TIME MACHINE: SHEVCHENKO IN AC MILAN v ROMA

Anything can happen in 90 minutes. Predictions can be thrown out of the window, and moments of form can interchange within the span of a single match. Over the years, AC Milan and Roma have engaged in numerous memorable and often surprising encounters, where the prevailing team has often been the more clinical and determined one within, indeed, 90 minutes, beyond what the league table or form might suggest. 

A prime example is the match on 21 January 2001, over 20 years ago. AC Milan only had two points from four matches and went into the game following a harsh defeat in Florence. On the other, Roma, meanwhile, led by the great ex, Fabio Capello, came into the match with only one loss, proving to be a tough opponent for the Rossoneri, who were the strongest team in Serie A. But, as already said, anything can happen in 90 minutes, especially when Andriy Shevchenko is on the pitch.

In his career, the Kyiv native has eight goals against the Giallorossi. Shevchenko’s decisive goals included the Scudetto-clinching goal in 2004 and also in the Coppa Italia in 2003; these goals made Roma one of Sheva’s “favourite victims”. The first two home goals by the Ukrainian in the AC Milan v Roma match aren't remembered for being decisive for a trophy in the Rossoneri's collection, but because they allowed the spectators at San Siro on that cold January night to experience a magical, unexpected, and special night. It proved that anything can happen within 90 minutes, with Roma having the best first half of a season up to that point ended with three brilliant AC Milan goals, a splendid left-footed free kick by Leonardo, and then Andriy's brace to follow.

First, in the 22^nd minute, a burst on the offside line to take advantage of Albertini's deep throw, to dribble past Lupatelli on the way out and then tuck it home into the net. Then, in the 44^th minute, after Totti had narrowed the AC Milan lead down to 2-1, Shevchenko made it 3-1: Serginho sent in a low cross from the left, Sheva timed it well and in the six-yard box outpaced the defender and goalkeeper to reignite San Siro. Totti's penalty towards the end would only serve to seal the final score in a match encapsulating the Ukrainian's excellent start to the season (reaching, that evening, his 13th league goal) and reassuring an environment shaken by an inconsistent run of results. The 2000/01 Serie A campaign would continue for the Rossoneri, with a rotation of managers and a few highs - however unforgettable – that would not change the unfortunate 6^th place finish. But that January night, permanently marked by Andriy Shevchenko, nevertheless is a moment that remains an important part of the memories associated with AC Milan v Roma.

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