Serie A - Milan into Champions League

Eurosport - Sun, 31 May 17:03:00 2009

AC Milan booked their place in the Champions League group stages and gave Paolo Maldini a winning send-off as they beat Fiorentina 2-0.

FOOTBALL Paolo Maldini Milan - 0

The seven-time European champions risked missing out on a top three finish and having to negotiate two qualifying rounds in Europe next season if they lost but goals from Kaka and Pato were enough to secure a win and third place in Serie A.

Fiorentina finished fourth following the defeat and will play those two qualifying rounds next season while Juventus claimed second spot with a 2-0 home win over Lazio.

But while Maldini was afforded a great reception from both sets of fans in Florence to celebrate his 24 years as a Milan player, coach Carlo Ancelotti made what will likely be a more discreet departure.

He too is likely to leave Milan to join Chelsea next season, despite Milan's fans chanting for him to stay throughout the game.

Fiorentina, who had to win to take a top three finish, started brightly and former Milan forward Alberto Gilardino got on the end of a left-wing cross on 22-minutes but headed wide under pressure.

Just two minutes later former Arsenal star Mathieu Flamini grazed the bar with a vicious shot from 22 yards as Milan demonstrated their potency.

Fiorentina had a good shout for a penalty on 42 minutes when Giuseppe Favalli appeared to haul down Gilardino but the referee gave a foul the other way.

On 48 minutes the striker went close again as he curled a shot just past the post with the outside of his right boot.

But on 55 minutes Milan took the lead with a simple move as Andrea Pirlo released Gianluca Zambrotta down the right and although his cross was blocked by Alessandro Gamberini, Kaka followed up to slide home the ball.

Filippo Inzaghi should have finished things on 62 minutes but he blazed over the bar with only French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey to beat.

However substitute Pato did seal the victory on 76 minutes as he beat the offside trap and then chipped Frey as the Frenchman went to ground.

Champions Inter Milan came back from 3-2 down to beat Atalanta 4-3 at the San Siro as Portugal veteran Luis Figo also bowed out from the game.

Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimvoic also took the golden boot award after his two goals took his tally to 25 this season.

Czech veteran Pavel Nedved was another player departing as he played his final game for Juventus, with two Vincenzo Iaquinta goals securing their victory.

Torino joined Reggina and Lecce in being relegated to Serie B after they lost 3-2 at AS Roma and Bologna won 3-1 at home to Catania.

AFP

Comment 3 - 22 of 22

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. i still dnt get it hw did milan finish 3rd dey hv d­ same points with juve with higher goal diff hw come­ juve finished ahead of them

    From Evans E, on Tue 2 Jun 2:32PM

  2. i still dnt get it hw did milan finish 3rd dey hv d­ same points with juve with higher goal diff hw come­ juve finished ahead of them

    From Evans E, on Tue 2 Jun 2:29PM

  3. Paolo Maldini
    One of the greatest italian players ever.­ lucky to have him play for milan for so long.
    hope he­ comes back to the club in a coaching or leadership­ role. he is a great man

    Glory for Milan!!

    From United Milan 07, on Mon 1 Jun 9:18AM

  4. dumb @#$% this is not the english premier league!!­ thank god! juve have better results agianst milan, and­ so they are 2nd. goal difference doesnt decide­ positions

    From roderick_gatt, on Mon 1 Jun 9:04AM

  5. I hope I can be a well-educated man's someone­ special. I have long legs, blond hairs and blue eyes.­ Im kind, well-educated, humurous and cute. Reach me out­ @ _________________ K is s Mi ll ionaire S C om­ ______________ I will reply to all mails.­ Handle------Lovelybutterfly999--------

    From , on Mon 1 Jun 8:21AM

  6. GRAZI MALDINI

    From Azlan bin Abdullah (Fivers 71), on Mon 1 Jun 7:15AM

  7. one day one of his sons might play for milan and then­ we will have another maldini in milan true legend wish­ you the best Paolo!

    From Josh, on Mon 1 Jun 4:54AM

  8. LA TUA STORIA - NOSTRA GLORIA, GRAZIE PAOLO !!! GOODBYE­ ROSSONERO LEGEND! Thank you IL CAPITANO! We'll miss­ you! Goodbye Ancelotti, thank you, Leonardo - welcome!­ As Galliani said, for Ancelotti is only goodbye,­ because the coaches can always return and the players­ like Paolo Maldini will never return, that's why­ it's more emotional. It's difficult to find­ such a loyal player there days, when the money rule.­ FORZA MILAN!

    From markob_mkd, on Mon 1 Jun 2:23AM

  9. He'll probably go to Inter now since they are­ winning all the time.

    From Typical Chav, on Sun 31 May 9:16PM

  10. Mentre Maldini! Ci ricordiamo come un giocatore e un­ uomo straordinario!
    It means Godd buy maldini! We will­ remember you as a player and a remarkable man!It is­ absolutely true!

    From kosiannatalia, on Sun 31 May 9:15PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    HEY it looks like Milan should be 2nd instead of 3rd­ place, LOOK AT THE GOAL DIFFERENCES ON THE TABLE,­ Juventus has 32 goals while Milan has 35 goals, so­ Milan should go second and Juventus 3rd.

    From gukkeechin, on Sun 31 May 9:14PM

  12. Maldini, a shining example of how a great­ footballer,should be,a perfect role model for young­ players

    From LES, on Sun 31 May 8:25PM

  13. He reflects everything that is good about Italian­ football and sport in general. A towering presence in­ world football which will be the poorer with your­ absence. I hope you enjoy your retirement.

    From Michael l, on Sun 31 May 8:24PM

  14. Maldini is one of the greatest defenders ever,­ definitely the greatest of my generation. Anyone here­ that can remember that real great Milan team of the­ early 90's?

    From markear1, on Sun 31 May 7:45PM

  15. Fine player one of the great's

    From anthony h, on Sun 31 May 7:24PM

  16. i will miss watching u Paolo you are the true legend of­ the world.

    From Josh, on Sun 31 May 7:20PM

  17. Thank you Paolo for your every game and we won't­ forget you for the rest of our lifes !!! and a nice­ present from your team, a good win against Fiorentina,­ so you can end your career with a big smile !!! Forza­ Paolo ! Forza Milan !!!

    From Vik T, on Sun 31 May 5:58PM

  18. Thank You Maldini !!!
    Thank You Ancelotti !!!

    From andrei, on Sun 31 May 5:45PM

  19. well deserved sure

    From Hamzeh O, on Sun 31 May 5:02PM

  20. To the irreplacable Paolo Maldini. Thank you for the­ many years of joy you gave to football you will be­ missed.

    From delazzuro, on Sun 31 May 4:59PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account