By Anna Italia
Covering the UEFA Cup from an Italian Perspective

                                 62% Ball Possession Milan and 38% Ball Possession Wolfsburg
                                             AC Milan 2nd Position of Group E with 8 points
                AC Milan 2 - 2 Wolfsburg
                                       16' Massimo Ambrosini            55' Cristian Zaccardo
                                       56'  Alexandre Pato                 80' Mahir Saglik

                      


Substitutions:   9' P. Senderos out, Kakha Kaladze in          38' Christian Gentner out, J. Krzynowek in
                       46' Andrea Pirlo out, Pato in                         75' Makoto Hasebe out, Mahir Saglik in
                                                                                        84' Z. Misimovic out, Rodrigo Alvim in

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Here is the situation:

While Wolfsburg is the leader of Group Stage E with 9 points, Milan has the obligation to win at home and secure the first position by reaching 10 points.  A draw will not help Milan. A victory is a must and playing at home it is more than obligation for Milan to win.

2008 -  2009 UEFA Cup Group Stage E As of December 17, 2008	Played	Points
Wolfsburg	4	10
AC Milan	4	8
Braga	4	6
Portsmouth	4	4
Heerenveen	4	0

Guys an interesting detail is that Coach Ancelotti and Wolfsburg Coach Felix Magath have faced each other in three games, twice as coaches and once as players, with both ending up on the winning side once each. So, the challenge is now for both to see who ROCKS... Will Milan win?....

Here is the starting eleven formation for AC Milan by Coach Carlo Ancelotti

AC MILAN: Dida: Antonini, Senderos, Favalli, Jankulovski; Zambrotta, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Inzaghi, Shevchenko.

Here is the starting eleven formation for WOLFSBURG by Coach Felix Magath:

WOLFSBURG: Benaglio; Zaccardo, Ricardo Costa, Barzagli, Schafer; Hasebe, Josuè; Dejagah, Misimovic, Gentner; Dzeko.

Wow guys, ex Palermo players Cristian Zaccardo and Andrea Barzagli are in the starting line up. I was happy to see them.  Hope they come back to Italy. 

News for the Rossoneri no Ronaldinho, instead Ancelotti trusting Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko.

Referee Mark Courtney whistles the beginning of the match... here we go guys!!!!!  Forza Milan... Come onnnnn

Guys, cheer up because in the 16th minute it's a gooooaalllll for AC MILAN by Midfielder Massimo Ambrosini!!!  Just love it guys.  Where was Wolfsburg defenders?  Ambrosini was unmarked and get without a problem the assist from Clarence Seedorf following a corner kick to the second post.  Ambrosini being at the right place heads the ball to the lower right corner from the center of the penalty area blasting Wolfsburg goalkeeper Benaglio!!!!
AC Milan 1 - 0 Wolfsburg

A disappointed Wolfsburg with this early goal. Yet, guys, come on, Wolfsburg defenders did not do their job and left Ambrosini unmarked. It means Zaccardo and Barzagli not doing their job right.  Oh well..... good for Milan...



Come on Milan!!!

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In the 22nd minute, Super Pippo Inzaghi is caught offside!  Guys, I would love to see Inzaghi scoring today!!!! Come on Pippoooo.  It's so refreshing to see Inzaghi battling for the Rossoneri in an International competition.  65 goals totalll, let's increase the tally Inzaghi!! Come on.



In the 29th minute,  MIlan defender Marek Jankulovski sending a cross for Super Pippo and guess what? what!  Oh well, Wolfsburg defender Andrea Barzagli clears the danger with his head. .... geeee...

In the 31st minute, a clear and present danger from Wolfsburg Zvjezdan Misimovic following a corner kick sends the ball towards the middle, guys, Seedorf clears but Andrea Barzagli was around and missed a shot.  So close to equalize... Come on Milan let's not give up and score another goal for heaven sake!!!  Come on Milan.

Wow, guys, you won't believe it.  In the 55th minnute,  Wolfsburg defender Cristian Zaccardo blasting AC Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida!!! It was like a "billiard" combination Zaccardo pass to Schafer coming from the left hand side then sending the ball again to Zacclardo who was the middle to shoot the ball!   Good goal by Zaccardo only that it was against milannnn..
AC Milan 1 - 1 Wolfsburg

Milan must react quick or we risk ending with a draw !   Come on Milan...


Say what???? yes, yes, yes, oh hallellujah!!!!!!  Rejoice Milan fansssss immediately Milan reacts with a counterattack.  In the 56th minute, Clarence Seedorf running from the left hand side sends the ball to Pippo Inzaghi who cannot get it, but guys, PATOOOO was there to respond immediately for Milan and blasts Wolfsburg goalkeeper!!!!  Party at San Siroooooo!!
AC Milan 2 - 1 Wolfsburg

Oh nooooo !!!!!!  In the 80th minute, Wolfsburg equalizes the score with Mahir Saglik!!!!!   Guys, ten more minutes and Milan must rush to score!!!  Unbelievable guys, just a minute earlier Dida made a save!!!!
AC Milan 2 - 2 Wolfsburg

Incredible, Milan struggling to win this match when it had the lead twice!  In the 92nd minute, Wolfsburg still battling to upset Milan in their home stadium.  Forward Edin Dzeko almost shattering Milan fans whit a super shot and my goodness sake thanks God for DIDA making this last save...

No more time guys.  It's over. Referee Mark Courtney whistles the end of the match.  A total disappointment!  Imagine that Milan coach Ancelotti before the match said that "they were lacking solidity." Well, I am sad to agree with Ancelotti... Milan lacks not only solidity but an effective "group strategy.

Point is that Milan failed the objective which was to win this match to be leader of Group E. Instead, Milan passes as second of the group. I am personally disappointed with the rossoneri.  They had all the chances to win.....



2008 - 2009 UEFA Cup  Group Stage E Matchday 5

AC MILAN - WOLFSBURG
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
San Siro Stadium
11:30 a.m. USA Pacific Time

Referee: Mark Courtney (NIR)
Assistant referee: Thomas Fairfield (NIR) Paul Munn (NIR)
Fourth official: Alan Black (NIR)
UEFA Delegate: Yoav Strauss (ISR)
UEFA Referee observer: Franz Wöhrer (AUT)



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2008 - 2009 UEFA Cup  Group Stage E Matchday 5 AC MILAN - WOLFSBURG Wednesday, December 17, 2008 San Siro Stadium 11:30 a.m. USA Pacific Time Referee: Mark Courtney (NIR) Report on Italian Soccer Serie A
AC Milan		VfL Wolfsburg
2	Goals		2
14(10)	Shots (on Goal)		14(8)
13	Fouls		14
4	Corner Kicks		5
7	Offsides		0
62%	Ball Possession		38%
2	Yellow Cards		1
0	Red Cards		0
5	Saves		7

What do you think of the result?  Which players surprised you or disappointed you and why?




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