If David Beckham does eventually make the move from Los Angeles to Milan -- whether it's this spring or next fall -- the turning point might have come in Bologna on Sunday.Making his third consecutive start for AC Milan and playing the full 90 minutes, Beckham had his best outing yet for the seven-time European champion and also scored his first goal.It wasn't a tame goal, either. No tap-in this, or lucky rebound. It was a cracker.Brazilian teenager Pato began the move with a surging run down the center of the field, scattering Bologna players in his path, before passing the ball to Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf on his right.Seedorf, who had scored the tying goal in what would eventually turn out to be a 4-1 rout for AC Milan, might have taken a shot but instead slipped the ball to an unmarked Beckham on his right.
The Galaxy midfielder raced into the penalty area and unleashed a rising right-foot shot that tore past Bologna goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli and just inside the right post.It was one of Beckham's best goals in a long time
and he reacted to it with a delighted grin before being mobbed by AC Milan teammates.The goal, Milan's fourth of the match, enabled the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star to join a select group of players who have scored in each of Europe's top three leagues -- England's Premier League, Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A."It was a truly special goal, just as it is special for me to be playing here" in Italy, Beckham said, adding that he would save his game jersey as a souvenir.The England international, who hopes to earn a record-tying 108th cap when England plays European champion Spain in a friendly in Seville on Feb. 11, was not able to upstage Brazilian sensation Kaka, however.Just days after seeing a potential $150-million move to Manchester City come apart at the seams, Kaka was in top form. He scored twice, first on a penalty kick and then on a rocket-like left foot shot.All in all, it was a classic performance by Milan, which moved the ball around with ease. Beckham has slotted well into a midfield that on Sunday included Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini.He has played all but a handful of minutes in the Serie A team's last three games and has grown in stature and comfort with each one. Against Bologna, his running was sharper and he was more involved in the play than in the previous two outings.The improvement in his game has naturally led to increased speculation about Beckham staying with Milan, and the midfielder has not exactly discouraged such thoughts."I can't say what will happen," he said after Sunday's game. "Even if my contract says that I'll be here until March. We'll have to see.
The Galaxy midfielder raced into the penalty area and unleashed a rising right-foot shot that tore past Bologna goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli and just inside the right post.It was one of Beckham's best goals in a long time
and he reacted to it with a delighted grin before being mobbed by AC Milan teammates.The goal, Milan's fourth of the match, enabled the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star to join a select group of players who have scored in each of Europe's top three leagues -- England's Premier League, Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A."It was a truly special goal, just as it is special for me to be playing here" in Italy, Beckham said, adding that he would save his game jersey as a souvenir.The England international, who hopes to earn a record-tying 108th cap when England plays European champion Spain in a friendly in Seville on Feb. 11, was not able to upstage Brazilian sensation Kaka, however.Just days after seeing a potential $150-million move to Manchester City come apart at the seams, Kaka was in top form. He scored twice, first on a penalty kick and then on a rocket-like left foot shot.All in all, it was a classic performance by Milan, which moved the ball around with ease. Beckham has slotted well into a midfield that on Sunday included Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini.He has played all but a handful of minutes in the Serie A team's last three games and has grown in stature and comfort with each one. Against Bologna, his running was sharper and he was more involved in the play than in the previous two outings.The improvement in his game has naturally led to increased speculation about Beckham staying with Milan, and the midfielder has not exactly discouraged such thoughts."I can't say what will happen," he said after Sunday's game. "Even if my contract says that I'll be here until March. We'll have to see.
"Told of Beckham's comment, AC Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who was coaching his 400th game for the team, tried to defuse a potential squabble between the Galaxy and Milan."Our hands are tied because he has a clear contract," Ancelotti said. "We can't do anything to change things [but] he can definitely do something. He must sort out his own contract with the American team. . . . We are capitalizing on his presence at the moment."Last week, Silvio Berlusconi, who doubles as Italian prime minister and AC Milan president, said the club would honor its agreement with the Galaxy."Who wouldn't like to have such a player in your team?" Berlusconi said. "He is showing the class, professionalism and commitment that makes him such a wonderful person and player."Having said this though, he has a contract with the Galaxy and he and my club should respect that."In the face of persistent questioning by the Italian media over Beckham's future, Ancelotti also was forced into making a statement."If Beckham is fine with us, we are happy," he said. "The fact that he plays is because he is a tactically intelligent player, disciplined and unselfish. He will decide what to do in his future."For the time being, it remains confirmed that on March 9 he will return to America."Meanwhile, the belief persists that there are moves going on behind the scenes that could see Beckham either stay in Milan or return to the Galaxy for the 2009 MLS season and then rejoin the Italian club on a full-time basis.
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