Ancelotti salutes majestic Milan

AC Milan produced a display reminiscent of their former glory days to take apart RC Deportivo La Coruña 4-0 in their much-anticipated UEFA Champions League Group G contest.

Capable of winning
This was not just a performance that should win the five-times European Champion Clubs' Cup winners the group, it was one that singled the Italian giants out as being capable of winning the tournament as a whole.

Inzaghi impressive
Filippo Inzaghi was the hero of the night as he claimed a magnificent hat-trick to continue his impressive early season form. The Italian international striker could have had six, but, having completed his hat-trick with goals in the 33rd, 55th and 62nd minutes, he spurned three further golden opportunities to score.

Attacking flair
Inzaghi was not alone in missing late chances – Rivaldo and substitute Jon Dahl Tomasson also failed to score when given good opportunities. Yet this late profligacy could not dampen what had been a breathtaking attacking display. "All my players were good, but my attackers interpreted the flow of the game particularly well," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Seedorf central
Ancelotti was reluctant to single out one player, but when pressed, he cited midfield player Clarence Seedorf as being worthy of special praise. "Seedorf has a great personality. He really gets us going," Ancelotti said. "He made a very good contribution to the game tonight."

Missing link
Seedorf may have exerted his impressive influence, but it was the absence of one of the opposition's brightest lights player which Ancelotti felt more important. "The absence of Juan Valerón was critical," he said. "The fact that he was not playing made a real difference."

No excuses
Deportivo coach Javier Irureta disagreed with Ancelotti's assessment of the importance of the missing Valerón - ruled out of action for two months with a fractured fibia. "When we conceded four goals in losing to Real Betis [Balompié], Valerón was on the pitch. So I do not think we can use this an excuse."

'Too good'
There was little of the grit that had characterised Deportivo's dramatic 3-2 away victory over FC Bayern München last week, and Irureta was dismayed by his side's performance. However, he was full of praise for his opposition. "We found it difficult to cope against such a great opponent," he said. "We tried to get the initiative in the early stages but Milan were too good."

Optimistic for the future
Irureta did try to draw some positives from the game though, and was optimistic about Deportivo's continued participation in the tournament. "We were unlucky with some early chances," he added. "Then Milan got two chances and scored them both. We had as much possession as them and as many shots. But goalscoring was the difference. We have sustained some psychological damage, but we have three points after two tough games. Now we must beat [RC] Lens twice and we will be in a good position. You have to be optimistic."

Belated pleasure
Irureta may have endured a harrowing night on the bench, but Ancelotti revealed he had not enjoyed the performance until the result was made safe in the second period. "I can honestly say that I only really enjoyed the last ten minutes," Ancelotti conceded

Famous performance
It was a famous performance from Milan that brought to mind the side's that so dominated European football at the turn of the 1990s. With Bayern only drawing 1-1 at Lens in the group's other game, Milan now comfortably top the section, and will be favourites to progress to the next stage. However, on the back of this performance, their ambitions should reach much further into the tournament than that.