Milan progressed to the last eight of the Champions League following an empathic 4-1 win over Bayern Munich, with Filippo Inzaghi scoring twice while Andriy Shevchenko and Ricky Kakà added the other two. Carlo Ancelotti made seven changes from the side that defeated Empoli 3-0 in the Serie A game at the weekend, with Nelson Dida back between the posts, Jaap Stam and Serginho occupying the full-back roles while Alessandro Nesta returned to partner Kakha Kaladze in the centre of defence. Johann Vogel came in for the suspended Rino Gattuso to make up a midfield trio of Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf, leaving Ricky Kakà to offer support to the experienced attacking duo of Shevchenko and Inzaghi.
With so much at stake, it was no surprise that the early stages were cagey, with play compacted in midfield as both defences pushed up although Shevchenko and Kakà combined swiftly to release Serginho down the left flank and only a deflection stopped a pinpoint cross reaching Inzaghi inside the area. However, Serginho was soon given another opportunity and made no mistake when Martin Demichelis gave the ball away and the Brazilian's curling cross enabled Inzaghi to cushion a header into the corner of the net. Vogel then hit a firm shot just wide of the upright after Seedorf's corner was only half-cleared. An amazing two-minute period on 25 minutes started with Shevchenko missing a penalty after Inzaghi was fouled in the area by Ismael, but just sixty seconds later the Ukrainian made up for putting his spot-kick wide when he got in front of the defence to head home Stam's cross from the right. Bayern were given a way back into the tie in 35 minutes when Dida failed to hold Bastian Schweinsteiger's low free-kick from 25 metres and Isamel swept the loose ball into the net. Dida then turned hero just before the break, with a wonderful reflect save to keep out Ballack's goalbound header.
The second half got off to the best possible start for the Rossoneri when after just two minutes another tempting Serginho cross bounced-up and off Bixente Lizarazu into Inzaghi's path and the striker had the simple task of heading in from close range. A smart Dida save soon after from Claudio Pizarro's header ensured Milan maintained their two-goal advantage. Another defensive mix-up in the German defence allowed Shevchenko to pick out Seedorf inside the area but under pressure the Dutchman screwed his shot just wide. Kakà put the game beyond doubt on 59 minutes, with a swift break from the half-way line before dispatching a thunderous shot into the roof of the net past the sprawling goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. The was an air of desperation in the Bundesliga champion's play after that, with pass-after-pass going astray and when they did create a chance Dida was there to make a save. Inzaghi made way for Alberto Gilardino for the last fifteen minutes and was soon followed by Shevchenko, with Ambrosini returing to action for his second appearance in the competition this season. Milan were coasting through the final stages but Seedorf still found time to leave the defence trailing in his wake but Kahn did well to parry the final drive.
[source:
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