20 February 2006, by Sean Gillen

Rui Costa leapfrogs Figo

AC Milan 1-0 Cagliari

Rui Costa appeared as a late substitute as Milan closed the gap on leaders Juventus with victory over a hard-working Cagliari side at the San Siro.

The Portuguese legend was brought on with 20 minutes to go to bring some additional creativity as Milan looked to kill off spirited resistance from the Sardinians.

Cagliari started the game with the intention of frustrating the home side with lots of men behind the ball but Milan were patient and created chances in the early stages of the game. Filipo Inzaghi found space to get on the end of a cross from Brazilian winger Serginho but headed wide on 22 minutes.

One minute later and Inzaghi was involved in the game’s crucial moment as he turned brilliantly in the box only to be brought down by Cagliari defenders Francesco Bega and Michele Ferri and referee Emidio Morganti immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Alberto Gilardino stepped up and sent goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti the wrong way to score his 15th goal in Serie A this season.

The away side showed plenty of effort in the second half but struggled to break down the Milan defence.

Costa’s calming influence

Rui Costa’s introduction for goalscorer Gilardino in the closing stages coincided with Milan regaining most of the possession and the home side almost doubled their advantage when midfielder Clarence Seedorf played a neat one-two with Kaka but Chimenti was again on hand to deny the Dutchman with a save low to his right.

The victory moves Milan above city rivals Inter and to within 10 points of leaders Juventus after both could only draw on Saturday against Livorno and Messina respectively.

However, after the match both manager Carlo Ancelotti and vice-president Adriano Galliani made it clear that the Champions League was now the main priority for the Rossoneri and all attention was now focused on the upcoming clash with Bayern Munich in Germany on Tuesday.


AC Milan:
Dida, Stam (Simic, 45), Nesta, Kaladze, Serginho, Gattuso, Vogel, Seedorf, Kaka (Jankulovski, 85), Gilardino (Rui Costa, 72), Inzaghi
Yellow Cards: None

Cagliari:
Chimenti, Bega, Ferri, Canini, Agostini (Cossu, 86), Gobbi, Conticchio (Capone, 68), Abeijon (Budel, 28), Conti, Esposito, Suazo
Yellow Cards: Canini (22), Conticchio (61), Bega (78)

Goals:
[1-0] Gilardino, pen (23)