AC Milan coach Ancelotti happy despite goal drought
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-09-27 09:04 LENS, France - Coach Carlo
Ancelotti was satisfied with AC Milan's performance despite a goalless draw away
to Lille in Champions League Group H on Tuesday.
"It was an excellent performance from AC Milan, we had very good chances," he
told reporters.
Milan, who started their European campaign brightly with a 3-0 win over AEK
Athens two weeks ago, have failed to score in their last two matches.
They have only netted five goals in their four first Serie A matches and seem
to be sorely missing Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko, who has scored 57 goals
in the European Cup but now plies his trade with English champions Chelsea.
His replacement, Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira, is much less prolific while
Alberto Gilardino has yet to score after 13 Champions League appearances for the
six-times European champions. Only Filippo Inzaghi, 33, is a proven
match-winner.
However, Ancelotti was unfazed, adding: "It was not an easy match. I am
satisfied with our display tonight. It is true we have not scored but we have
had opportunities."
Their clearest chance came after 52 minutes when midfielder Clarence Seedorf
had a goal harshly disallowed for offside.
Ancelotti's counterpart, Claude Puel, praised his players for their
watertight performance after Lille had conceded seven goals in their last two
Ligue 1 games.
"We played a great match and we still have chances to qualify (for the
knockout stages)," he said.
"Tonight, the players have learnt a lot and it is very interesting for the
future of this squad."
Fullback Mathieu Chalme added: "We did what we had to do. It's a good 0-0
draw. If we grab three points against AEK Athens we will be in a good position."
Lille host the Greek side in their next Champions League match on October 17.
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