TIME MACHINE: VENEZIA v AC MILAN

Before facing them again in 2022, when the Rossoneri secured a convincing 3-0 win, Venezia v AC Milan hadn't been played in Serie A since back in 2001/02. More precisely, it was Sunday 24 February 2002 at 15:00. Let's delve into our history books, ahead of the game on the weekend, and look back on this game with our Time Machine. 

Ancelotti's AC Milan - who had been in charge for a few months - went to the Penzo with a few players out, in between the two-legged tie against Roda JC Kerkrade in the UEFA Cup Round of 16. The Rossoneri were not in great form in Serie A: they hadn't won since January 6 (1-0 against Lecce), before five draws (Brescia, Fiorentina, Lazio, Perugia e Atalanta) and also a loss to Udinese. They were sixth in the table on 35 points, but a Champions League spot was only three points away. The game against Venezia was crucial. The team was: Abbiati; Contra, Costacurta, Roque Júnior, Chamot; Gattuso, Albertini, Kaladze; Pirlo; Shevchenko, José Mari.

The hosts had the first chance through Magallanes's effort. But in the 12th minute, we got in front: Gattuso crossed it in, Shevchenko then laid it off and Kaladze fired home, beating Rossi. The lead lasted no time at all, in the 17th minute, Venezia found an equaliser: crossed in, Roque Júnior's header found its way to Maniero who headed home well. The rest of the first half stayed the same, but it was a different story in the second half: Bressan's shot was off target before José Mari then hit the bar. Javi Moreno then came on, and the game changed: in the 67th minute he volleyed home, before sealing a brace in the 81st minute with a low-driven finish; in between it all, Contra scored in the 75th minute, converting a speedy counter-attack, putting the game in our hands. It was a huge four-goal win in our charge for European football, which we did manage by the end of the season, which was thanks to many things, but also the 4-1 win in Venice.

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