Chelsea new boy Yuri Zhirkov scores on debut in preseason fixture against AC Milan

25 July 2009 08:54
The Russian international scored the winning goal to defeat AC Milan 2-1 and impressed, playing on the left of midfield, delivering several dangerous crosses. There were also high-quality goals from Didier Drogba and, for Milan, Clarence Seedorf. Zhirkov's contribution was all the more noteworthy given he has only just linked up with the rest of the Chelsea squad on their pre-season tour to the United States, which ends tomorrow (Sun) in Arlington, Texas, when they face the Mexicans of Club America. That match will determine who will win this four-team tournament, the World Football Challenge, as both clubs have now defeated the Italians of AC and Inter Milan. For Chelsea's new manager Carlo Ancelotti this was a victory made all the more satisfying as it was gained against the club he left at the end of last season after eight years as coach. Milan, too, were desperate for the win and it meant it was a contest made more competitive than the usual pre-season friendly. Indeed neither Ancelotti nor his successor, Leonardo, who he had recommended for the post made a substitution at half-time in contrast to the wholesale changes that have occurred in previous games. At the end several Milan players held their heads in disbelief that they had lost. Ancelotti admitted that Chelsea had, at times, struggled as Milan, with Clarence Seedorf dominant until he was substituted, often the more threatening. "It was a difficult game because Milan played well, moved very well on the pitch," Ancelotti said. "Chelsea found it difficult in midfield because we didn't find the right positions. But the team worked hard on the pitch and we're happy for the victory, as normal, but we know we also need to improve. We have to work. The victory was also important because the atmosphere is good in the team. For this, we are happy. Both teams played well, a good match, a good show." Ancelotti was delighted with Zhirkov's performance although Florent Malouda, who gave way for the 25-year-old, may have been a little more concerned. He has real competition for his place. "It wasn't a surprise," Ancelotti said of Zhirkov. "He's a very good player and, for sure, he found it difficult on the pitch in the position he was in, but that's normal. You have to work with the team. It was important for him to score a goal, and we know he's a very good player. This tournament has happened at the right time for us. We've played against very good teams and there's a very good atmosphere here. For us, it's nice to play in the USA at this moment." Chelsea took the lead in the seventh minute when Drogba caught out the Milan goalkeeper, Zeljko Kalac, with a rasping right-foot shot from around 30 yards. Kalac, who went on to have a poor match, reacted slowly and was surprised by the power of Drogba;s shot. The goal shocked Milan into action and after Petr Cech blocked, with his outstretched leg, a shot by Andrea Pirlo, who has been coveted by Chelsea, the rebound fell to Ronaldinho. The Brazilian had one of those wonderful cameo games there was a brilliant nut-meg of John Obi Mikel in the second-half followed by a sloppy pass as he turned round to admire his work but his over-head kick struck his team-mate Marco Boriello. Soon Seedorf had chipped goalwards, only for Branislav Ivanovic to head of the line, before the Dutch midfielder connected, first-time, with Ronaldinho's smart layoff to beat Cech. At the start of the second-half Drogba released Nicolas Anelka who dragged his low shot wide while Zhirkov's header, from Frank Lampard's corner, was headed off the line by Thiago Silva. Seedorf volleyed over, after a wonderful exchange of passes with Ronaldinho, before Zhirkov scored. The goal came after a shot by substitute Andrei Shevchenko, was beaten out by Kalac only to Lampard's whose effort was blocked. It fell to Zhirkov who drove the ball low into the net. There was a frenzied finale with Cech punching away a header by Filippo Inzaghi and Oguchi Onyewu, another substitute and the only American on the pitch, wasted a free header. At the end Ancelotti and Leonardo embraced. "To play against Carlo is something very special," the Milan coach said. "We're such good friends, so that's why it was so special. Two of the best teams in the world and we've worked together for so many years, so it was exciting today." It was also, at the M&T Stadium and with a crowd of 71,203, the first time the venue, usually used for American football, had sold out. Teams: Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech; Bosingwa (Hutchinson, 90), Terry, Ivanovic, A Cole; Belletti, Mikel, Lampard, Zhirkov (Mancienne, 85); Anelka (Shevchenko, 63), Drogba (Pizarro, 75). AC Milan (4-3-1-2): Kalac; Oddo, Nesta (Onyewu, 68), Thiago Silva (Kaladze, 77), Zambrotta (Jankulovski, 75); Flamini, Pirlo (Gattuso, 71), Seedorf (Abate, 64); Ronaldinho (Di Gennaro, 79); Pato (Inzaghi, 81), Boriello (Zigoni, 68).

Source: Telegraph