Milan double hopes hurt by semi-final draw
Reuters - Wednesday 20 April 2011, 21:17
MILAN - AC Milan's hopes of a first
domestic double suffered a hiccup when they drew 2-2 at home to
Palermo in the Italian Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Milan, six points clear in Serie A, took the lead after four
minutes when Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned in a deep Massimo Oddo
cross at the far post as the Swede returned in the midst of a
three-game league ban.
However, Palermo levelled after a beautifully-crafted goal
from Argentina playmaker Javier Pastore on 14 minutes and surged
ahead when Uruguayan forward Abel Hernandez scored from a tight
angle early in the second period.
Milan substitute Urby Emanuelson grabbed the equaliser by
netting a loose ball after good work from Ibrahimovic but the
hosts, who had a number of other chances despite fielding a
weakened team, will be annoyed to have only drawn.
"Now let's think about the championship," Milan coach
Massimiliano Allegri told Rai TV.
"We risked letting in a third goal but we could have also
scored one. Tonight the most important thing was not to lose."
Rossoneri midfielder Andrea Pirlo made his first start in
over two months after knee trouble.
The return leg in the much-maligned competition takes place
in Sicily on May 10.
In Tuesday's first semi-final first leg, holders Inter Milan
won 1-0 at AS Roma.