A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING AT PALERMO

In Palermo it was Seedorf, just like 5 days ago, who brought Milan in front. His goal is overturned first by Diana's equaliser, then by Miccoli's injury-time winner.

PALERMO - The first midweek Serie A round was not positive for Milan: the Rossoneri fail to get a result in Palermo and return home with the first defeat of the season.
At the 'Barbera' there was a little bit of everything tonight. Once again Carlo Ancelotti's team went ahead, but then they were pegged back, and in the end, beaten. But today more than ever, the defeat seems undeserved, as Milan played an excellent match, which should be analysed separately from what was the final result.

Clarence Seedorf scored the opening goal. Last year he obtained his personal record with 10 goals throughout the season. This year he is already on the right path to repeat themselves. The Dutchman scored his second goal of the 2007/2008 season at Palermo, after the first goal against Parma last weekend. So it was his second goal in five days, and it was a good goal, as was the move, a triangle between Seedorf-Gila-Kaká, which brought it about.

But, clearly, Milan leave the 'Barbera' with the disappointment and the remorse about the result. The leitmotiv was the same, even though this time the team did not lose but drew: Milan play well, score, come close to doubling the score on several occasions, but then they concede an equaliser, and, in injury time, they even concede the 2-1. Once again the many chances created, with, among other episodes, two crossbars hit by Seedorf and Pirlo, are not converted into goals, due to bad luck, perhaps due to a lack of sharpness, but the defeat seems too harsh, for the football and the character shown by this Milan. Probably even a draw would have been too little for the Rossoneri tonight.

The episodes were decisive: Diana's goal was spoiled by a handball by Amauri and perhaps an offside position by the goalscorer, and Milan also complain about a possible penalty not given, claimed by Emerson in the first half. Then the woodworks, the goals almost scored by Seedorf, Kaká, and Gilardino, who was once again luckless tonight. The episodes, were unjust, and cruel.

It's probably not a good thing to make it a drama: considering the football played and the performances of the single players, there is nothing to complain against this Milan, who now have to look forward, with the awareness that there is still time to make up. And that, in general, the team is doing well. Especially if they continue playing like this.

-SEEDORF'S 12 GOALS-

22-9-2006: Red Star -Milan 1-2 (Champions League)
17-9-2006: Milan-Parma 0-2
28-10-2006: Milan-Inter 3-4
14-1-2007: Milan-Reggina 3-1
3-3-2007: Milan-Chievo 3-1
11-4-2007: Bayern Munich-Milan 0-2 (Champions League)
18-4-2007: Ascoli-Milan 2-5
28-4-2007: Torino-Milan 0-1
2-5-2007: Milan-Manchester 3-0 (Champions League)
13-5-2007: Catania-Milan 1-1

22-9-2007: Milan-Parma 1-1
26-9-2007: Palermo-Milan 2-1