29 January 2007, by Sean Gillen

Couto’s Parma denied by late winner

AC Milan 1-0 Parma

A goal fifteen minutes from time from Filippo Inzaghi denied Parma what would have been a precious point against Milan at the San Siro. Fernando Couto was part of a strong Gialloblu defence that appeared to be heading for a surprise result, until the substitute’s late winner.

Parma went into the game searching for their first away win of the season, and looking to end a run of fourteen winless matches in Serie A away from the Ennio Tardini stadium.

Milan started the game as clear favourites, and it was no surprise to see the Rossoneri on the front foot immediately. Seedorf had already forced Bucci into a save before Kaka fired over from close range on five minutes after some great build-up play involving Brocchi and Gilardino.

Having survived the early pressure, Parma looked comfortable in containing their opponents for large parts of the game, and recent signing Giuseppe Rossi looked bright in the attacking third as the visitors hoped to hit Milan on the counter attack.

Milan had a penalty appeal turned away when Gilardino headed a Massimo Oddo cross against Couto from close range, but play was waved on. Gilardinho was then blocked by Parma ‘keeper Bucci from a tight angle after being found by Seedorf.

Although at times showing some neat touches and good link-up play, Parma were generally restricted to long-range efforts on goal, and Milan goalkeeper Dida had little trouble dealing with 20-metre shots from Morfeo and Budan.

Parma reached the break on level terms, but Milan began the second half with strong intent, and found themselves creating good attacking situations through the channels inside the opening five minutes of the second period.

The best chance of the opening hour came when Seedorf did well to create room on the left and crossed for Inzaghi to head over the bar. Just two minutes later and Gilardino’s superb first touch took him away from Couto, but he was denied by a strong left-armed save from Bucci.

Despite Milan having most of the possession and clearly being the most likely team to break the deadlock, Parma’s defence, including the impressive Armando Perna, were coping relatively well with the majority of attacks.

However, Parma’s reluctance to commit men forward gave them little goal threat, which made it easier for their opponents to press for the opener, as there were rarely any more than two Parma players in the Milan half.

Gilardino missed another good headed chance after some excellent play from Kaka, before Milan got the all important breakthrough in somewhat fortunate circumstances with less than fifteen minutes remaining.

Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick was meant as a shot on goal, but the ball was fired straight at Inzaghi, and the veteran forward was slightly lucky to somehow control the ball, which set him up to fire home from close range.

Parma never looked likely to draw back on level terms, and did not offer a serious threat for the remainder of the game as Milan showed the difference in class between the sides by keeping the ball and playing the clock down to secure the win.

Milan:
Dida, Oddo, Jankulovski, Bonera, Maldini, Gattuso, Brocchi (Inzaghi, 29), Pirlo, Seedorf (Gourcuff, 72), Kaka, Gilardino (Oliveira, 72)
Yellow Cards: None

Parma:
Bucci, Paci, Ferronetti (Coly, 66), Perna, Couto, Castellini, Grella, Bolano (Dessena, 75), Morfeo, Rossi, Budan (Muslimovic, 62)
Yellow Cards: Grella (72), Morfeo (88)

Goals:
[1-0] Inzaghi, 76