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Grabbing one late Milan salvages point with draw in Paris
Updated: Wednesday February 21, 2001 4:36 AM
PARIS (AP) -- AC Milan forward Jose Mari scored in the first minute of injury time to draw 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain Tuesday in a second phase Champions Cup game. The equalizer was bitterly disappointing for the host, which played aggressively throughout the game and appeared within grasp of a sorely needed victory. PSG striker Laurent Robert opened the scoring with a superb free-kick in the 75th minute. Shooting from just outside the penalty area, Robert sent the ball curving round the defensive wall and rolling into the left corner of the goal, inches past 'keeper Christian Abbiati's outstretched hand. But just as the Paris club looked set to claim its first win in the second phase of the Champions Cup, Jose Mari connected with a driving pass deep into the penalty area from Demetrio Albertini, sending the ball whistling past goalie Lionel Letizi. PSG lies at the bottom of Group B with two points, while AC Milan has 6 points. The French club needs to win its next two Champions Cup matches to have any chance of reaching the quarterfinals. Milan gave a flat first half performance, leaving PSG to do most of the attacking. Midfielder Serginho had the best chance to score for the Italian side in the eighth minute. A left-foot running shot from just outside the 6-yard (meter) goal area was blocked by advancing goalie Lionel Letizi. The hosts' star striker Nicolas Anelka caught the Milan defense napping in the 15th minute but, with only Abbiati to beat, sent the ball left of the goal. In the 20th minute Anelka had a goal disallowed for offside and two minutes later a header from teammate Laurent Leroy was pushed away by Abbiati with his right hand. In the second half, the French club remained on the offensive but was long frustrated by Milan's efficient defense. Former PSG player Leonardo nearly opened the scoring in the 55th minute, firing a left-footer from the just outside the penalty area that scraped past the left goal post. Robert scored on the second of two consecutive free-kicks, delighting the 48,000 fans at the Parc des Princes stadium. Milan failed to react until its 91st minute breakthrough. The draw deprived PSG of a badly needed consolation prize. The side is out of contention for the French championship, and has been knocked out of the French Cup and the League Cup. Milan's defender Thomas Helveg and midfielder Gennaro Gattuso were shown yellow cards and will miss the return game against Galatasaray in two weeks' time.
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