13 MARCH 2001
MILAN 1-1 DEPORTIVO
A horrific mistake by Manuel Pablo gave Jose Mari a clear chance on goal but he volleyed wide. Bierhoff may be awful with the ball at his feet but at
least he is good in the air, Jose Mari has no redeeming qualities. He tried an overhead kick with equally poor results but at least tested Molina with a
header. Two dives, two penalties. Djalminha typically (if you've seen him play you'll know what I mean) indulged himself by arrogantly chipping the
ball past Rossi. Highlight of the match. Despite Shevchenko's late spot kick Deportivo comfortably saw out the final minutes.
All of Milan's chances were the result of long balls. Symptomatic of the problems in Serie A today.
Assists : Capdevila, Bierhoff
PSG 2-0 GALATASARAY
Had PSG held onto their three goal lead last week they would be joining Galatasaray in the quarter-finals but at least they went with a victory (and
more prize money). Christian scored a fine opening goal and PSG capitalised on a pathetic offside trap to add a second. The match had to be suspended for
20 minutes in the second half after fighting broke out in the stand and two Gala supporters ran onto the pitch.
Red Card : Ducrocq 89 (PSG)
Assist : Leroy
7 MARCH 2001
DEPORTIVO 4-3 PSG
In the opening minutes Victor and Makaay blew two glorious chances to score. Fran brilliantly pulled down Djalminha's awesome cross field pass and seemed
certain to score but Letizi made a marvellous block. Molina punched out Algerino's cross, Okocha (remember him?) volleyed the ball back into the box,
it deflected off Donato, 0-1. More poor defending gave PSG another opportunity this time Molina did considerably better making a brilliant one
handed save to keep out Ducrocq's fierce effort. Leroy eventually got possession of a long ball, stuck it under Donato's legs, sent Manuel Pablo
the wrong way with a sharp turn and from a tight angle left Molina stranded. One of THE goals of the season.
Letizi made another stunning block to deny Victor and when PSG suckered Depor on the counter attack is should have been over. Bernabia intercepted a
slack ball, released Algerino with a marvellous pass, Algerino drove forward, centred and Leroy tapped in. As Leroy wheeled away to celebrate he shrugged his shoulders. I imagine most PSG players did that at the end of the game. Substitute Pandiani headed in Manuel Pablo's cross. Tristan headed in Djalminha's corner, 2-3. Depor should have been awarded a penalty for handball, Letizi made another brilliant save from Pandiani. Okocha wasted a great chance to give his team breathing space as PSG once again caught Depor on the break. Okocha joined Bernabia on the substitute's bench to watch the remainder of their lead wither away. Makaay headed on Victor's raking pass and Pandiani headed in the equaliser. Minutes later he completed a hat-trick of headers to earn Depor a historic victory.
Assists : Algerino, Manuel Pablo, Djalminha (x2), Makaay
GALATASARAY 2-0 MILAN
Leonardo should have been sent off for brutally kicking Emre from behind. Giunti tried his luck from distance, Shevchenko got a touch but the ball
rolled wide. Milan's best and only real chance of the match. Capone launched a pass upto Hagi but with two towering defenders covering him he really had
no business scoring but he did, Dida flew off his line, missed the ball and Hagi chipped into an empty net. That's Dida's Milan career finished although
he did make a fine save from a Hagi free kick later in the half. Typically inept defending put Milan out of their misery. Maldini slipped when attempting
to cut out Capone's 'through ball', Chamot made an equally poor attempt to stop Jardel and he beat Dida with ease.
Assists : Capone, Emre
Galatasaray are in the quarter-finals. Milan must beat Depor in their final match otherwise they're out and Depor will join local rivals Real Madrid
and Valencia in the last eight.
20 FEBRUARY 2001
DEPORTIVO 2-0 GALATASARAY
Hagi blew a great chance to give his team the lead, Popescu? split the Depor back line with a marvellous through ball but Hagi shot straight at Songo'o.
Victor took out Vedat on the right flank before firing the ball into the box, it cannoned off the crossbar to Djalminha but Taffarel saved. Victor gave
Depor the lead five minutes before half time. Tristan touched Fran's corner onto Djalminha, his shot took a deflection off Jardel and Victor poked in at
the far post. Vedat got himself a red card for a stupid challenge on Victor. Djalminha converted a penalty awarded for handball. Desperate defending
prevented Depor from adding to their lead.
Gala were missing several first team players.
Red Card : Vedat 58 (Galatasaray)
PSG 1-1 MILAN
Leonardo should have scored against his former club in the first few minutes. He brilliantly made an opening for himself by creaming A Cisse with a dummy
and with most of the goal to aim at shot miserably wide. He combined with fellow Brazilian Serginho minutes later, releasing the winger with a perfect
ball over the top but Letizi wasn't troubled by a poor shot. Anelka finally brought PSG to life. He went past donkey Helveg with ridiculous before hitting
the side netting and only a clearance by Coco prevented Leroy from converting his centre. Leroy got his chance from the resulting corner but Abbiati made
a marvellous save.
Milan began the second half as they did the first, Serginho missing a 100% chance when once again put through by Leonardo. Serginho returned the
favour but Leonardo failed to hit the target. Robert gave PSG the lead from a free kick at the second attempt. Nothing particularly impressive about the
strike, it just rolled into the corner. Two substitutes combined for a deserved but fortuitous equaliser, PSG made a mess of a deep cross, Boban headed
the ball out, Albertini hit it first time, it deflected off Jose Mari, 1-1.
PSG are done. Milan have somehow managed to remain unbeaten away from home this season. They will face their toughest test to date in a fortnight,
away to Galatasaray.
Assist : Albertini
14 FEBRUARY 2001
MILAN 1-1 PSG
Albertini crossed to Leonardo, with a stunning first touch he flicked the ball round Dehu and chipped it over the advancing Coupet. Milan's notorious
offside trap gifted PSG the equaliser. As they waited in vain for the linesman to raise his flag Anelka raced clear and whipped the ball past Abbiati.
Donkey Roque Junior was set off for brining down Anelka when he was clean through on goal.
Domi should have given PSG the lead early in the second half. Bernabia's dummy completely threw the Milan defence and allowed Domi a clear sight of
goal but he shot over the bar. Milan continued to ride their luck, Maldini and led in the box but the ref and linesman managed to miss it.
Assists : Albertini, Bernabia
Red Card : Roque Junior 42 (Milan)
21 NOVEMBER 2000
MILAN 2-2 GALATASARAY
Milan put Gala under tremendous pressure in the first 15 minutes before inexplicably stepping off the gas. Gala slowly got back in the match and
suddenly found themselves 2-0 up. Jardel met Chamot's hospital pass with a fabulous left foot volley which beautifully nestled into the bottom corner.
Hagi released Sas with a glorious diagonal ball from a quickly taken free kick, the Milan defence waited for the offside flag while Sas sent a looping
header over Abbiati. This woke up the Italians, Inan made a fantastic save from a Shevchenko volley and Maldini crashed a shot against the crossbar.
Jose Mari got Milan back into the match early in the second half, Roque Junior audaciously flicked on a ball, Jose Mari took a touch and fired under
the 'keepers legs. Shevchenko converted a penalty won for handball. Gala then effectively killed the game off with some appalling time wasting. Inan
faked a head injury as Shevchenko and Bierhoff bore down on him when chasing a ball. Bulent made a miraculous recovery from what appeared to
be a broken leg after barely being touched by Bierhoff. The Milan supporters showered the Gala players with missiles. Another fine for Milan but Gala
should also be punished for their cynical tactics.
Assists : Hagi, Roque Junior
PSG 1-3 DEPORTIVO
Molina gifted PSG the lead, allowing Algerino's speculative shot to squirm under his body. Defender Naybet, scorer of a great goal against
Panathinaikos, punished Distin's hospital pass with a ferocious volley. Another great finish gave Spaniards the lead, Turo Flores with a diagonal
Batistuta style strike. Makaay latched onto Victor's through pass, rounded Letizi and tapped into an empty net.
Very impressive from Deportivo. Barring a dramatic turnaround in away form that's PSG knackered already.
Assists : Victor (x2)