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Beckham brilliance moves Milan up
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-03 11:12 ROME -- David Beckham created two goals as AC Milan thrashed Lazio 3-0 at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Sunday to move into second place in Serie A. The victory allowed Milan to cut Inter Milan's lead at the top to six points after their bitter city rivals were held to a 1-1 draw at home to lowly Torino.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said the difference between the two teams was merely quality. "Lazio had a lot of pressure and maybe the only thing they lacked was a clinical finish but we held onto the ball well," he said. "We're still in the title race but we're playing catch up and Inter are still the favorites. "Things are going well for us, we're trying to be more clinical. There's no let up and we're looking forward with confidence." The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder has also scored twice and such has been his influence that he has been included in the 25-man squad for the UEFA Cup knockout stages, even though he will only be able to play in the next round if he does return to the United States on March 9 as anticipated. "We've put him on the UEFA list because we have a contract and he's doing very well," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti. "I want to pick him for the two matches against Werder Bremen." Vice-president Adriano Galliani has also been singing Beckham's praises.
"When he first came to us I thought he would do well but I never thought to such a degree. "It would be terrible to lose him so we'll make little overtures to try to keep hold of him and then our fans can have a great party when Beckham stays." After Juventus' shock 3-2 home defeat to Cagliari on Saturday, Inter could have gone nine points clear with victory but they missed a glut of chances. Coach Jose Mourinho was not pleased with the dropped points but praised Torino for their fighting spirit. "I never like drawing at home but I accept it. We created many chances. Torino defended for their lives and I prefer to talk about the team that played the game of their lives." Inter endured a frustrating first 45 minutes as they struggled to break down stubborn opponents. They only had one clear sight of goal when Julio Cruz brought a fine save out of Matteo Sereni on 35 minutes from a firm header. "If we had started as we finished the game it would have finished differently. We had a great reaction, in the last 15 minutes we did everything to win," added Mourinho. Mourinho's team fell behind on 47 minutes when Davide Santon failed to close down Blerim Dzemaili on Torino's right. The Swiss midfielder crossed into the box where Ivan Cordoba was left flat-footed and former Manchester City forward Rolando Bianchi arched backwards and steered a header past Julio Cesar. On 38 minutes, Sereni was at fault as he failed to reach a corner, allowing Nicolas Burdisso to head home from little more than six yards out. The hosts hit the post twice late on through Hernan Crespo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic but failed to muster a winner. Genoa tightened their grip on fourth and the final Champions League qualifying place as Domenico Criscito scored two minutes from time to give them a 1-0 home win over Palermo. AS Roma's charge up the table was blunted at Reggina despite a brace from Chile midfielder Claudio Pizarro as they were held to a 2-2 draw. It was only the third time in their last 12 matches they had failed to win and leaves them three points behind Genoa. AFP |
