Football: Gascoigne eclipsed by Milan

Milan. .5

Lazio. .3

THERE was a time when football in Italy was synonymous with defence-dominated tactics and a dearth of goals. This marvellously entertaining game yesterday confirmed that times have changed in Serie A and it must have taken Paul Gascoigne no more than a couple of minutes to realise that there is a world of difference between facing Norway at Wembley, and facing Milan at San Siro.

In two consecutive games, Fabio Capello's men have now ruthlessly dismantled the title challenges of big-spending Fiorentina and Lazio. Yesterday's victory was achieved without three international midfielders (Stefano Eranio, Alberigo Evani and Frank Rijkaard), and with defenders Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini clearly unfit. Milan's 40-match unbeaten run, which stretches back over 17 months, equals the Italian record set by Fiorentina 36 years ago.

Facing an attack of Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Jean- Pierre Papin and Gianluigi Lentini, this was always going to be the severest of examinations for the expensively assembled Lazio defence.

Within 15 minutes Gullit and Papin had exploited the horrendous inadequacies of the central defenders, Angelo Gregucci and Luca Luzardi. Gullit scored with a dipping volley, while Papin netted after cleverly lobbing Valerio Fiori, the Lazio goalkeeper.

So outclassed was Van Basten's marker, Gregucci, that Zoff ended his misery after only 35 minutes, replacing him with Mauro Bonomi. So strong was the grip of Milan midway through the first half that the breakaway goal from Aaron Winter in the 21st minute came just in time to halt what looked to be an irresistible red and black tide. The respite, however, was shortlived as Van Basten converted a 35th- minute penalty after being brought down by the desperate Gregucci.

The second half was no less frenetic, with a second penalty from Van Basten guaranteeing a well deserved Milan victory in the face of a spirited Lazio fightback which saw further goals from Diego Fuser, who shot home from 25 yards, and Giuseppe Signori, who scored from close range. Milan had the last word, however, Marco Simone converting Lentini's cross from the left.

For Gascoigne, a match of this intensity and quality was, as Zoff conceded, 'perhaps a little too early for a player not yet back to full fitness'.

Milan: Rossi; Tassotti, Maldini, Albertini, Costacurta, Baresi, Lentini, Donadoni, Van Basten, Gullit (Massaro, 80), Papin (Simone, 80).

Lazio: Fiori; Luzardi, Favalli, Bacci, Gregucci (Bonomi, 35), Cravero, Fuser, Doll, Winter, Gascoigne, Signori.

Referee: Stafoggia (Pesaro).

European football, page 27