Milan edge past brave Sevilla

SEVILLA, still grieving from the sudden death of midfielder Antonio Puerta, found themselves on the losing end of an incisive performance by European champions Milan in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco last night.

Milan underwent a transformation after a poor first half by their standards, and goals from Filippo Inzaghi, Marek Jankulovski – a quite stunning strike — and Kaka secured victory for the Italians over the UEFA Cup holders from Andalucia.

Despite the poignancy of the occasion, both Sevilla and Milan displayed a determination to win, though the Spaniards’ desire was the greater in the first half. And in the 14th minute Renato opened the scoring.

Duda took a corner from the right and the Brazilian midfielder found himself unmarked at the far post to head down past Dida in the Milan goal.

There was another Renato let-off for Milan when Kanoute skipped around Dida and cut the ball back only for his team-mate to have his shot blocked on the line by Alessandro Nesta.

Milan were considerably more up for it in the second half as Sevilla’s heads dropped.

With Seedorf going on some useful forays, Milan started to dominate and the equaliser came in the 56th minute, converted expertly by Inzaghi after some outstanding work by Rino Gattuso who produced a mouthwatering cross for Inzaghi to bullet home a header.

Within six minutes, while Gattuso was off the field getting treatment for a head injury, Milan were ahead courtesy of some Jankulovski brilliance.

From deep in his own half Andrea Pirlo flighted a long searching pass into space on the left and the Czech full-back, at full pelt, met the ball on the half-volley and sent it swerving beyond Andres Palop’s grasp.

Kaka ended the contest three minutes from time after having his heels clipped by Ivica Dragutinovic. Palop parried the Brazilian’s spot-kick but the ball rebounded nicely for Kaka who nodded home for Milan’s third.