The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Portsmouth

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho who came off the bench to help kickstart his side's UEFA Cup recovery against Portsmouth on Thursday.

With the Italian aristocrats 2-0 down at Fratton Park, Ronaldinho struck a magical 84th-minute freekick to reduce the deficit before Filippo Inzaghi grabbed an injury-time leveller to claim a 2-2 draw in this Group E clash.

It was a record 65th European goal for Inzaghi who pounced on a loose ball with less than 30 seconds to go to hand his side a place in the knockout round.

"We had almost lost hope but the reaction was really good and to come back from 2-0 down like that was great," said Ancelotti.

"Ronaldinho definitely made a difference because he reopened the game with an excellent free-kick. The game really changed pace with that."

Portsmouth, playing in their first European season after winning the FA Cup, had taken a dramatic and richly-deserved two-goal lead through Younes Kaboul and Kanu.

The draw leaves the English Premier League side needing two wins from their final two group games - away at Wolfsburg and home to Heerenveen - if they are to have any realistic chance of qualification for the next round.

Their manager Tony Adams said his players were at a low ebb but insisted the team had recorded their finest performance since he took over from Harry Redknapp last month.

Adams said: "They are just a little deflated and disappointed because they feel they should have and could have won the game."

"I'm not feeling that disappointed because of the performance but the guys are a bit flat as they wanted some reward for their hard work.

"I'm really proud of the guys and the way we played. That was the best performance I have had since I've been manager.

"Our qualification maybe depends on other results now. Wolfsburg will be a tough game and if we can pick up points there and beat Heerenveen who knows?"