AC Milan produced a vintage performance to thrash Manchester United 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League semi-final at San Siro, storming to the final on a 5-3 aggregate win. Brazilian magician Kaka put the Rossoneri in front after 11 minutes, Clarence Seedorf made it two at the half-hour, and Alberto Gilardino came off the bench to complete the damage on 78 minutes. Milan denied an all-English final, as they will face Liverpool on May 23rd at the Athens Olympic Stadium in Greece in a repeat of the 2005 final. The Red Devils started the game without key defender Rio Ferdinand, who was still suffering with injury, and the United defense looked vulnerable without him. The home side needed just 11 minutes to make their mark, when Seedorf released Kaka with a swift pass, and the Brazilian sensation made it 3 in 2 games against United, with a left-footed drive from outside the box. Dutch midfield maestro Seedorf turned from provider to scorer, when he smashed a cracking volley after brilliantly avoiding the attentions of Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic.
The Rossoneri controlled possession, with the dominating figures of midfield trio Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini. Eight minutes into the second half, Kaka had a chance to put the tie to bed, when he cut inside with a perfect back heel dribble, leaving Vidic on the ground, but Edwin Van Der Sar was equal to his close-range effort. Carlo Ancelotti's men slowed down the afterwards, but the Red Devils did not seem to bring much danger on Dida's goal. United ventured forward, leaving an exposed backline subject to counter attack inroads by Milan. Ancelotti fielded in Gilardino for Filippo Inzaghi, and the Italy striker finished the game for the Italian giants 11 minutes after his introduction. Ambrosini released Gilardino, who found himself in acres of space, and the former Parma forward steered home perfectly past Van Der Sar.
