TIME MACHINE: RUI COSTA IN AC MILAN v HAPOEL TEL AVIV

For the fifth time, AC Milan find themselves in the Quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup/Europa League. A stage of the competition from which the Rossoneri have progressed twice: once away, in 1971/72 against the Belgians of Lierse (1-1 in the return leg after a 2-0 win at San Siro), and most recently, 30 years later. While awaiting the return between Roma and AC Milan, let us revisit the aforementioned last time, dating back to the 2001/02 season: AC Milan v Hapoel Tel Aviv. A match decided by a significant figure of that Rossoneri era, Manuel Rui Costa.

Coming off a narrow 1-0 defeat on neutral ground in Nicosia, Cyprus, AC Milan looked to the return match buoyed by a good victory in the league against Torino (2-1, goals by Kaladze and Ambrosini), a result that had brought smiles back to the team taken over in the autumn by Carlo Ancelotti after two losses in Serie A to Inter and Bologna. The desire to progress in Europe was strong, to continue a journey that began in September in Belarus with the first round against BATĒ Borisov. CSKA Sofia, Sporting and Roda JC were the opponents overcome in subsequent rounds, often with the significant contribution of that Portuguese playmaker who arrived from Fiorentina in the summer. Rui Costa, in fact, had opened the scoring in the home matches against BATĒ and CSKA, despite a performance in the league marked by good displays but no goals.

Evening of 21 March, the first day of spring, the number 10 Rossoneri was ready to act as a playmaker in the 4-3-1-2 formation, behind the two strikers (Inzaghi-Simone) and ahead of the midfield line formed by Ambrosini-Albertini-Gattuso. Manuel needed only 5 minutes to ensure there wasn't a two without three in the UEFA Cup. Indeed, Rui Costa took many minutes to also unlock the score of the match against Hapoel with an unstoppable free-kick from the edge of the box for the visiting goalkeeper Elimelech. Rui Costa then had a hand - or rather, his right foot - in the 2-0 goal, effectively deciding the tie. A cross from the right just before half-time, aimed towards Inzaghi in the centre of the box. However, it was Israeli captain Gershon who got there first, heading past his own goalkeeper. Own goal, direct confrontation overturned, and progression secured after managing the second half.

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