Ukrainian
Andriy Shevchenko (R) of Milan is challenged by Iranian
Rahman Rezaei of Perugia during an Italian Serie A soccer
match in Milan 10 February 2002
Sports.com - AC Milan
were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at the San Siro by
mid-table Perugia in a further blow to the Rossoneri's
hopes of closing in on the Serie A leaders.
The omens looked good for the home side with long-term
injury absentees Manuel Rui Costa and Massimo Ambrosini
back in the fold, but the latter's afternoon lasted just
30 minuets before he was stretchered off with a fresh
problem.
The home side started brightly and after Martin Laursen
had gone close with a header, Ambrosini was felled in the
box by Rahman Rezaei.
Brazilian wing-back Serginho stepped up and confidently
dispatched the spot-kick to open the scoring.
But 12 minutes later Ambrosini's afternoon turned sour
when he was carried off with an ankle injury in a massive
blow for Milan.
Zisis Vryzas and Fabio Bazzani both squandered clear-cut
chances before the interval for the visitors as Milan
held on.
But Carlo Ancelotti's men failed to heed the warning and
Perugia levelled the game straight after half time.
Bazzani stole into the penalty area unmarked to head home
in acres of space to the delight of the travelling
support.
Milan were handed a lifeline soon after when Davide
Baiocco was dismissed for a second bookable offence, but
with Oscar Cordoba in inspired form between the sticks,
Perugia held on to bag a point.
Sean Sogliano was dismissed in the dying seconds as
Perugia were reduced to nine men but by then the game was
over.
G 32. Cordoba - 7
D 6. Sogliano - 5 (Red card '89)
D 22. Di Loreto - 6
D 24. Rezaei - 6
D 2. Ze Maria - 7
M 8. Blasi - 5
M 44. Gatti - 6 --->
M 17. Baiocco - 5 (Red card '61)
M 11. Grosso - 6
F 9. Bazzani - 6 --->
F 15. Vryzas - 5
Subs:
Fusani(69) - 6
Milanese(89)
And for Milan:
G 18. Abbiati - 6
D 25. Roque Junior - 6
D 5. Costacurta - 6
D 24. Laursen - 6
M 10. Rui Costa - 5 --->
M 15. Donati - 5 --->
M 8. Gattuso - 6
M 23. Ambrosini --->
M 27. Serginho - 7
F 7. Shevchenko - 5
F 14. Jose Mari - 4