TIME MACHINE: INZAGHI IN DORTMUND v AC MILAN

Champions League, group stages. AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund take each other on for the first time in 21 years. Before the double-header, the first match taking place on Wednesday 4 October, the teams met in the 2002/03 edition of the competition, ending in victory for Ancelotti's team at the time. The match was part of the second group stage, in Group C with Real Madrid and Lokomotiv Moscow. The Rossoneri faced the Germans off the back of a narrow victory over Real Madrid at San Siro two weeks prior. 

It was a chilly evening in Dortmund, but AC Milan warmed up early on with an interesting chance that fell right on the penalty spot. The play started at the feet of Andrea Pirlo and ended with a left-footed volley from outside the box by Kaladze. The Georgian completed the back 4 with Maldini, Nesta and Šimic in a 4-3-1-2 with an Ambrosini-Pirlo-Seedorf midfield three and Rui Costa supporting Shevchenko and Inzaghi in attack. In the remainder of a low-tempo first half, Rosický had an unthreatening attempt for Dortmund, whilst Swedish referee Frisk refused to blow the whistle for a contact in the box between Wörns and Inzaghi. 

The deadlock was broken almost immediately after the restart. It was in the fourth minute of the half when a through ball from Seedorf found Inzaghi's excellent run in behind. Having beaten the offside trap, Inzaghi beat Lehmann as he approached with a left-footed shot. It was SuperPippo's 9th goal, preliminary rounds included, in that edition of the Champions League, a personal record in his career. The goal shook the hosts' confidence, who had two chances with Metzelder and then substitute Ricken, neither troubled Dida. After a couple of Rossoneri touches from substitutes Serginho and Rivaldo, a thrill came in the final minutes when Rosický hit the crossbar as Lehmann joined the attack. By the final whistle, however, it was 1-0 AC Milan: three points that would prove golden on the way to Manchester. 

The AC Milan PUMA Kits for 2023/24 are available: buy them now!