Sports

Published: Wednesday September 16, 2009 MYT 7:03:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday September 16, 2009 MYT 10:11:12 AM

Inzaghi double gives Milan a 2-1 win at Marseille

MARSEILLE, France (AP) - Filippo Inzaghi's double gave AC Milan a 2-1 victory over Marseille on Tuesday in the first round of the Champions League group stage, allowing his team to bounce back following a disappointing start to the season.

Inzaghi opened the scoring in the 28th minute when he beat goalkeeper Steve Mandanda with a clinical finish from close range.

Marseille equalized just after the interval when Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze headed home in the 49th.

AC Milan's Filippo Inzaghi of Italy, left, challenges for the ball with Marseille's Gabriel Heinze of Argentina during their UEFA Champions League group C soccer match in Marseille stadium, southern France.-AP

After missing last year's tournament, seven-time champion Milan went ahead against the run of the play in the 74th minute when Inzaghi latched onto Clarence Seedorf's chipped cross to beat Mandanda from six meters (yards).

"Tonight we saw the difference between a good French league team and a very big team in Europe," Marseille defender Souleymane Diawara said.

Milan opened the Serie A season with a win, but then lost to Inter Milan 4-0 before being held to a 0-0 draw at Livorno last weekend.

"The Champions League has a different taste, the motivation is not the same," said assistant coach Mauro Tassotti, who spoke to journalists in place of Leonardo after the Milan coach lost his voice.

"After the game against Livorno, the players wanted to improve," Tassotti said. "They did it tonight against a big team. We are finding our confidence again, this is the path to follow."

As expected, Leonardo decided to bench out-of-form Ronaldinho and start with former Netherlands midfielder Seedorf behind strikers Alexandre Pato and Inzaghi.

Seedorf justified his selection with two assists for Inzaghi.

AC Milan Goalkeeper Marco Storari of Italy is seen in action during their UEFA Champions League group C soccer match against Marseille in Marseille stadium, southern France.-AP

"Even if we managed to put on a good display, especially in the second half, only the result matters," said Marseille coach Didier Deschamps, who captained the French team when it won the Champions League over Milan in 1993. "And to start with a home defeat is the worst result for us. Small details made the difference tonight, but that how it works in the Champions League."

In the other group game, Real Madrid beat FC Zurich 5-2. The Spanish powerhouse will next host Marseille on Sept. 30.

"Even if we only have one chance to qualify, we will play it totally," Deschamps said.

After a good opening spell, Marseille created its first chance in the fifth minute when captain Mamadou Niang sped down the right flank and crossed the ball but Benoit Cheyrou missed his header.

Milan almost scored five minutes later from a corner when Brandao's bad clearance in the box allowed Inzaghi to try his luck, but defender Charles Kabore cleared the ball on the line.

Under heavy rain, Marseille midfielder Cheyrou then served up a perfect ball through Milan's defense to Niang, whose shot went wide in the 13th.

Marseille continued to exert pressure in midfield, and Niang had another good chance when his shot from the right side of the box was deflected for a corner by Mathieu Flamini.

Following a one-two between Pato and Seedorf that beat the Marseille defense, Milan took the lead in the 28th minute with Inzaghi's 67th goal in European competitions.

Seedorf's cross from the left found Inzaghi in the box and the Italian veteran easily slotted home past France goalkeeper Mandanda.

Marseille had a chance to equalize just before halftime but Milan goalkeeper Marco Storari denied Cheyrou's powerful shot from the edge with a beautiful save.

Marseille playmaker Lucho Gonzalez fired a volley just wide of the post in the 47th minute before Heinze took advantage of Milan's bad clearance to head the ball home through the legs of Storari in the 49th.

Marseille, which had never lost to Milan in three previous encounters, gradually got a grip on the game but was unable to convert its numerous chances and Milan hit the lead in the 78th when Inzaghi converted another superb cross from Seedorf.

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story

Sports Poll