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Inzaghi double helps Milan crush Bayern
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-09 09:17
They could have doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Bayern's French
defender Ismael was ruled to have pulled down Inzaghi and Russian referee
Valentin Ivanov pointed to the spot.
HARSH DECISION
It looked a harsh decision given that Inzaghi was backing into his marker and
the Germans will feel justice was done when Shevchenko side-footed the penalty
wide of Oliver Kahn's right-hand post.
Within a minute Shevchenko made amends as he met a Jaap Stam cross from the
byline with a perfectly angled header.
Bayern got back into the game 10 minutes later with a helping hand from
Milan's Brazilian keeper Dida.
From more than 30 metres out Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger fired a
free kick goalwards that Dida failed to hold and Ismael reacted quickly to drive
home the loose ball.
Bayern were now one goal from reaching the quarter-finals on the away goals
rule in the case of a 3-3 aggregate draw and they finished the half strongly
with Dida producing an excellent reflex save to keep out a Michael Ballack
header.
Two minutes after halftime, though, Milan restored their two-goal lead as
Ismael tried to clear a Serginho cross but instead screwed the ball to Inzaghi
who headed home from close range.
Brazilian midfielder Kaka put the game beyond Bayern on the hour by racing
goalwards, after a superb through pass from Shevchenko, and blasting confidently
past Kahn.
A Dida save from a close range effort by Claudio Pizarro was the last flicker
of Bayern's doomed challenge while Milan could have added to their tally but
Clarence Seedorf's shot after a fine solo run was well saved by Kahn.
Bayern coach Felix Magath took issue with some of the refereeing decisions.
"The first (Milan) goal was offside and there were several other decisions
against us that could be discussed," he said.
"When that happens against such a strong team as Milan, it's always going to
be very difficult.
"We had our chances to level the match at 2-2 but then they caught us off
guard with that goal early in the second half," he added.
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