By Tony Mabert
David Beckham began life in Serie A with a draw as Milan played out a 2-2 with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
The former England captain played 88 minutes of his first match in Italian football, but it was two goals in four minutes at the start of the second-half from his team-mate Alexandre Pato, book-ended by strikes from Mirko Vucinic, that ensured a share of the points that doesn't do much for either side.
Struggling Roma move up just one place to 11th, while Milan remain in third a full nine points behind leaders and local rivals Internazionale.
"I thought it was great, I enjoyed it immensely, I was surprised to start the game," said Beckham afterwards.
"Of course I'm still working on my fitness but I felt good, better than I thought I would in the game. (My aim) is to play as many games as possible and work on my fitness and just be part of AC Milan. I feel very lucky.
"It's similar (to other leagues), of course there's more of a tactical level in Italy but I think I adapted pretty well.
"(With free-kicks) we take it in turns, if another player feels like scoring from a free kick I let them do that. I'm sure I'll get a chance at some point. They speak pretty good English, the majority of the players, and football is an easy language to learn."
A John Arne Riise cross found its way to Montenegro international Vucinic, who turned Milan captain Paolo Maldini and fired past keeper Christian Abbiati from close range to open the scoring midway through the first-half.
Milan went into the break behind, but emerged rejuvenated in the second-half and Pato took just four minutes to get the Rossoneri level when Kaka checked back on to his right foot on the wing to fire a low cross that gave the Brazilian youngster the easiest of tap-ins. Romaappealed for offside, but the referee's assistant kept his flag down.
Soon after, the 19-year-old fired Milan in front with a wonderful individual goal when he left defender Philippe Mexes behind with blistering pace and chipped a delicate finish over Roma keeper Cristiano Doni.
Carlo Ancelotti's players controlled the game after that but Roma pegged them back with 20 minutes remaining when Matteo Brighi's shot was blocked and the ball looped into the air for Vucinic to send a diving header past Abbiati.
Beckham, playing in a star-studded midfield that featured Kaka, Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf and Anrea Pirlo, was a peripheral figure for much of the match, with his new team-mates often chose not to pass to him when there was another option open to them.
When they won a free-kick in a shooting position after five minutes Beckham stood near the ball, but it was Ronaldinho who struck it into the wall.
The 33-year-old - on loan from MLS side LA Galaxy for a total of nine Serie A matches - was playing his first competitive match since October, and it showed when on several occasions his trademark crosses and set-piece deliveries failed to find their intended targets.
Despite his early setbacks, however, his work ethic could not be faulted, and his willingness to track back assisted the ageing Milan defence in a few difficult moments.
He managed one effort on target when Seedorf teed him up for a shot from a short corner, but his curling strike was beaten away by Doni.
The fact that Ronaldinho was substituted before him looks to be an endorsement of sorts from coach Ancelotti.
"Beckham has shown in the days he has been with us that he is a tactically-clever player, serious and well-balanced. Starting him was a little reward for inserting himself well into our group," Ancelotti told Sky after the game.
With midfielders Massimo Ambrosini and Mathieu Flamini left on the bench, Ancelotti was asked if Beckham's arrival for such a short spell might upset other Milan players.
"I think everyone is happy Beckham is here because he is professional and serious," the coach said.
However, the luke-warm applause Beckham received when he himself went off shows that he has a lot of work to do in little time if he is to leave his mark in Serie A.
Source:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com