (I), Zalayeta (J), Marino miss (I), Del Piero (J)

An impressive Alessandro Del Piero led Juventus to a penalty shoot-out victory over Inter in a heated Derby d’Italia. The captain, who pledged his future to the outfit despite demotion, gave his side the lead in the 1-1 draw before smashing home the decisive spot-kick.

Juve hit the front after just six minutes when the Italian rippled the net in some style. Del Piero’s thunderous 30-yard free-kick flew over the Nerazzurri wall and found the top corner of the net, despite Julio Cesar’s best efforts to keep it out.

Although only a friendly affair, the game saw numerous yellow cards as Inter struggled to break down a compact Turin side who looked dangerous on the break. They also threatened with a Marcelo Zalayeta header and an Alessandro Birindelli strike.

Yet Inter gradually got into the game and equalised through Luis Figo. The Portuguese ace collected a sublime Adriano assist to slot past Antonio Mirante. The Juve ‘keeper also had to be at his best to keep out Maicon with a truly outstanding stop, while he also denied an Alvaro Recoba rocket and an Adriano shot.

Juve ended the game with 10 men after Giuliano Giannichedda was sent off for two bookable offences, the second being intentional handball. Yet they still won 4-3 on penalties after the three missed efforts – two from Inter and one from Juve – all struck the bar. Juve netted two points as a result, Inter got one and subsequently finished bottom of the Trofeo TIM table.

Juventus 1-3 Milan
Goals: Zalayeta 5 (J), Seedorf 26, 47 (M), Kaka pen 37 (M)

Milan secured the sixth edition of the Trofeo TIM by defeating Juventus 3-1 in the last tie of the night. Although they again went behind, the home side hit back with Clarence Seedorf and Kaka to net a victory they desperately wanted.

Juventus hit the front early as they did in their first match. Zalayeta broke the offside trap, thanks to a Daniele Bonera positional error, and the Uruguayan ran in on goal to fire past Valerio Fiori in the Milan goal.

Despite Juventus’ youthful look, as Pavel Nedved and Alex Del Piero started the game on the bench, they did show great maturity in the opening period as Milan struggled to create any serious threat. So much so that Milan’s first effort was an off target long range Cristian Brocchi drive.

The Old Lady threatened twice more with distance shots from Nedved and Marchisio, but Milan responded by striking the woodwork. Borriello found space in the area and his wicked left-footed shot beat Emanuele Belardi in the Juve goal, but whacked the post.

They were a little more fortunate soon after when they did make it 1-1. Some super one-touch pass and move stuff from Milan around the box saw the ball fall to Seedorf, whose shot hit the underside of the bar and was adjudged to have crossed the line – even if some Geoff Hurst doubts remain…

Milan started to increase the pressure and take control of the tie. Although Del Piero did worry Fiori with a free kick, a second Rossoneri goal did look to be on the horizon and it came in the 37th minute. Kaka was brought down in the box by Birindelli and the Brazilian fired home the penalty himself. Seedorf then blasted in a third in injury time.

Final table:
Milan 6 points
Juventus 2 points
Inter 1 point

Football Italia

[han2503]

Milan triumph delights Ancelotti


Carlo Ancelotti says he’s delighted with Milan’s Trofeo TIM victory after defeating both Inter and Juventus on Thursday.

The Rossoneri won the sixth edition of the now annual summer friendly by coming from behind in both 45-minute matches, winning 2-1 against city rivals Inter and 3-1 over the Bianconeri.

“I believe tonight’s test was interesting,” said the Coach. “I think the team showed the right attitude and the will to do well and win which is always very important.”

Milan’s start to the season has been disrupted by injuries to key defenders, but he argues his rearguard problems are now simple headaches rather than migraines.

“I am not worried about our defence,” he commented. “Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta returned to action this evening.

“Kakha Kaladze is also recovering and should be available on Monday. We have plenty of defenders in our side.

“I know that some of our full-backs are not that young anymore, but our defence is very reliable. I think Maldini proved it tonight despite his four-month stop.”

Ancelotti was also left unsurprised with the fact that Giuseppe Favalli scored against Inter – just months after leaving the Nerazzurri for the other side of the San Siro.

“The player has only scored six or seven times in his career but I had told him he would net a goal,” smiled the Coach. “Scoring against a former club is a classic of this game.”

Milan will kick off their Serie A campaign at home to Lazio on September 10.

Link