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Rivaldo debut boosts Milan Sunday 18 August, 2002
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Rivaldo’s debut saw Milan’s best performance of the season so far in the Trofeo Berlusconi clash with Juventus.
The Rossoneri were without the injured Andriy Shevchenko, but the Ukrainian was in the stands to watch this encounter. His presence disproved Russian news reports suggesting the ruptured knee ligament was a hoax and that he was already in Kiev.
It mattered little as all eyes were on Brazilian Rivaldo’s white boots. He started the match behind front two Filippo Inzaghi and Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Andrea Pirlo took over from Manuel Rui Costa in the deeper midfield playmaker role.
The former Barcelona star made a positive first impression, passing the ball around well, although his many long-range shots were wayward.
Juventus put the rhombus tactic – Alessandro Del Piero in a deeper role with Pavel Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi out wide – to one side for this match, going back to the line-up that had helped earn them the Scudetto last season.
Milan dominated the first half and called Gianluigi Buffon into action with a Filippo Inzaghi header and curling Pirlo free kick, while Gennaro Gattuso’s piledriver whistled past the upright.
Former Juventus man Inzaghi had the best opportunity, but after getting past Buffon he incredibly hit the sidenetting of an open goal.
Juventus made two changes at half-time and were more vibrant, going close with a looping Del Piero header and curling effort from the Italian international.
Rivaldo lasted an hour before being rested, while former Chelsea midfielder Samuele Dalla Bona also made his debut.
Milan again made an impact on the Juventus defence, but Buffon was able to punch out Tomasson’s close-range effort.
It ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and for the third year running this trophy went to a penalty shoot-out.
Juventus had a disastrous run from the spot as only one out of four was successfully converted.
Camoranesi fired over, Marcelo Salas’ tame effort was saved before Davide Baiocco converted at the third attempt. Ciro Ferrara also saw his final spot-kick saved.
For Milan Clarence Seedorf, Rui Costa and Pirlo hit the back of the net to give the Rossoneri the trophy.
Milan 0-0 Juventus (3-1 on pens)
Milan: Dida; Simic (Contra 81), Laursen, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso (Dalla Bona 62), Pirlo, Seedorf; Rivaldo (Rui Costa 62); Inzaghi (Borriello 72), Tomasson
Juventus: Buffon; Thuram, Iuliano (Ferrara 68), Montero, Moretti; Brighi, Davids (Baiocco 46), Tacchinardi (Zenoni 75); Nedved (Camoranesi 71); Del Piero, Zalayeta (Salas 46)
Ref: Treossi
From Football Italia