AC Milan easily beat Arsenal 4-0 Wednesday night to give their European title hopes a massive boost ahead of the return fixture in two weeks time. Arsenal really did not put up any resistance and after Boateng’s stunning strike in the 15th minute, the gunners never really looked in it.
The match also marked the end of club icon Thierry Henry’s 2 month loan spell albeit on a sour note as the striker failed to honour his pre-match promise of gifting club supporters with a parting goal. It was hard to believe that this was the same team that had and still is doing so well in the English Premier League.
Sure i did not expect them to win, but neither did i expect a 4-0 scoreline! That said, it was all smiles for Allegri and his boys and although the Italian tactician was happy with the win, he was not content with the scoreline. Here is what he had to say after the match.
“Tonight we had so many chances, especially after going 4-0 up,” he said.
“We could’ve won 6-0 and ought to take our chances when they appear, above all in Europe. I hoped to add some more to the result, because we have to take the opportunities. The result is good, but it would’ve been better to score a few more and definitively end the tie. Now we need a goal in London to relax.
“The team played almost perfectly, attacking our opponents from the start on all areas of the pitch. In terms of concentration we got it all right and the side showed the right spirit of sacrifice to win. We must always play this way in Europe and Italy so we can win every trophy.”
Though it looks like Milan are already through to the quarter finals of the tournament, a few sober heads are expressing caution by urging their fellow team mates not to think that the tie is done deal. Van Bommel called on his team mates not to forget Milan’s shameful exit in the quarter finals of the 2004 tournament when Deportivo La Coruna stunned them at home 4-0 after losing at the San Siro 4-1.
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly was not,” Van Bommel said.
“I do not think it is over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan were also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.”
I am sure Milan will not want a repeat of 2004, however, i believe that Arsenal could give them a real run when they meet at the Emirates in two weeks’ time.
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