Serie A leaders AC Milan made it seven games unbeaten with a comfortable win away to Bologna.
The Rossoneri went into the match three points clear of nearest rivals Lazio and ensured that lead would remain undiminished with a classy performance today.
Kevin-Prince Boateng got them off the mark early on before Robinho quickly made it 2-0 and Zlatan Ibrahimovic enjoyed a well-deserved goal of his own after another excellent performance.
Bologna had the first chance four minutes in when Gaston Ramirez took on Gennaro Gattuso before testing Christian Abbiati, the goalkeeper diving towards the left-hand corner to make an excellent save.
In the eighth minute, though, the visitors were ahead.
In-form striker Ibrahimovic did brilliantly to feed Boateng, the Ghana international was then able to keep his composure to beat Emiliano Viviano from close range.
As the half progressed the game died down, although Andrea Pirlo's cheeky 40-yard free-kick only went narrowly over the bar.
Ten minutes from the break it was 2-0. Boateng turned provider to find Robinho in the box. The Brazilian's pace saw him out-strip Andrea Esposito before poking the ball between Viviano's legs.
Viviano then put up some resistance when he denied Ibrahimovic with his leg and in added time produced another excellent save from the Swedish striker before Gianluca Zambrotta hit the ball from the rebound.
Pirlo and Ibrahimovic had half-chances early in the second half before Ramirez wasted a chance for the home team following a needless mistake by Abbiati in the Milan goal.
On the hour the leaders were 3-0 up and it was Pirlo and Ibrahimovic who combined, the former producing a lovely trademark pass to find his team-mate who controlled well before firing in right-footed past Viviano.
Substitute Riccardo Meggiorini had a header from close range for Bologna but Abbiati saved in the 63rd minute.
They had an even better chance to get on the scoresheet 12 minutes from time when they won a penalty. Clarence Seedorf fouled Marco Di Vaio in the box but Abbiati made the save when the striker got up to take the kick.
Miguel Britos saw a late header skim the post as Bologna's attacking enterprise went unrewarded.
The Rossoneri got off to a flyer just 3 minutes in, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic worked a good move down the left with Ambrosini, before pulling it back across the box – where Kevin-Prince Boateng was waiting to tap in his first goal for the club! An excellent start!
Milan continued their domination in the first 10 minutes, though Brescia did have one close moment, when Carraciolo was played in with a ball overhead, but Thiago Silva and Nesta managed to deal with it fairly easily.
Robinho came close to doubling Milan’s lead just moments later, once again Ibrahimovic playing the role of provider, he played it inside for the brazilian, who cut in and struck it hard and low, but Sereni held the ball well – the Brescia ‘keeper ensuring he didn’t.
A quarter of an hour in to the game, Brescia almost equalised, Carraciolo with an excellent overhead kick sending the ball goalwards, only for Christian Abbiati to deny them the goal with an excellent diving save.
Robinho – who’d made a good start to the game – was the next to come close for Milan, after some trademark stepovers on the left, he cut in to the box but his finish was poor – and hit the side netting.
The brazilian did give Milan a 2 goal lead just moments later though, after a poor backpass from Hetemaj, Robinho had a free shot against Sereni, and this time he had no chance of keeping out his shot, as Robinho finished by placing it in to the bottom left corner.
Milan had 3 before the 30 minute mark, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored! After picking up the ball inside the box, he used his close control and strength to keep the defenders at bay, before shifting it to the right and smashing it past the helpless Brescia goalkeeper, a goal of the highest quality.
The Rossoneri should’ve made it w just 3 minutes later, some carless play from ex-Juve defender Jonathan Zebina led to Kevin-Prince Boateng having a chance to score – Matteo Sereni pulled off a very good save to deny him, and Robinho just about reached the loose ball, but he couldn’t quite get enough on it to score, and it remained 3-0.
The pressure from Milan was relentless, after a mazy run from Robinho, the Rossoneri had a free kick right at the edge of the box. Andrea Pirlo curled it towards the bottom corner, but Sereni dived well to punch clear, and keep the damage to 3 goals.
5 minutes from the end of the half, Ibrahimovic pulled off a delicious flick over the top for Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose hard struck volley went narrowly over the bar, Milan were playing in style and dominating with ease!
Milan ended the half on top, as they’d started it, it was 3-0 at the break but it could easily have been more, nonetheless, the Rossoneri were totally dominating, and playing with some swagger.
At half time, Mario Yepes was brought on to replace Nesta – no cause for concer, Allegri was just resting Nesta, given that Milan were already 3-0 up and keeping Nesta fresh is important.
The second half started in a much less active manner, the first real chance didn’t come until 60 minutes, where Abate played in Boateng down the wing, who then put it in the box. After the Brescia defenders all missed it, it came towards Robinho – who decided to hit it first time rather than taking a touch first – and as a result went flying over the bar.
Gattuso almost scored just minutes later, Robinho putting a great ball in to the box, only for the Italian’s shot to be saved by Sereni after an excellent first touch, and a pretty decent effort.
Massimo Ambrosini was then replaced by Mathieu Flamini, once more with the purpose of keeping him fresh, whilst Milan piled on the pressure once more.
It was almost 4-0 moments later, as a deflected cross from Abate flew high up in to the sky – only for Zlatan Ibrahimovic (with his back to goal) to get right underneath it, and try an overhead/scissor kick style shot, which dribbled narrowly wide past the post!
The last substitution was for Ibrahimovic, with Ronaldinho getting a chance to show what he could do with just over 20 minutes left, whilst giving Ibra a well earned rest.
Ronaldinho was inolved within minutes, as Robinho dribbled down the flank, he played a ball in to the middle, and Dinho attempted a difficult first time powerful volley at goal, which went narrowly over the bar – the brazilian almost netting a spectacular goal within minutes.
Mathieu Flamini seemed to be enjoying himself, and he was the next to almost score, after Gattuso slipped the ball forward for the frenchman to strike with power, however, it didn’t trouble Sereni in the Brescia goal.
The game ended 3-0, and it was a totally dominant performance. The only disappointing aspect was the fact that Milan seemed to sit back a bit in the second half, and failed to take any more chances, nonetheless the Rossoneri looked assured, confident and some of the play was brilliant.
Best Moment: Ibra’s fantastic goal
Man of the Match: Robinho – could’ve been a few others, but he did a lot of running, made some nice interception, took his goal well and is improving with every game
