Hitzfeld remains defiant

FC Bayern München coach Ottmar Hitzfeld refused to write off his side after their 2-1 defeat by AC Milan at the San Siro, insisting Bayern can still qualify for the second group stage of the UEFA Champions League despite falling to their third defeat in four Group G games.

Slender hopes
Despite the loss, Bayern still hold slender hopes of qualifying after RC Lens came from behind to beat second-placed RC Deportivo La Coruña 3-1. “I hope and think that we will win our last two games and we just have to hope that the other results go our way,” Hitzfeld said.

Inzaghi does it again
Serginho and Filippo Inzaghi scored for Milan who recorded their fourth straight win to secure qualification. Serginho gave the home side the lead on eleven minutes before Inzaghi shook off Robert Kovac to decide the game with his eighth goal in this season's competition halfway through the second half. Michael Tarnat's first-half equaliser had given Bayern hope, but it was not enough for the 2001 Champions League winners.

All or nothing
Hitzfeld, however, stressed that Bayern should not be counted out just yet. “It was obviously important that Deportivo lost today and we now have to beat them away, which we can do,” he said. “And it is of course also important that Milan do their best in their remaining games and especially against Deportivo in their last game. It was a good game today and both teams wanted to win. Milan scored early but we reacted well and deserved our equaliser."

Ancelotti proud
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti felt his side had struggled to keep Bayern wingers Hasan Salihamidzic and Zé Roberto at bay, but was proud of the way his charges had responded after the break. “It certainly wasn’t one of the best games Milan have played this season, especially in the first half when we allowed Bayern too much space down the sides,” he said. “But we were very determined even if we didn’t play all that well.”

Missed chances
Bayern, meanwhile, will feel unfortunate not to have taken at least a point back to Germany. Hitzfeld threw on Roque Santa Cruz and Mehmet Scholl in place of Salihamidzic and Claudio Pizarro with 19 minutes remaining and Bayern created a host of chances. Samuel Kuffour shot over from close in, Elber hit the crossbar and Willy Sagnol and Santa Cruz also went close in a frantic finale. But the equaliser would not come and while Bayern will contemplate elimination, Milan can look forward to the second stage.

'Obligation'
“The league now becomes our priority but we have a big squad and we have an obligation to do our best in the last two games,” Ancelotti said. Hitzfeld will be delighted to hear that.