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15/10/06 - Serie A
Parma (H)
Team: Abbiati; Gonzalo, Maldini, Nesta; Pirlo; Jankulovski, Kaka, Gattuso, Seedorf; Shevchenko, Gilardino.

Ledley King's twisted knee gave club captain Paolo Maldini his first start of the season. Kaka's corner from the left was played to the unmarked Shevchenko on the edge of the edge, who slammed home on 30 minutes. Despite AC's dominance, goalkeeper Christian Abbiati was voted MOM.
AC Milan 1-0 Parma

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18/10/06 - UEFA Champions League, Group A
Villarreal (A)
Team: Abbiati; Maldini, Gonzalo, Nesta, Jankulovski; Kaladze, Kaka, Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf; Shevchenko.

The trip to Spain brought about a change of formation. Not entirely new as AC had been switching to it throughout the 2006/07 season. 451 are the numbers, with full-backs getting forward, the wingers pushing on and Kaka (Aimar when he plays) supporting in behind the lone striker, in this case Shevchenko. Andrea Pirlo sits deep and constructs the ball while Gattuso adds the bite and ball winning qualities.

To the game and 15 minutes in, the defence was breached, Sorin's left wing cross was headed home from 10 years by the unmarked ex-AC Milan striker (and flop) Jose Mari. The lead was doubled just before half time when firstly Jankulovski missed his header and then Nesta was caught on the ball by ex-Man Utd striker (and flop) Diego Forlan who cooly slotted home past Abbiati. Experienced Bolivian defender Juan Manual Pena won MOM for the hosts as the new formation was compromised.
Villarreal 2-0 AC Milan

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22/10/06 - Serie A
Sampdoria (H)
Team: Abbiati; Gonzalo, Nesta, King; Pirlo; Jankulovski, Kaka, Gattuso, Seedorf; Gilardino, Shevchenko.

Back to the 3142 for the visit of Sampdoria in front of 85,683. And the majority if the crowd would have been cheering on 33 minutes when Gattuso won the ball in midfield and found Shevchenko who in turn slipped it to Gilardino who powered his shot past the helpless young Reserve goalkeeper Daniele Padelli, in for the injured Luca Castellazzi. The lead was doubled just before half-time through Shevchenko. AC kept the ball expertly and Ledley King's ball in to the box was met with precision by the Ukrainian. 5 minutes into the second half and the strangest thing happened, I will upload the game to view, as it is quite unbelievable. Max Tonetto took a throw-in on the Sampdoria level with the AC Milan penalty area. At this point goalkeeper Padelli can be found standing next to Abbiati in the AC goal. Volpi exchanges passes with throw-in taker Tonetto. The ball is played into the penalty area for Bazzani, who tries to loose his markers and plays the ball backwards for Volpi. Unfortunately for Sampdoria, the pass goes astray and Shevchenko latches on to what was an excellent throughball by the Doria player and passes the ball into the net from the half-way line. This was not the only time Padelli could be seen wondering the green turf at the San Siro. He ws subsequently subbed on 82 minutes for Under 20 goalkeeper Gianluca Di Gennaro.
AC Milan 3-0 Sampdoria
Match available for Download

retired_rblake

25/10/06 - Serie A
Udinese (A)
Team: Abbiati; Gonzalo, Nesta, King; Pirlo; Jankulovski, Kaka, Gattuso, Seedorf; Shevchenko, Gilardino.

You may have been able to judge from my team selections that I am no Rafael Benitez, very rarely rotating, so full strength line-up again. Full strength or not, tinkering or not, AC fell behind on 24 minutes, deep cross from the left by Antonio Di Natale, headed goalwards by captain Damiano Zenoni and flicked in by Zlatan Muslimovic. 0-1. The equaliser arrived 10 minutes later through Alberto Gilardino, sliding the ball under keeper Nicola Santoni. Less than ten minutes to go and substitute Pablo Aimar converts a penalty to give AC Milan the lead after fellow substitute Robinho have been tripped by Cesare Natali. On 87 minutes the game was made safe Aimar, found Robiho, who laid it off for Kaka to strike from the edge of the area. MOM: Gennaro Gattuso.
Udinese 1-3 AC Milan

retired_rblake

28/10/06 - Serie A
Lazio (H)
Team: Dida; Gonzalo, Maldini, King; Pirlo; Jankulovski, Kaka, Gattuso, Seedorf; Robinho, Gilardino.

Three enforced changes from midweek with injuries ruling out Abbiati (Broken Finger for a month) and Nesta (Groin Strain for 2 weeks) and tiredness doing for Shevchenko.

To the game and the first half was scoreless. The only incident of note was Gilardino straining his neck after 4 minutes, introducing Pippo Inzaghi early to the game. On 57 minutes the two strikers combined, Robinho capitalising on a mistake from Jose Andres Guardado and feeding Inzaghi who lobbed the onrushing ex-Ipswich goalkeeper Matteo Sereni. Clarence Seedorf made in two with twenty minutes remaining on the break away. Yet Lazio weren't done and pulled one back with 3 minutes left. They kept the ball nicely and waited patiently for an opening, which arrived down the AC Milan right, Lazio left where substitute Laciano Zauri crossed for MOM Tommaso Rocchi to beat Dida to the ball for a consolation goal.
AC Milan 2-1 Lazio

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31/10/06 - UEFA Champions League, Group A
Villarreal (H)
Team: Dida; Kaladze, Gonzalo, King, Jankulovski; Seedorf, Kaka, Pirlo, Gattuso, Robinho; Shevchenko.

Injury still ruled out Abbiati and Nesta but Shevchenko returned with Gilardino on the treatment table for a few days.

The 451 formation came back out to play with Robinho being trained to utilise his pace, dribbling and creativity down the right flank.

Like the away trip, Villarreal took the early, after 6 minutes, Torrado won the ball in midfield and played in Forlan, who struck a fantastic effort from 30 yards past Dida in the AC Milan goal. The lead lasted until the half hour mark when Seedorf won the ball in midfield and found Shevchenko who lobbed Chris Kirkland in the Villarreal goal. 1-1. Five minutes later and AC lead, MOM Shevchenko beating Kirkland at his near post. With twenty minutes later Robinho rose to meet a Seedorf left-wing cross.

There were sub appearances for Massimo Ambrosini returning from a month's lay-off with a Torn Groin muscle and first appearances for the season for Argentinian Leandro Depetris and American Freddy Adu.
AC Milan 3-1 Villarreal

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05/11/06 - Serie A
Inter (A)
Team: Dida, Kaladze, Gonzalo, King, Jankulovski; Seedorf, Kaka, Pirlo, Gattuso, Robinho; Shevchenko.

Unchanged line-up as AC took on league leaders Inter Milan in the Milan derby.

6 minutes in and AC had the lead, a 25 yarder from Seedorf was parried by Sebastien Frey in the Inter goal and Shevchenko pounced on the rebound. The lead lasted one minute, Alessandro Potenza's cross was headed clear by Jankulovski but only as far as Dejan Stankovic who hammered his shot into the top hand corner from 25 yards. 1-1. Deep into stoppage time, Pablo Aimar's header was picked up by MOM Shevchenko who ran into the penalty area before placing the ball through the legs of Frey for a very pleasing winner to take AC top of the table.

Clarence Seedorf damaged his elbow during the match and will be out for a week.
Inter 1-2 AC Milan

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19/11/06 - Serie A
Brescia (H)
Team: Dida; Kaladze, Gonzalo, King, Jankulovski; Seedorf, Kaka, Pirlo, Gattuso, Robinho; Shevchenko.

451 kept it's place for this game but Kakha Kaladze only lasted 9 minutes damaging his spine and expected to be out for two months, Paolo Maldini replaced him at left back. On 57 minutes the Milanese captain tucked in a rebound after Jankulovski's speculative 35 yard effort from Kaka's short free-kick. The lead was doubled ten minutes later, gain Maldini involved searching out Seedorf down the left wing and his volleyed cross was headed in by the onrushing Kaka. MOM: Gennaro Gattuso
AC Milan 2-0 Brescia

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22/11/06 - UEFA Champions League, Group A
Porto (A)
Team: Dida, Maldini, Gonzalo, King, Simic; Seedorf, Kaka, Pirlo, Gattuso, Jankulovski; Shevchenko.

The tired Robinho was rested with Jankulovski taking his place on the right-flank and Dario Simic making only his second appearance of the season, first start at right-back and Maldini replaced the injured Kaladze at left-back.

5 minutes in and Dida raced out of his goal to clear long upfield, Jankulovski flicked it on and Shevchenko got in behind and placed passed Helton at his near post. A Maldini free-kick from the left was flicked into the corner of the net by Kaka. The third arrived three minutes later courtesy of another flicked header, this time by Shevchenko from a Simic cross.
Quaresma's penalty was saved by Dida but the rebound fell kindly for him and he smacked the ball home to reduce the defecit. On 65 minutes Porto scored again, Quaresma's free-kick from the left was headed in by Anderson at the back post ahead of Dida. AC Milan had to withstand a barrage of possession, half-chances and chances from Porto and did with Ledley King picking up MOM for his fine defensive display.
Porto 2-3 AC Milan

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26/11/06 - Serie A
Chievo (A)
Team: Dida; Maldini, Gonzalo, King, Simic; Jankulovski, Kaka, Pirlo, Gattuso, Robinho; Gilardino;

Seedorf and Shevchenko rested for the away trip to mid-table Chievo Verona, the Flying Donkeys.

One goal seperated the teams, Gattuso sent Robinho away down the right who got to the byline and cut the ball back to Kaka on the penalty spot who tucked it away with precision. It could have been more but MOM Alberto Fontana kept the visitors at bay with a string of fine saves.
Chievo 0-1 AC Milan