Kaka inspires Milan comeback
(sportinglife.com)
Updated: 2004-03-24 09:09

AC Milan smashed three goals in the space of seven second-half minutes to secure a comfortable 4-1 victory over Deportivo La Coruna in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.

AC Milan Brazilian soccer star Kaka celebrates after scoring during the Champions League, quarter-final, first leg soccer match against Deportivo La Coruna at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, March 23, 2004. [AP]

It was the the Spanish visitors who got off to a brighter start, appearing sharper and more alert in the opening period of play.

They were duly rewarded in the 11th minute when Pandiani headed home from six yards following a cross from Cavdevila.

Milan set the mood for their comeback when immediately after the goal they won a corner.

Though that came to nothing it sparked the Rossoneri into life.

Having fired a couple of good chances straight at Molina, the impressive Kaka eventually got Milan's equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

A cross from Cafu found the Brazilian playmaker unmarked and he took the ball down on his thigh before firing a low shot into the Deportivo goal.

If Milan finished the first half strongly they began the second by positively crushing their visitors.

Straight from the re-start they built up the right before Shevchenko turned wonderfully, jinked into the box then cracked a shot past Molina to hand the hosts the lead.

Just four minutes later the imperious Kaka extended the European champions' advantage when he pounced on Mauro Silva's hesitation on the edge of the area and smashed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

Pirlo completed the rout when he curled a free-kick past Molina to make it 4-1 though the Deportivo goalkeeper should have done better.

There was still over 30 minutes to go following Pirlo's strike but Deportivo could not get themselves back into the tie by netting a second and the Italians will be confident of progress to the semi-finals.

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