TIME MACHINE: AC MILAN v COMO

AC Milan v Como, 3 May 2003. It was the final game before the first leg of the EuroDerby. It was impossible not to already be thinking about the much-anticipated Champions League double-header. Minds were drifting there, but the Rossoneri still had Serie A to focus on. It was a delicate moment in the season: after winning at the Nerazzurri’s home thanks to an Inzaghi poacher’s finish, defeats to Empoli and Roma followed, leaving third place hanging in the balance. Beating Como at San Siro was the perfect way to get back on track in the league and head into the semi-final with renewed confidence.

Coach Ancelotti didn't opt to rest his key players. Instead, he put out many of the stars who would soon be playing in Europe as well: Dida, Shevchenko, Maldini, Nesta, Gattuso, and Inzaghi. AC Milan took care of the most important task early on - scoring. In the 11th minute, Inzaghi converted a penalty, after Ambrosini was brought down in the box following a corner. From the spot, Super Pippo fired a low, angled shot into the net to give AC Milan the lead. The rest of the first half was controlled, with the Rossoneri creating chances and managing the game. Early in the second half, they put the result beyond doubt: from a corner, Inzaghi flicked the ball on, and Nesta, scoring his first AC Milan goal after joining in the summer, turned it in from close range.

The excitement wasn't over as Rivaldo nearly “shook the stadium” with a moment of brilliance: weaving through midfield, driving forward, and trying a delicate chip from the edge of the box. Everyone held their breath… but it rattled the crossbar and stayed out. In the final minutes, Greco and Shevchenko had chances, but the score remained unchanged. AC Milan won 2-0, on the brink of one of the most glorious and successful periods in the Club’s history.

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