Carlo Ancelotti has dedicated the European Super Cup win to Antonio Puerta, the Sevilla player who died this week.
"Of course, we dedicate this trophy to Puerta. The game was played despite the atmosphere of great sadness. It was very difficult for all of us, but it was decided it had to go ahead and so we played."
Milan won the trophy 3-1 at the Stade Louis II in Monaco and all the players had Puerta’s name under the number on their jerseys.
The 22-year-old Spaniard died this week after suffering multiple cardiac arrests, starting from his collapse on the pitch against Getafe in the opening La Liga match last Saturday.
"As for the football, Sevilla are a tough team and we were under pressure for the first half-hour, but then found our way and managed to turn the game around," continued Ancelotti.
The Rossoneri were trailing 1-0 at half-time to Renato’s goal, but turned it all around through Pippo Inzaghi, Marek Jankulovski and Kaka. "We were a little held back in the first half and relaxed a lot more after the break, playing better football."
Milan win their fifth European Super Cup – more than any other club – after victories in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003.
"We have had a good start to the season, now the ‘real’ campaign kicks off and we are convinced we are competitive on all fronts."
Inzaghi’s brace secured the Champions League trophy in Athens back in May against Liverpool and 2007-08 started the same way, with Super Pippo on target in a Final, his 59th European goal.
"Inzaghi is an Immortal, especially when it comes to goals. He’s always there on the scoresheet."
The celebrations after the match were very muted and all the Milan players went under the Sevilla end to applaud the fans, who reciprocated, in a moment of rare unity in football.
Sevilla star Enzo Maresca also praised the Italian side for the way they reacted to the tragic events of the past few days.
"The club Milan proved themselves up to the situation and behaved impeccably throughout this week," said the former Juventus midfielder.
"I think that there are no words for what we feel. We tried to do our duty and managed that. It was a shame not to win, but the important thing was to play. How it went was almost irrelevant."
"Of course, we dedicate this trophy to Puerta. The game was played despite the atmosphere of great sadness. It was very difficult for all of us, but it was decided it had to go ahead and so we played."
Milan won the trophy 3-1 at the Stade Louis II in Monaco and all the players had Puerta’s name under the number on their jerseys.
The 22-year-old Spaniard died this week after suffering multiple cardiac arrests, starting from his collapse on the pitch against Getafe in the opening La Liga match last Saturday.
"As for the football, Sevilla are a tough team and we were under pressure for the first half-hour, but then found our way and managed to turn the game around," continued Ancelotti.
The Rossoneri were trailing 1-0 at half-time to Renato’s goal, but turned it all around through Pippo Inzaghi, Marek Jankulovski and Kaka. "We were a little held back in the first half and relaxed a lot more after the break, playing better football."
Milan win their fifth European Super Cup – more than any other club – after victories in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003.
"We have had a good start to the season, now the ‘real’ campaign kicks off and we are convinced we are competitive on all fronts."
Inzaghi’s brace secured the Champions League trophy in Athens back in May against Liverpool and 2007-08 started the same way, with Super Pippo on target in a Final, his 59th European goal.
"Inzaghi is an Immortal, especially when it comes to goals. He’s always there on the scoresheet."
The celebrations after the match were very muted and all the Milan players went under the Sevilla end to applaud the fans, who reciprocated, in a moment of rare unity in football.
Sevilla star Enzo Maresca also praised the Italian side for the way they reacted to the tragic events of the past few days.
"The club Milan proved themselves up to the situation and behaved impeccably throughout this week," said the former Juventus midfielder.
"I think that there are no words for what we feel. We tried to do our duty and managed that. It was a shame not to win, but the important thing was to play. How it went was almost irrelevant."
[Match Report]
Source: C4 Football Italia
Source: C4 Football Italia
Puerta appeared as a substitute as Sevilla defeated Barcelona 3-0 in the principality last year, and had tonight's game played in his honour following his death on Tuesday. It was to his team-mates' credit that they played with such verve in a first half which saw them open the scoring through Renato, only to be undone by second-half strikes from Filippo Inzaghi, Marek Jankulovski and Kaka as the Rossoneri added this trophy to the Champions League won in May.
Another divine Pirlo crossfield pass found Kaka and Ivica Dragutinovic mistimed his tackle to snap at the Brazilian’s ankle. Kaka took the penalty himself and it was saved by Palop, but the ball ricocheted off his face and back on to the Milan man’s head. The goal was scored under the Sevilla end and Kaka celebrated by pointing to the ‘Puerta’ name on the back of his Milan shirt.
The 19-year-old caught the eye in Lazio's Champions League third qualifying round win at Dinamo Bucharest this week and could now play in the Group 1 games on 7 and 11 September. De Silvestri previously captained Italy at U-17 and U-19 levels.
Palermo qualified automatically for this stage through Serie A and have to overcome Czech outfit Mlada Boleslav. The Rosnaero shouldn’t underestimate the Gambrinus Liga side as they stunned French giants Marseille at this stage last term.
A 1-1 draw at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris proved enough for Sampdoria to overcome Hajduk Split 2-1 on aggregate in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round and book a place in the UEFA Cup proper.
Ranieri, who saved Parma from almost certain relegation last season, took the opportunity to test out the new midfield partnership of Sergio Almiron and Tiago Mendes.
Catania played out a 0-0 draw at Triestina despite playing with 10 men for nearly 90 minutes of football, as Christian Terlizzi saw red just half an hour in.
Udinese had absolutely no problems sweeping Serie B team Bari aside 3-0. Paolucci opened the scoring and closed it, while Antonio Di Natale marked his comeback by converting a penalty. The Friulani set up a date with Palermo in the next phase of the competition.
In an interview on Tuesday in the online daily Affaritaliani.it, Piero Volpi said Puerta would not have passed Italian football's rigorous screening process.
He was taken to an intensive care unit for treatment and Sevilla later announced he had suffered a heart attack. On Tuesday it was confirmed that Puerta, who earned one cap for Spain, had died.
Lazio teetered on the brink of a Champions League exit before a second-half comeback took them past Dinamo Bucharest and into the group stage - winning 4-2 on aggregate.
The 22-year-old player collapsed on Saturday during the Liga game with Getafe and, although he walked off the pitch, suffered five cardiac arrests before he lost his fight for life in hospital.
The tactician was suspended by UEFA and given a 6,000 Euro fine for "bringing football into disrepute" with his "inappropriate remarks made in an interview to the French newspaper Le Parisien."
