AS Roma 2 AC MIlan 2:AS DEBUTS go, it was hardly earth-shattering, but one suspects David Beckham and his new employers, AC Milan, will be more than satisfied. Given the Englishman has been out of competitive football for nearly three months, it was always likely his official club debut would fail to live up to the hype.
So it proved. Beckham worked hard, was careful to maintain his right-side of midfield position, covered well for right back Gianluca Zambrotta and knocked in a couple of nice crosses, but that was about it.
However, it says much about Milan's plans for their latest super-star that Beckham not only started last night's game but remained on the pitch for 88 minutes.
Inevitably the greatest Milan threat came not from Beckham but from one of his three Brazilian team-mates - striker Pato who scored both Milan goals.
After Milan had opened with an impressive bout of sustained possession, normal Roma service seemed to be restored in the 22nd minute when Mirko Vucinic made the most of a John Arne Riise cross to slot home the opener.
As Vucinic controlled the ball and nimbly slipped past Paolo Maldini, one was left to reflect that the great Italian defender was finally beginning to show his 40 years of age.
That Roma would not have it all their way, however, was apparent only three minutes into the second half. Left back Marek Jankulovski made good ground down the left before working a clever combination with Kaka who, in turn, knocked in a low cross that required only the slightest nudge from Pato for an equaliser.
The best moment of the match, however, came four minutes later when Ronaldhino and Clarence Seedorf sent Pato away down the left wing. The young striker made straight for the byline, scampered past Philippe Mexes and then hit the most delicate angled chip over goalkeeper Cristiano Abbiati for as good a goal as you will see.
But the home side would not lie down and they were full value for a second Vucinic goal in the 71st minute, even if his diving header had been set up by a deflected shot by midfielder Matteo Brighi. From then on, both sides had chances to win the game but a draw was probably the right result on the night.
As for the famous newcomer to Italian football, he could be well satisfied with his start. The extent to which he was in the heart of the game, for example taking nearly all Milan's corner kicks, would suggest he has the full confidence of his famous team-mates.
Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan are four points clear of Juventus at the top of the table after their 1-1 draw with Cagliari on Saturday.
AS ROMA: Doni; Cassetti, Mexes, Juan, Riise; Taddei, De Rossi, Brighi; Perrotta, Baptista; Vucinic. Subs: Pizarro for Taddei (63 mins); Cicinho for Cassetti (80 mins); Aquilani for Brighi (83 mins).
AC MILAN: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Maldini, Favalli, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka, Ronaldhino; Pato. Subs: Ambrosini for Ronaldhino (70 mins); Flamini for Beckham (88 mins).
