Milan Come Back To Win Super Cup

Milan 3-1 Sevilla

In a match dominated by memories of Antonio Puerta, Milan came from a goal down to beat Sevilla and win the European Super Cup.

Renato put Sevilla ahead in the 14th minute, but Philippo Inzaghi pulled things back after the break with a trade-mark poaching header. Jankulovski put Milan in the lead with a scorching volley, before Kaka settled it with one for himself.

Sevilla may have been unable to win the trophy in honour of their fallen team-mate, but the evening was a fitting tribute to Puerta as both teams paid homage to the 22-year-old who passed away on Tuesday.

Banners, flags and placards paying tribute to Puerta covered the Sevilla end of the stadium, while both teams donned the player's name below the numbers on their shirts throughout the game.

There was a touching moment at half-time from the Milan supporters as a group walked along the running track before displaying a banner paying their own homage to the Sevilla number 16 in front of the Spanish clubs' fans.

On the pitch, the speed and intensity of the game was also a fitting way to remember Puerta as both sides went about the game with a desire to win.

Daniel Alves started the game and put an end to rumours and reports that he would leave Sevilla for Real Madrid.



The UEFA Cup holders enjoyed the brighter opening as Renato went close with a shot after he latched onto a rebound, before Alves turned the ball onto his own post at the other end as he prevented Kaká from shooting.

In minute 14 the deadlock was broken when Renato met a corner at the far post and his downward header beat Dida and crept inside the near post.

The Sevilla players all gathered together and pointed to the heavens as one, while none of the coaching staff or substitutes celebrated the goal.

Inzaghi looked to help draw his team level when taking a dramatic dive in the area before Sevilla casused panic in the Milan defence.

Frédéric Kanouté raced onto a wayward pass from Gennaro Gattuso and, after rounding Dida, pull the ball back only for Renato to take a touch before shooting.

His effort was prevented from going in by Alessandro Nesta and Duda blazed over as he ran onto the loose ball.

Calrence Seedorf had the Italians' clearest chance of the half when he flung himself at a corner, but his header flew over Andrés Palop's goal.

Before the break Inzaghi warmed the Sevilla keeper's gloves, Kanouté shot over from 20 yards out and Milan had a goal ruled out for offside.

The second half saw Milan tighten things up as the long week began to finally take its toll on the Sevilla players.

An equaliser arrived ten minutes after the restart when Gattuso lifted a cross over from the right and Inzaghi was unmarked in the centre of the goal to nod home from close range.

Just seven minutes later Sevilla fell behind for the first time, but it was to a tremendous striker as Andrea Pirlo's long pass picked out Marek Jankulovski on the left of the area and he sent an incredible volley back into the far corner of the goal.

The Spanish side tried to make a comeback of their own, but Milan's defence remained strong as Alves shot overn and Seydou Keita headed over.

A clumsy challenge ended the game as a contest Kaká edged his way down the right of the area only to be felled by Ivica Dragutinovic.

The Brazilian saw his resulting penalty kick kept out by Palop's face, but the ball dropped kindly and Kaká was able to head the ball into an empty net.

In a powerful gesture, Kaká untucked his shirt and pointed to Puerta's name in his own personal homage, while Seedorf too paid his respects by displaying the name of the former Sevilla player when leaving the field to be substituted.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov created a fine chance to reduce the deficit in the closing moments as he headed the ball back across goal, but Enzo Maresca arrived just too late and steered his effort against the outside of the post.