| ||
| ||
| ||
 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kaka grabs late winner for Milan
BRUGES, Belgium -- Brazilian forward Kaka struck with four minutes to go as 10-man AC Milan overcame the loss of central defenders Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini to beat Club Bruges 1-0 and top Champions League Group H. Nesta was sent off on 37 minutes for his second yellow card, just three minutes after captain Maldini limped off injured. In the group's other game, Celta Vigo beat Ajax 3-2 for their first win of the competition. Having dominated the early stages, European champions Milan were made to fight by their Belgian hosts following Nesta's dismissal for a foul in midfield on Andres Mendoza. Mendoza came closest for the home side on 54 minutes, the Peruvian striker beating Milan keeper Dida but heading against the bar. Allan Stoica also forced a great save from the Brazilian keeper. But Milan were rewarded for their resilience when Kaka blasted home a magnificent 20-meter volley to seal their win. "Milan showed their strength and unity in this match and it will give us more strength for the rest of the competition now," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "The players showed great character and great heart." Celta Vigo improved their chances of surviving the first round with a breathless win over Ajax. Peter Luccin struck from the penalty spot on 25 minutes after a foul on Savo Milosevic, and Milosevic doubled their lead before halftime with a powerful header. Ajax hit back when Wesley Sonck headed in Maxwell's cross, but midfielder Vagner beat his marker and fired in from inside the area to restore Celta's two-goal lead. Rafael van der Vaart restored Dutch hopes with eight minutes to go, but Ajax's frustrations mounted as Zdenek Grygera picked up a red card in the last minute. Milan lead the group with seven points from four games, one ahead of Ajax, two clear of Celta Vigo and three ahead of Club Bruges.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
