[han2503]

Ancelotti looks on bright side

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Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t restore Milan to winning ways, but he was happy with the performance at the Stadio Franchi.

“We played well and, due to our errors, went 2-1 down, but the team reacted well and was able to bring home a deserved point that boosts morale.”

The Rossoneri had opened the scoring after just four minutes with Alberto Gilardino, but needed the striker to complete his brace in the final minute to secure a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina.

“The lads approached the game in the right spirit. Our only mistake was the counter-attack on which Adrian Mutu scored. We are improving, though, and that is a good sign.”

Milan have won just one of their last eight Serie A games and could be left even further behind the European places at the end of this weekend.

The best news from this match was the return of Gilardino, who broke his goal drought with two strikes at the Stadio Franchi.

“It started well, then we ended up behind. Thankfully we managed to get a point out of it,” said the former Parma man.

“This shows that Milan are still alive and kicking. We really want to prove our worth and, in terms of character and determination, this is an important signal. At this moment in time, we need the little satisfactions to boost confidence.”

The next test is the midweek round against high-flying Catania, who are pushing for a place in the top four.

“We still have a lot of areas to improve in, but we hope to do well on Wednesday. There are another two games before the Christmas break, when we can rest and work hard over 10 days to hopefully return in good shape.”

[han2503]

Prandelli disappointed at Gila's late show

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Cesare Prandelli admits he’s disappointed at losing Fiorentina’s lead over Milan in the final minute.

“It was a great performance, while the Rossoneri were only ever dangerous from set-pieces. Nonetheless, we are left with our impressive spirit and an excellent Fiorentina show, even if I am very upset at this result.”

The Viola went 1-0 down after four minutes only to recover with Adrian Mutu’s brace, but Alberto Gilardino snatched a last-gasp equaliser in the 2-2 draw.

“I don’t feel as if I was defeated in this game, but to lose two points at the last minute in those circumstances is certainly disappointing.”

The decisive goal was a controversial one, as video footage shows Yoann Gourcuff’s corner kick was taken just outside the delimited area.

“It’s a detail that did not really change the game, as before that we had great chances to seal the points,” commented the Coach.

“Gilardino did well and all champions go through difficult times, but he has always given a lot to Milan. He could have waited another two days before rediscovering his scoring touch, then I would’ve been happier!”

Prandelli imagines that the psychological after-effects of this setback won’t damage their chances against Cagliari on Wednesday.

“All we need is one day of training to rediscover our confidence and desire. As for our objective this season, people outside the club can say what they want, but our only target is to pick up as many points as possible. To do that, we must always believe in the victory.”

[han2503]

Last gasp Gila saves Milan

late Alberto Gilardino equaliser saved Milan from defeat on Saturday as the Rossoneri drew 2-2 with Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The underfire striker headed his second of the evening in the last minute to give Milan a deserved point after Adrian Mutu had also scored twice in a thrilling clash between two of Serie A's underachieving heavyweights.

The Italy striker, who has had to endure heavy criticism as a result of the poor form which has blighted his season, put Milan ahead as early as on four minutes.

He latched onto Christian Brocchi's through ball ahead of Thomas Ujfalusi to fire past Sebastian Frey in the Viola net and notch a rare, and much-needed, goal.

Fiorentina hit back a quarter of an hour later after Kakha Kaladze was penalised for having handled in the box as he challenged for the ball with Luca Toni.

The referee pointed to the spot, and Adrian Mutu duly stepped up to fire past Zeljko Kalac, despite the Australian international having guessed the right way, to draw the hosts back on level terms.

Mutu also then bagged his second of the night, sending the home crowd into ecstasy as he sidefooted home a cross which had by-passed Toni at the near post.

But the Viola could not hang on to their lead, and Milan's late pressure finally told when Marek Jankulovski flicked on a Yoann Gourcuff corner in the 90th minute, allowing Gilardino to swoop and head past Frey.

Given the striker's recent form, his brace was a timely, if unlikely, reminder to his critics that he still has what it takes to succeed at Milan.

Gilardino looked lively during the first half, his goal clearly giving him the confidence to play his natural game, although his presence diminished gradually during the second period.

The first half was an evenly matched affair, with the action freely flowing from end to end in the blink of an eye.

Both Mutu and Gilardino had the opportunity to add to their personal tallies, but both were off target when chances fell to them and the teams headed in at the half locked at just a goal apiece.

The best chance of the second half fell to Toni, who saw a glancing header fly just wide of the far post on 66 minutes, with Kalac beaten all ends up.

Kalac then made a great save just minutes later to make amends for having spilled Marco Donadel's header, clawing the ball away to safety as Martin Jorgensen was closing in to fire home.

After Mutu's second went in, Milan began to dominate proceedings for the first time in the match, and the equaliser was merited, if only for sheer persistence.

A point each sees Milan retain their advantage of the Viola in the table, with the Rossoneri moving up a place into 14th spot and Fiorentina remaining in 16th.

[agenth]

they say gourcuffs corner was cheated ?!?!?

[redbabies]

I've got an impression that whenever Gila scores goal(s) for Milan against above-avarage teams, than they loose or draw.
Sampdoria last year (loose)
Inter this year (loose),
Cagliari this year (draw)
Fiorentina today (draw) ... and more which I cant remember.

[X-Offender]

they say gourcuffs corner was cheated ?!?!?

The decisive goal was a controversial one, as video footage shows Yoann Gourcuff’s corner kick was taken just outside the delimited area.

The ball was a bit out of the small quarter of the corner, nothing serious.

(IMG:http://www.carosi.freeserve.co.uk/corshamreferee/images/corner2.gif)

[Portman]

Gourcuff must be on the first 11. Turtle out please.

[KillerMax]

Gourcuff must be on the first 11. Turtle out please.

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

[arivanjj]

Adriano Galliani and Carlo Ancelotti took plenty of positives from the draw at Fiorentina.

The chief executive said: 'This is definitely a positive point especially from a psychological point of view. This result keeps Fiorentina behind us in the chase for fourth place. We have seen Gilardino back to his best, he's scored three goals in the last two away games. The glass is half full. We are starting to get players fit again, such as Gattuso and Kaladze, even if they haven't trained much just like Kakà. It's normal to suffer a bit but I saw various positives this evening. It seemed the right result, we take something from it and it helps morale.'

A comment on the Champions League draw: 'After Deportivo, I don't talk about the draws anymore. We were knocked out by Depo after eliminating top sides like Manchester United and Bayern. We have Celtic now and we hope to get to the quarter-finals.'

Carlo Ancelotti then added: 'This is an important draw in terms of the way we approached the game, it looked like another defeat was on the way but the team kept at it well. The point is more important for morale than for the league position. We really deserved it. We made a terrible mistake for Mutu's second goal but I don't have to comment on that. However, we bounced back well and even when the Viola took the lead we didn't give much away, we played quite brightly if not spectacularly and we did what we had to do.'

unbelievable.. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[Bluesummers]

unbelievable.. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

No kidding, how can you say that was a good match. Carlo has lost it forsure. The problem with this team is everyone who is a regular knows they have a permanent spot on the team. Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf for example. We should buy some players and give these guys a challenge for the f11 position. I liked it when gila and inzaghi had to fight to be playing beside sheva. I dont mean to be dissing on piro/gat/dorf, but seriously guys wake up. How does pirlo go from best set piece taker to someone who looks like they've never even taken a corner. anyways my 2cents feel free to flame

[arivanjj]

No kidding, how can you say that was a good match.  Carlo has lost it forsure.  The problem with this team is everyone who is a regular knows they have a permanent spot on the team.  Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf for example.  We should buy some players and give these guys a challenge for the f11 position.  I liked it when gila and inzaghi had to fight to be playing beside sheva.  I dont mean to be dissing on piro/gat/dorf, but seriously guys wake up.  How does pirlo go from best set piece taker to someone who looks like they've never even taken a corner. anyways my 2cents feel free to flame

i couldn't agree with you more.. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[han2503]

they say gourcuffs corner was cheated ?!?!?

It was just a bit outside the line, nothing that would have changed anything, just people trying to find a needle in the hay stack.
And how come they don't mention how dubius the penalty given to viola was? The ball bounced up and at SCRAPED against Kala's fingerTIPS. On most occasions that wouldn't have been given (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

I've got an impression that whenever Gila scores goal(s) for Milan against above-avarage teams, than they loose or draw.
Sampdoria last year (loose)
Inter this year (loose),
Cagliari this year (draw)
Fiorentina today (draw) ... and more which I cant remember.

Come on now. The guy is regaining his for and instead of people finally giving him the credit he deserves they try to find the negatives in the situation. Why don't we just blame these past couple of draws on the fact that our defence keeps screwing up and the refs aren't helping either with giving dubious penalties