Milan were the better side throughout the match, but their opponents were simply more efficient. The defeat today means Milan lose contact with the top half of the table.

Milan played with Jose Mari, Andrej Shevchenko and Leonardo all up front, while Perugia welcomed back Ze Maria.

Milan got their first chance of the match in the very first minute of the game. But Jose Mari was unable to put the ball into the Perugia net after a cross by Leonardo.

Perugia got their first chance when a free kick by Liverani went over the Milan crossbar. They went close again shortly afterwards when an effort by Ze Maria was denied by Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.

In the 21st minute the visitors took a surprise lead in the San Siro stadium. A cross by Baiocco was put into the Milan net by Luca Saudati, who recorded his fourth goal of the season.

But Perugia were not able to hold on to their lead for very long as Milan were level again only minutes after the visitors had taken the lead. A cross by Amrosini was headed in by Ukrainian striker Andrej Shevchenko, who netted his 11th goal of the season.

But Perugia kept creating chances of their own, with Tedesco being denied by Abbiati in the 31st minute.

One minute before the interval Leonardo twice came close to putting his side one up at halftime, but both times Perugia keeper Mazzantini made a good save to prevent the ball from going into the net.

Three minutes after the break Mazzantini denied an effort by Spanish striker Jose Mari.

In the 58th minute Perugia put the ball into the Milan net for the second time in the match. Giovanni Tedesco went past defender Roqua Junior and passed the ball to Greek striker Zisis Vryzas, who scored his fourth goal of the season.

Milan's only chance of getting at least one point from this match came when Leonardo's shot was saved by Mazzantini in the 62nd minute.

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