|
|
January 26, 2012 7:45 PM GMT
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — Milano
Referee: A. Gervasoni
Attendance: 1920
Player Ratings: AC Milan 3-1 Lazio
The Rossoneri advanced to a semi-final double-header with Juventus with a come-from-behind win against the Biancocelesti
By Kris Voakes at San Siro
Could have done more than just get a glove to Cisse’s early strike, but then pulled off a fantastic save from Gonzalez’s header to keep his side ahead before diving well to keep out Hernanes’ free-kick.
Seemed to be a step behind the play defensively to begin with, and he didn’t have the most convincing of approaches in his attempts to stop Lulic. But it was his cross which led to the equaliser for Milan, and he was more assured after the break.
Was cool, calm and collected for the most part, particularly in a couple of moments when team-mates left him covering their sloppiness. Added a real sense of solidity which they have often lacked when without Nesta and Thiago Silva.
Did nothing to read the run of Cisse as the Frenchman put Lazio ahead in the first five minutes, but did little wrong thereafter as he cleared well whenever asked questions.
Provided a steadying influence on the left, and showed his good crossing ability when he got forward, but he was rarely troubled as a defender with Konko having been pushed back by the drifting Seedorf for much of the match.
His neat header sent in Robinho for the equaliser to Cisse’s opener, but then he should have got a touch to Seedorf’s cross when he streaked clear of the Lazio backline. Seemed to twist his knee as he turned on the less than perfect turf and was replaced by Ibrahimovic.
Showed a real thirst for involvement in the cut and thrust in the centre, particularly after a run-in with Matuzalem in the opening quarter. He then got on the wrong end of Dias’ right hook, but was a driving force in midfield.
Put Mexes under pressure with a wayward header, but it was a rare error as he turned in another display of force, willing and awareness.
Struck a wicked winner through the grasp of Marchetti with real force after skipping past Dias, then set up two more great chances for further goals before making way for Emanuelson.
His delightful flicked touch sent Seedorf into the space from which he put Milan 2-1 up, but he proved a little too light at times when faced with Diakite and Konko. His execution was magnificent when he steered a dropping flick just over the bar, but then he was unfortunate when his toe-poke on the stretch trickled just wide.
May have been better advised to shoot when he tried to find Seedorf after a neat combination had sent Milan on the counter. Minutes later he buried his chance from Merkel’s flick header to level the scores, and then came close again at 2-1 when going around Marchetti, but failed to get his shot on target.
Came on for Seedorf with 16 minutes remaining.
Late replacement for Robinho.
Replaced the stricken Merkel for the last 20 minutes, yet it was still long enough for him to get on the scoresheet, just about springing the offside trap before slotting coolly past Marchetti.
Could do little about Robinho’s close-range strike, but may well believe he should have done better with Seedorf’s fizzer above his head. Left exposed by his defence for the third.
Was completely outfoxed as Robinho stole in behind and almost added a third goal for Milan, having already looked a little off the pace mentally. Replaced by Ledesma at the break as Lazio changed shape.
Was too slow in reading balls at times, allowing El Shaarawy to steal in ahead of him more than once. Brought the ball well on occasion, but looked flustered after Ibrahimovic’s introduction.
Made a couple of important interventions to keep Lazio in the game, both in the air and covering the ground, but he’ll surely face a ban for his ridiculous moment of madness when he floored Van Bommel.
Wasted a great opportunity when side-footing straight into the arms of Amelia with Gonzalez free in the centre, but as a presence on the right he fulfilled much of the work asked of him and proved a difficult barrier for El Shaarawy at times.
His superb centre from the right picked out Cisse for the goal which shocked Milan early on, then his header brought a wonderful save out of Amelia, but he faded after the break when Lazio went for a narrow midfield.
Presented his usual dynamism and passing range, while also showing Van Bommel he meant business during his spell in the middle before the break, but had less chance to stamp an impression when shifted to the left of a three in the second half.
Wasted a couple of good chances to find advancing team-mates in the opening stages, but then delivered a fantastic cross for Gonzalez to test Amelia from close range. Looked a real threat up against Abate, but then he was switched to left-back and had less of a say in proceedings.
Was a pale imitation of himself in the opening half, with a free-kick blast high and wide doing little more than remind the crowd he was still on the pitch. His next set-piece was much more convincing, bringing an excellent save from Amelia, but he was similarly quiet after the break.
Ghosted into a huge space to ram the ball home in the fifth minute, although he gave Amelia half a chance to stop it. Later had a great chance to volley home an equaliser, but almost found the corner flag. Delivered a better effort when testing the keeper from distance with a powerful drive.
Failed to do much to test the Milan defence barring a couple of early angled runs which had them guessing. Substituted by Klose for the final half-hour.
Came on at the break but was unable to change the game quite as Edy Reja will have hoped as Milan covered well in the centre of midfield.
Replaced Matuzalem for the last 13 minutes.
Thrown on for the underperforming Rocchi, but was given little service in the search for an equaliser.
| Tournament | |
| Position | |
| Ranking |
| Rank/Player | Position | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Mirko Vučinić | Striker | Juventus | 6.67 |
| 2. Alessandro Del Piero | Striker | Juventus | 6.63 |
| 3. Andrea Barzagli | Defender | Juventus | 6.50 |
| 4. Giorgio Chiellini | Defender | Juventus | 6.50 |
| 5. Philippe Mexes | Defender | AC Milan | 6.50 |
| 6. Robinho | Striker | AC Milan | 6.50 |
| 7. Andrea Pirlo | Midfielder | Juventus | 6.38 |
| 8. Stephan El Shaarawy | Midfielder | AC Milan | 6.38 |
| 9. Antonio Nocerino | Midfielder | AC Milan | 6.33 |
| 10. Stephan Lichtsteiner | Defender | Juventus | 6.33 |
| 11. Martín Cáceres | Defender | Juventus | 6.33 |
| 12. Zlatan Ibrahimovic | Striker | AC Milan | 6.17 |
| 13. Daniele Bonera | Defender | AC Milan | 6.17 |
| 14. Emanuele Giaccherini | Midfielder | Juventus | 6.17 |
| 15. Marcelo Alejandro Estigarribia | Midfielder | Juventus | 6.17 |
| 16. Marco Storari | Goalkeeper | Juventus | 6.13 |
| 17. Leonardo Bonucci | Defender | Juventus | 5.88 |
| 18. Marco Amelia | Goalkeeper | AC Milan | 5.88 |
| 19. Clarence Seedorf | Midfielder | AC Milan | 5.83 |
| 20. Marco Borriello | Striker | Juventus | 5.38 |
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Edinson Cavani
Striker Napoli |
5 | 2 |
|
|
Josip Iličič
Midfielder Palermo |
3 | 2 |
|
|
Maxi López
Striker Catania |
3 | 0 |
|
|
Alessio Cerci
Striker Fiorentina |
3 | 0 |
|
|
Riccardo Meggiorini
Striker Novara |
3 | 0 |

