Shevchenko to the rescue
Andrei Shevchenko's header in the seventh minute of stoppage time gave league leaders AC Milan a last-gasp 2-2 draw against Chievo on Sunday as the European champions recovered from being two goals down at half-time to earn a precious point at the San Siro.
Milan's surprise slip-up gave title-holders Juventus a tiny glimmer of hope of retaining the Scudetto as they defeated struggling Modena 3-1 in Turin to leapfrog Roma into second-place.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Roma fell to third after losing 2-1 at home to Bologna, but they do have a game in hand on Milan and have to play the European champions.
Milan have 68 points from their 27 matches played, nine more than Juve and 11 ahead of Roma, who have played a match less than their two championship rivals.
Shevchenko admitted the busy fixture schedule was taking its toll on weary legs.
"We were a bit tired and not our usual brilliant selves, but it is normal after so many games," he said.
"The important thing is that we never gave up and managed to come back and take a point. It was a very difficult game, but Milan showed great character."
Milan president, Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, applauded Chievo for giving his star-studded team many awkward moments.
"The result was fair as Chievo played a great match," he said.
"They showed great technique and tactical sense, but credit to my players for not giving up hope.
"In certain moments we failed to do the easiest things, but it is a good draw."
Milan, so impressive in their 4-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna five days ago, struggled to contain the Verona minnows whose quick counter-attacks brought them two first-half goals from Giuseppe Sculli and Simone Perrotta.
The home side threw everything at Chievo in the second-half and were rewarded 10 minutes from time as Andrea Pirlo's 30-yard screamer found the top corner.
With Chievo clinging on desperately, Milan's last throw of the dice was a high ball into the box from Manuel Rui Costa, and Shevchenko rose above a posse of players to head in his 20th goal of the campaign.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti made just one change to the team that was so impressive in defeating Deportivo La Coruna 4-1 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson replacing Shevchenko in attack.
Milan may have been irresistible against the Spaniards but they looked disjointed in the early stages against a Chievo side who love nothing more than upsetting the odds and the visitors took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute.
Brazilian winger Luciano broke down the left and delivered a low ball into the box for Federico Cossato whose clever dummy set up Giuseppe Sculli and his fierce shot gave Milan keeper Nelson Dida no chance.
Worse was to follow for Milan six minutes before half-time.
Luciano played in Simone Perrotta on the right-hand side of the box and he cut inside Milan captain Paolo Maldini to fire an unstoppable left-foot shot high into the net.
Just as it seemed as it was going to be one of those days for Milan, Pirlo's piledriver nearly broke the net before Shevchenko, who had replaced Tomasson at half-time, completed the comeback with almost the last touch of the game.
French striker David Trezeguet scored twice as Juve overcame struggling Modena at the Delle Alpi stadium, while Albanian striker Igli Tare netted a 78th minute winner as Bologna won at Roma.
Lazio and Parma enusured the battle for the fourth and final Champions League place will go right down to the wire with victories over Perugia and Empoli respectively.
Inter Milan, the only Italian survivors in the UEFA Cup, continued their improving form with a 2-0 victory at relegation-threatend Reggina.
Cedric Konan scored a late equaliser as Lecce drew 2-2 at Sampdoria, while an early Tore Andre Flo goal gave Siena the edge over Udinese.
Bottom club Ancona were thrashed 5-2 at Brescia for whom Roberto Baggio scored twice.
Comments