Redondo back at last

Fernando Redondo returned to competitive action tonight for the first time since the 2000 UEFA Champions League final, appearing for AC Milan in the first 45 minutes of their 1-1 draw against Serie B club Ancona Calcio in an Italian Cup third round first-leg tie.

Attention on Redondo
Anselmo Robbiati opened the scoring for Ancona in the fourth minute, which Leonardo, also returning for Milan, cancelled out a minute before half-time. However, all the attention was on Redondo, the elegant Argentinian midfield player who helped Real Madrid CF win the Champions League in 2000 before joining Milan.

'I'm extremely happy'
"My biggest goal in these two years has been to return to playing and I managed to do it," said Redondo. "My knee didn't hurt. It's fantastic to be back. I'm extremely happy. Tonight I had the same feeling that I had when I was 15 years old and made my debut with Argentinos Juniors. Now I just want to restart my career in the same way I stopped it two-and-a-half years ago - by winning trophies."

Galliani delighted
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani also expressed his delight with Redondo's return and display. "I'm extremely satisfied with Redondo's performance," he said. "I'm sure that he will be really important for our season."

Troubled times
Redondo's troubles began in August 2000, less than a month into his stay at the San Siro, when he damaged his right knee while running on a treadmill. The problem got worse and on 3 October that year he underwent cruciate ligament surgery in Varese which ruled him out for the rest of the 2000/01 season. Further surgery in Madrid the following June failed to cure the problem and a third operation was required, meaning another lost season in 2001/02.

Miccoli opener
In the night's other Italian Cup game, AC Perugia were held to a 1-1 draw against Serie B leaders Sampdoria UC. Both clubs fielded strong teams and Perugia, eleventh in Serie A, took the lead on 39 minutes when striker Fabrizio Miccoli was left unmarked at a corner and headed in at the back post.

Flachi penalty
But Sampdoria, four-times cup winners, gained a deserved equaliser in the 67th minute when striker Carrado Colombo was ruled to have been pushed by Perugia defender Marco Di Loreto inside the area and Francesco Flachi converted the penalty to set up an intriguing second leg in Perugia.