TIME MACHINE: SHEVCHENKO IN FIORENTINA v AC MILAN

Fiorentina and AC Milan haven't always faced off with the same objectives. However, we're talking about a match with numerous precedents - 180 in all competitions, 167 in Serie A alone - that has often delivered balanced, memorable, and goal-rich matches throughout history. Three goals were scored in the encounter played in Florence in the spring of 2005, where both teams entered following a much more emphatic 6-0 victory for Milan in the first leg. A contest, that of 30 April 2005, stamped by Andriy Shevchenko, and one we relive in our Time Machine.

On Matchday 34 at the Artemio Franchi, the two teams found themselves in diametrically opposite situations. Ancelotti's Rossoneri were engaged in a fierce battle for the top spot with Juventus - the two teams were tied on 73 points in the standings - while the newly promoted Viola, led by Zoff after brief interludes of Mondonico and Buso, found themselves in the penultimate position on par with Parma and Brescia. AC Milan came into the match buoyed by home wins against Chievo and Parma, and notably, the victory in the Champions League semifinal first leg against PSV, a 2-0 win courtesy of Shevchenko-Tomasson, the striking partnership leading the line in the league match. The game was evenly poised, and after a few chances for both sides, the hosts took the lead in the 25th minute through Maresca, quick to pounce on a fortunate deflection from Nesta in the six-yard box. Fiorentina pressed on, nearly doubling their lead before half-time with Pazzini. However, it was in the second half that the match took a turn.

The momentum shifted immediately, right after the teams returned from the break. Not even a minute into the second half, AC Milan equalized following a prolonged sequence of play that ended with Serginho's cross and Shevchenko's header, his 15th league goal of the season in a season that also saw him clinch the Ballon d'Or. A goal that turned the game around, as it took only 10 more minutes for AC Milan to make it 2-1. Another cross from the left, again from Serginho, with Sheva this time heading it home. A flick, more about precision than power, to crush the ball and make it unstoppable for Cejas in goal. Fiorentina tried to react, posing threats through Pazzini, Miccoli, and Chiellini, but their attempts didn't trouble Dida much. It was the Rossoneri who almost landed the knockout blow with a double attempt in quick succession from Cafu, but he couldn't beat the Viola goalkeeper. At the final whistle, it was 2-1 for AC Milan, allowing them to continue their charge towards the upper echelons of the table.

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