FIORENTINA 0 MILAN 2

In a busy week in which Carlo Ancelotti has announced that he is to leave Milan and the England team have been given the all clear to take part in the 2012 olympics, Milan finish the 2009 Serie A season in third place by beating Fiorentina and qualifying for the Champions League.

Beckham was included in the starting lineup against Fiorentina as he prepares himself to return to LA for the Summer. The game started briskly enough, Fiorentina came out with intent and Milan responded with equal determination. Chances came and went for both sides without the deadlock being broken for the first fourty five minutes. One of the most notable events was an admission by Kaka that he had last touched the ball when otherwise a certain corner would have been awarded to Milan. A rare show of sportsmanship in the modern game on a par with the protests by Andre Arsharvin a few weeks ago after having a penalty awarded in his favour.

It was 10 minutes into the second half that Milan took the lead through Kaka, and this was the start of a period where Milan began to dominate the game. Inzaghi was replaced by Pato and just a few minutes later Pato scored the second Milan goal. Nesta took the field in place of Flamini and Gattuso came on for Beckham late in the game - Having succesfully dominated away from home for the last game of the eason, it just remained for Milan to say their final goodbyes to long-serving Maldini who now retires.

I am sure that the Milan Experiment will figure as a much-needed success for Beckham and there is no doubt that having Beckham in the Milan side has helped them secure a Champions League spot next season. Last time Beckham played in Europe for Real Madrid he left after having helped the team win the league - the type of success that has been sadly lacking playing for The Galaxy. I think he needed to prove to himself, as well as to the England manager that he was still able to mix it with the best, and whatever the financial cost, the experience has been invaluable. After England duties and a well-earned break, Beckham will return to a very mediocre Galaxy who although not often beaten... very rarely win... Their record this season boasts a total of six 1-1 draws, and only one win to offset against their one defeat.

Milan 2 Roma 3

On the day when victory could have sealed Milan's bid to automatically qualify for the Champions League next season, they let the chance slip through their fingers and will have to wait until the last game of the season to consolidate 2nd or 3rd place in the league. The worst-case scenario is that they finish 4th and have to endure the qualifying rounds, and co-incidentally the last game of the season will see them play 4th placed team Fiorentina.

Milan looked like a team that just ran out of steam at the end of a long eventful season, leaving Maldini disappointed to give his last performance at the San Siro on a losing note. Milan started with Pato and Inzaghi up front supported by Kaká. Neither team established superiority at the start with Milan failing to feed the ball forward to the front men.

Roma took the lead in the 36th minute. Vucinic won a free kick on the edge of the area and Riise beat Dida with his powerful left foot. Despite decent performances from the trio of Beckham, Pirlo and Pato, the rest of Milan seemed to lack interest in the game.

Seedorf came on to replace an injured Beckham in the second half, and despite trying to raise their game, Milan were well contained by Roma. Ronaldinho and Zambrotta came on for Pato and Jankulovski. Finally in the 31st minute Ambrosini equalised for Milan, only to see the lead taken again by Roma just 3 minutes later. Not to be out-done, Ambrosini had equalised yet again less than a minute later. With just five minutes to go Totti scored from a free kick to give Roma the lead. In a frantic last few minutes Abrosini got himself sent off after displaying his displeasure at being denied a penalty (his second denied penalty of the match) - Milan had nothing left to offer and are left with a tough match next Sunday to find out their final position in the league and their chances of qualifying for European football next year.

Udinese 2 Milan 1

There was hope that qualification for Europe could be settled with a result at Udinese, but that will have to wait... Beckham did not figure in this game as he is suspended, and speculation about Ancelloti replacing Guus Hiddink as Chelsea manager next season is growing.
On a more positive note, this was the 900th match that Maldini has played for Milan, it's just a pity that they didn't take the opportunity to consolidate their position in Serie A - instead Maldini had a penalty awarded against him in the 30th minute giving Udinese the lead. Milan failed to respond effectively and went into half-time 1-0 down.

The second half saw Udinese extend their lead in just the 4th minute leaving Milan staring at the possibility of breaking their unbeaten run that has lasted since the beginning of March. Inzaghi came on and had the ball in the net, but once again the veteran striker was ruled offside. Ronaldhino came on to add to the attack and after chances at either end, Ambrosini scored with his head offering Milan a lifeline. Despite Milan's best efforts to go all-out for the equaliser, it all came too late and the game ended 2-1.

Milan 1 Juventus 1

The game against Juventus has been eagerly awaited and anticipated, and the two teams started at pace with plenty of chances and 'passionate' challenges.. Beckham started in his customary position on the right wing for this game with Seedorf in midfield and with Kaka feeding Inzaghi up front.
Despite having the home advantage most of the Milan attacking moves fell apart before a telling shot could be guided goalwards. In contrast Juve had numerous chances within the Milan penalty area which somehow failed to convert into a goal.
The first half ended 0-0 with all to play for in the second half...
The second half started in similar vein and 10 minutes in, Juve had a golden chance from a freekick after Ambrosini blocked off a Juventus player. The ball bounced off the wall and was quickly played forward for Inzaghi who did brilliantly to pick it up on the left hand side and cut back for Ambrosini to shoot. The shot skimmed off his boot and fell to the right foot of the approaching Seedorf for a simple tap-in past a flailing Buffon in the Juve goal...
Only four minutes later, Juventus had equalised with a header from a long searching ball into the box and the game was level again at 1-1.
On 65 minutes Milan had a freekick which oddly Beckham did not take, and a minute later (after a fracas in the Juve box which earned Maldini a yellow card..), Pato came on to replace Beckham. the challenges continued to come thick and fast as the pressure to get the winning goal intensified. Being Italy, the stretcher featured heavily as players flung themselves to the floor apparently undergoing near-death experiences with every tackle...
Ronaldinho came on for Inzaghi as the tide began to turn in Milan's favour whilst Delpiero came on as a late sub for Juventus. Milan's Favalli earned himself a red card for a reasonably tame foul leaving Milan with 10 men for the final 10 minutes. Seedorf gave way to Senderos as Milan prepared to bolster their defence after the untimely departure of Favalli. On the stroke of 90 minutes Senderos earned Milan a freekick in a dangerous position, but the chance went begging. Four minutes of extra time came and went, the score remained 1-1 and overall it seemed a fair reflection of the game.

Catania 0 Milan 2

Milan imposed their game on Catania from the start and were almost allowed to play as if they were the home side.
The irrepressible Inzaghi popped up to score his 13th league goal this season just before the half-hour mark. Catania responded with some pressure of their own, but the lively first half finished 1 - 0 to Milan.
A revitalised Catania came out for the second half, but failed to convert any of their chances, and an interchange between Abrosini, Beckham and Kaka saw Kaka sink Catania's hopes by making it 2 - 0 with just 7 minutes of the second half played. there was no coming back for Catania as Milan continued to push for more goals. Just after half an hour played in the second half, Beckham gave way to Bonera who has been out for about eight or nine weeks. In reality, the final score could have been better than 2 - 0, but the three points are what matters as Milan remain on their recent unbeaten run consoildating their position in the league.

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