Milan muted as Lokomotiv charge
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Article summary
AC Milan and Real Madrid secured away draws while there were wins for FC Lokomotiv Moskva and Arsenal FC.
Article body
While reigning European champions AC Milan were held in Prague, FC Lokomotiv Moskva leapt back into action with a 2-1 defeat of AS Monaco FC as the UEFA Champions League first knockout round began. Recent champions Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern München drew and Arsenal FC won 3-2 at RC Celta de Vigo.
Lokomotiv steam
Despite not having played a competitive match for eleven weeks, Lokomotiv steamed into a 2-0 lead against the French Ligue 1 leaders. Amstel Man of the Match Marat Izmailov gave the home side a 32nd-minute advantage with a superb strike and Vladimir Maminov doubled the advantage just before the hour, pouncing on Vadim Evseev's lay-off. Fernando Morientes's header pulled one back 21 minutes from time to give Monaco hope for the second leg.
Holders' stalemate
In a more cagey game in Prague, Milan and AC Sparta Praha fought out a goalless draw. Vladimír Labant's last-ditch tackle on Filippo Inzaghi ten minutes in cut out the best chance, while Dida made a diving save from Karel Poborský soon after. Gennaro Gattuso and Cafu were both booked for Milan as the holders held out for a draw.
Honours even
An unusual goal by Roberto Carlos gave Madrid a share of the spoils against Bayern. It had seemed likely that Roy Makaay would be the toast of Munich after his goal put the home side 1-0 up, but with seven minutes remaining, the Brazilian full-back benefitted from a fumble by Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, who allowed a free-kick to creep into the corner underneath his body.
Elusive win
In the evening's other game, Arsenal were twice pegged back by a battling Celta side in the Balaídos before finally chalking up their first-ever win on Spanish soil. Brazilian midfield player Edu twice put the English Premiership leaders ahead, first poking in from close range after heading down a Robert Pires free-kick, then skipping through two challenges in the second half before curling in a right-foot effort. The home side drew level first through their own Edu and then through José Ignacio Sáenz. However, Pires sealed Arsenal's win with ten minutes remaining.
