Inzaghi breaks Portsmouth's hearts in UEFA Cup football

AC Milan's veteran striker Pippo Inzaghi netted a last-minute equaliser to deny Tony Adams a first home win as Portsmouth manager in a 2-2 draw in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

Inzaghi, who had earlier hit the woodwork three times, pounced on a loose ball with less than a minute on the clock to earn a point and ensure Milan's safe passage into the knockout stages of the tournament.

It was Inzaghi's 65th career goal in European competition.

Portsmouth had a two-goal margin until the final eight minutes after Younes Kaboul and Kanu netted which woke Milan from a slumber as Ronaldinho's fabulous free-kick provided a platform for poacher Inzaghi to break English hearts.

Adams's squad was stretched to breaking point as the Portsmouth manager was missing five first team players, so much so he did not have enough substitutes to fill his bench.

Kanu, once of Inter Milan, was handed a first start of the season following Jermain Defoe's withdrawal with a back problem.

Adams would have cast an envious eye towards Carlo Ancelotti as Milan's head coach was afforded the luxury of making nine changes from the weekend game against Torino with Alexandre Pato, Clarence Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo and Ronaldinho all named as substitutes.

Portsmouth's tactics of quick passing couple with some dynamic wing-play from Glen Johnson and Armand Traore was evident early on as the Frenchman burst down the left before his cross found its way to Papa Bouba Diop who shot well wide.

Milan appeared content to rely on the counter-attack and they won a dangerous looking free-kick on 11 minutes when Diop crudely brought down Mathieu Flamini.

Andriy Shevchenko's effort rebounded off the wall before squirming its way into Inzaghi whose left-footed shot on the turn beat David James but clipped the post before rolling virtually across the goal-line into the grateful arms of the Portsmouth goalkeeper.

Portsmouth though grew in stature and confidence as the old legs of Kanu began to exert influence on the game.

Milan were shocked into retaliation as Gennaro Gatusso's through-ball clipped off the feet of Kaboul, lifting it over Sylvain Distin and into Inzaghi in space.

The former Italian international did everything right lobbing the on-rushing James but the ball clipped agonisingly off the top of the crossbar.

Just after the hour Portsmouth had the lead as a Johnson free-kick from deep was not cleared allowing Kanu to return a pass to the England international. The full-back's return cross found the towering figure of Kaboul to power a header past Dida.

Seedorf was introduced as Ancelotti desperately strived to restore some stability to his midfield which continued to crumble. As the Milan coach prepared to introduce Ronaldinho and Pato they were two down.

Johnson sent a perfect low cross into Kanu who, despite losing his balance, wrapped his gangling legs around the ball to score his first goal since May's FA Cup Final win at Wembley.

A Seedorf cross led to Inzaghi striking the woodwork once more, this time with a diving header but a hush soon descended across a fervent Fratton Park as Ronaldinho picked his spot in James' top corner from 30 yards on 84 minutes.

As nerves were shredded Portsmouth retreated further back and their passing rhythm and control withered away in the face of Ronaldinho and Seedorf's ability.

With less than a minute to go the pressure finally told as a long-ball hoisted into the area found its way to Inzaghi who netted from close-range.

You must sign in to comment