AC Milan Score Late Goals, Inter Defeated

Both of the Milan sides were in action today, but both managed to fight to very different results. AC Milan took on French powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais at San Siro Stadium. Meanwhile, Inter Milan took a trip to El Madrigal Stadium to challenge Villareal for a berth in the UEFA Champions League Semifinal.

In Milan, AC Milan was at a distinct disadvantage, having drawn scoreless in the away leg of their tie with Lyon. In the beginning, the pressure went again AC Milan, with miscues from Brazilian keeper Dida almost resulting in first blood for Lyon. However, contrary to the pressure of the match, Andrei Shevchenko sent a ball to the corner, where Clarence Seedorf managed to track it down. His smooth cross to the center met the head of Filippo Inzaghi, and the ball met the back of the net, giving AC Milan the lead just 25 minutes on.

Not to be outdone, Lyon would dump the pressure back onto the Italian side. In the 31st minute, freekick specialist and Brazilian sensation Juninho would put a masterful shot on net, that would only barely make it to Dida. However, the rebound fell to the head of Mahamadou Diarra, who placed it in the relatively undefended net. This set the score line at 1-1, which would be all that Olympique Lyonnais would need to advance. Just before the half, a streaking Juninho put a chip shot on goal that seemed to handcuff Dida until the very last second, at which time he expertly punhed the ball over the net.

After the half, chances would abound for both sides, with close efforts and narrow misses predominating. At one point, Kaladze put a shot on the Lyon goal, only to have Wiltord, who was all the way back on his goal line, bail out keeper Gregory Coupet. However, all the defense presented by the French side couldn't hold the likes of Kaka, Seedorf, Shevchenko, and Inzaghi forever, and, in the 88th minute, Shevchenko was left all alone, and he beat the French keeper, only to put the ball of both posts. However, before Coupet could recover, Filippo Inzaghi would knock in the loose ball, sealing the goal for AC Milan. Lyon wouldn't give up without a fight, and brought their whole team forward, but to no avail. To cement AC's victory, Ukrainian national Andrei Shevchenko scored a stylish goal 3 minutes into stoppage time, giving AC Milan their victory. AC Milan will now face either FC Barcelona or their Portuguese opponents, SL Benfica.

In the other suspense-filled quarter-final, Internazionale Milano had built up a 2-1 lead while they were at home in San Siro to take to Spain.

The match started out much in Villareal's favor, as they displayed poise and precision. They controlled the ball very well, never panicked under pressure, and successfully moved the ball in for strikes on goal. Villareal kept the ball almost exclusively in the visitor's end, with players like Juan Pablo Sorin, Juan Roman Riquelme and Diego Forlan practically owning the ball. With Alessio Tacchinardi dominating the midfield, it was a surprise that Inter could weather the attack. Chances came early, and they came often, for Villareal. After a brilliant defensive play in the 3rd minute from Marco Materazzi denied what would have been a sure goal for Riquelme, Villareal would squander two more chances in the 28th minute: one from Sorin going to ground incredibly easily, wasting his chance, and the other on a poorly-headed ball from Arruabarrena that should have seen the back of the net, but instead wound up in the arms of Francesco Toldo.

After Tacchinardi squandered a beautiful chance just before the half, Villareal would not be denied in the second half. After Luis Figo surrendered a free kick close to Inter's goal, Riquelme lifted a ball to meet Arruabarrena's lateral charge, and the ball found its way by a helpless Toldo. Now, the man that had eliminated Rangers FC in the previous round was poised to do so again, this time to an Italian side.

With the home crowd roaring, Villareal kept the pressure up, forcing Toldo to make his most outstanding save of the evening. However, the tight defense and classy goaltending would not be enough for Inter Milan on this night, as Adriano and Alvaro Recoba could only watch the ball be moved around them. The lack of an offensive punch from the Italian side allowed Villareal to claim their berth in the UEFA Champions League. Villareal will now have to wait to see if they play English side Arsenal or Italian champions Juventus.