TIME MACHINE: COMO v AC MILAN

AC Milan face Como in the top flight for the first time after 20 years. In the last previous meeting at the home of the Lariani, in the 2002/03 season, Ambrosini and Shevchenko were able to secure the three points for Carlo Ancelotti's Rossoneri, who won 2-1 at the Sinigaglia. Today marks the 19th matchday of the first half of the season. Back then, in an 18 team Serie A, Como v AC Milan offered the chance for three vital points to approach the midway point of the season in the best possible way. Let's look back to 15 December 2022 to relive that clash. 

AC Milan were in good form, despite the struggles that came with a busy schedule. Before the away trip to the lake, there were wins over Roma and away at Borussia Dortmund, with both matches ending 1-0 thanks to goals from Inzaghi. In between these games, there was also the friendly played in Qatar (0-6 against the host nation in Doha). Four difficult matches in the space of nine days. The newly promoted Como were looking for their first win in the top flight after a complicated start in terms of results, which led to Fascetti's appointment as Head Coach. Ancelotti opted for a front three of Rivaldo-Inzaghi-Shevchenko for the first time, as he used a 4-3-1-2 formation without Rui Costa. 

The match began in a cautious manner but then it opened up in the space of two minutes. In the 20th minute, Nesta played a long ball forward for Inzaghi who controlled it with his chest and played in Ambrosini, the number 23 placed his right-footed shot into the corner to make it 1-0. Como reacted straight away, Cauet shot from distance in the 22nd minute, Dida couldn't get hold of it and Pecchia tapped it in to make it 1-1. The Diavolo pushed with Shevchenko and Inzaghi, the home side did too with Allegretti and Pecchia but the game remained level. Shevchenko made it 2-1 in the 40th minute: Rivaldo took the corner, Ambrosini floated it into the air and the Ukrainian powerfully headed it into the night. There wasn't much excitement in the second half, AC Milan were solid and managed the advantage without taking too many risks. The three points earned AC Milan a momentary top spot but the Rossoneri finished the season in third place. The Coppa Italia and historic Champions League wins made the season very memorable, beating the league leader Juventus. 

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