Serie A Week 10 - 23/10/03 (20.30)
Chievo 0 - 2 Milan
Shevchenko 45, 50 (M)
Stadio Bentegodi
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Andriy Shevchenko celebrated his 100th official goal for the club as Milan finally beat their Stadio Bentegodi taboo.
Milan needed a win here to maintain the title pace set by Juventus and Roma, but they had never before taken all three points from the Stadio Bentegodi. Chievo have earned a 3-2 victory and a 1-1 draw during their previous encounters here, but the Rossoneri did run out 5-2 winners in last year's Coppa Italia.
Brazilians Kaka' and Marcos Cafu were rested following their 2006 World Cup qualifiers in South America, while Jon Dahl Tomasson stepped in for the not 100 per cent fit Pippo Inzaghi. There were problems in defence with Paolo Maldini, Kakha Kaladze and Dario Simic all out of action.
Chievo had an aggressive start and Salvatore Lanna had the first shot on goal after four minutes.
Milan slowly began to settle in to the match and fans thought Manuel Rui Costa had finally scored his first goal for the club, but his fierce drive was fingertipped inches wide of the post.
Massimo Ambrosini then whistled a powerful effort wide from almost 30 metres, while goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani charged off his line to block an Andriy Shevchenko counter-attack.
There was controversy before the break when Chievo Coach Gigi Del Neri was sent off for dissent.
Milan were threatening a goal and it eventually came in first half stoppage time. Gennaro Gattuso swept a fine cross into the centre for an Andriy Shevchenko free header. The Ukrainian has now celebrated his 100th official goal in a Rossoneri jersey.
At the dawn of the second half Shevchenko made it two when he sprung the offside trap on a Rui Costa pass and slammed in at the near post. Chievo claimed that the goal should have been disallowed, but Fabio Moro appeared to be keeping several players onside.
Mario Alberto Santana was unable to start due to a thigh problem, but tried to introduce some creativity in the second half along with Under-21 international Giuseppe Sculli.
Milan thought they had earned a third on the hour mark when Rui Costa set up Tomasson, but the Dane's effort cannoned off the crossbar and back out with the goalkeeper beaten.
The Rossoneri dominated and Tomasson was clear on goal when he was dragged back by Salvatore Lanna. The captain was only booked as another defender was close by.
Clarence Seedorf replaced Shevchenko and with his first touch brought a tough save out of Marchegiani, aiming his powerful drive from over 30 metres. Carlo Ancelotti gave Under-21 international hitman Marco Borriello a rare outing in the final five minutes.
Chievo's first shot on goal was in the 86th minute, Amauri's low drive bringing a comfortable save out of Dida. Soon after he blocked a header from the young Brazilian.
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Chievo: Marchegiani; Moro, Sala, Barzagli, Lanna; Morrone, Perrotta, Baronio (Sculli 55), De Franceschi (Santana 52); Pellissier (Pinilla 71), Amauri
Milan: Dida; Costacurta, Nesta, Laursen, Pancaro; Gattuso, Pirlo (Redondo 83), Rui Costa, Ambrosini; Shevchenko (Seedorf 74), Tomasson (Borriello 85)
Ref: Farina