PSV Get Less Than They Deserve From Clinical Milan

AC Milan: Dida, Cafu, Maldini, Kaladze, Shevchenko, Gattuso, Crespo (Tomasson 64), Seedorf (Serginho 81), Pirlo (Ambrosini 72), Kaka, Stam. Subs Not Used: Abbiati, Costacurta, Inzaghi, Rui Costa. PSV: Gomes, Ooijer, Lee, Alex, Bouma (Lucius 46), Van Bommel, Park, Cocu, Beasley (Vennegoor of Hesselink 61), Vogel, Farfan. Subs Not Used: Zoetebier, Addo, Bogelund, Afellay, Sibon. Milan scored at the end of either half through Andriy Shevchenko and substitute Jon Dahl Tomasson to underline their clinical professionalism after the Dutch champions had stretched them persistently but failed to take any of a succession of chances they created. At the very least the tactically shrewd Guus Hiddink’s side deserved to take only a one-goal deficit into the return leg; a draw would not have flattered them But 2-0 was cruel after they’d had their illustrious hosts on the rack throughout the second half. But winning football matches is all about keeping clean sheets at one end and making the most of any opportunity carved out at the other. Carlo Ancelotti’s side again proved that they are masters of these arts. On 42 minutes, the thoroughbred Ukrainian Shevchenko raced clear onto Kaka’s through pass and buried a low drive beyond Gomes and into the back of the net. By then Jefferson Farfan had seen a long-range shot saved at the second attempt by Dida, then shot straight at the Brazilian keeper after being set free by Marc van Bommel. And after the break PSV took the game determinedly to Milan. Dida fumbled Young-Pyo Lee’s shot with Ji-Sung Park closing in, then Park missed another great chance on 54 minutes after van Bomnmel and Farlan linked up well. Shevchenko nearly made PSV pay, but his deft lob was well saved by Gomes. Van Bommel shot over when well placed, and Park nearly got on the end of Farfan’s cross before Van Bommel again tested Dida. But then in injury time, Tomasson seized on a loose ball after Kaka had played the ball in, and instinctively stabbed it past Gomes to double Milan’s advantage and PSV’s misery.