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Milan 5-2 Genoa: Rampant Rossoneri Brush Aside Grifoni In Goal Bonanza
The San Siro faithful were treated to a glut of goals on Wednesday evening when the Grifoni came to town.
Jan 6, 2010 4:39:51 PM
Milan returned to Serie A action with a thrilling win over Genoa at San Siro. Goals from Ronaldinho, Thiago Silva, Marco Borriello and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar gave the Rossoneri victory, while Giuseppe Sculli and David Suazo struck for the visitors.
David Beckham started for the Rossoneri in place of Alexandre Pato, while Luca Antonini replaced Gianluca Zambrotta at left-back after he failed a late fitness test. Suazo started his first game for the Grifoni after his move from Inter.
It was an open start to the game, and Marco Amelia had to be alert from the off when Beckham sent in a perfect cross for Borriello. From just a few yards out the striker thought he had scored, but Amelia clawed the shot away with an excellent save.
After an electric start, Milan won a penalty in the 13th minute after Massimo Ambrosini went over Giuseppe Biava's challenge in the box. However, Ronaldinho's effort was poor and Amelia did well to save down to his left.
Nonetheless, the Rossoneri were playing some slick football. Ambrosini and Borriello were involved in some neat interplay before the captain set up Beckham with a shooting chance, but the Englishman sliced his shot wide.
Genoa were slowly finding their way back into the match after a promising opening few minutes, and it was the visitors who then opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Rodrigo Palacio sent in a cross and, with Ignazio Abate completely asleep, Giuseppe Sculli headed in at the far post.
Amazingly, Milan were given a second penalty on the half hour. A long ball by Beckham found Borriello, who headed it to Ambrosini. The midfielder ran into the area and was brought down by Amelia as he attempted to round the keeper. This time Ronaldinho made no mistake as he rammed it home into the bottom corner.
Beckham nearly surprised Amelia with a long-range shot minutes later, and the Rossoneri took the lead in the 38th minute. After a goalmouth scramble, Thiago Silva pounced on the rebound after Amelia had saved Ambrosini's shot to tuck the ball home from close range.
Milan were in complete control of the game, and half-time couldn't come soon enough for Gian Piero Gasperini's men. They had a chance with a free kick 25 yards out after Biava was felled by Ambrosini in injury time, but the shot was blocked.
Dinho was showing his best form on the wing
Genoa needed to stay calm when they came out for the second half, but the ball was in the back of the net just three minutes after the restart. A superb pass from Ronaldinho found Antonini in the box, who unselfishly laid the ball back for Borriello to tap in.
The Rossoneri's confidence was clearly visible, with Thiago Silva looking to surge forward with the ball whenever possible. Giandomenico Mesto had a long range effort for the Rossoblu that was deflected behind, but the visitors were now struggling to contain the Diavoli.
Some wonderful skill from Ronaldinho won Milan a corner in the 60th minute, and from the resulting set piece the Rossoneri scored their fourth. An excellent cross by Antonini found Borriello who acrobatically volleyed into the far corner via the post. It was an excellent finish from the former Rossoblu hitman, who was booked for whipping his shirt off in celebration.
Substitute Alberto Zapater tested Dida with a wicked free kick in the 66th minute as Genoa looked to salvage some pride. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was also given 25 minutes to impress Leonardo - or any watching scouts - as the San Siro crowd gave Borriello a standing ovation.
Domenico Criscito had a good effort that dipped just over the bar with 20 minutes to go, but then committed defensive suicide as he gifted possession to Gennaro Gattuso 20 yards out. Fortunately for the young defender, Amelia smothered Gattuso's shot.
Incredibly, Milan were given a third penalty in the 73rd minute when Marco Rossi hauled Ronaldinho down to the ground. After much discussion, Huntelaar stepped up to take the penalty and dispatched it with aplomb. It was the Dutchman's first goal at San Siro, and the joy around the stadium was tangible.
Genoa were desperate to find a consolation goal and after Alessandro Nesta cheaply gave possession away, Suazo showed strength and pace before firing the ball past Dida into the corner.
The Rossoneri were quite happy to protect their lead and the Grifoni spent the final minutes looking for a way through the home rearguard. The visitors couldn't find a third goal, however, and the hosts closed out a comfortable victory.
Anthony Wright, Goal.com
The Rossoneri's confidence was clearly visible, with Thiago Silva looking to surge forward with the ball whenever possible. Giandomenico Mesto had a long range effort for the Rossoblu that was deflected behind, but the visitors were now struggling to contain the Diavoli.
Some wonderful skill from Ronaldinho won Milan a corner in the 60th minute, and from the resulting set piece the Rossoneri scored their fourth. An excellent cross by Antonini found Borriello who acrobatically volleyed into the far corner via the post. It was an excellent finish from the former Rossoblu hitman, who was booked for whipping his shirt off in celebration.
Substitute Alberto Zapater tested Dida with a wicked free kick in the 66th minute as Genoa looked to salvage some pride. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was also given 25 minutes to impress Leonardo - or any watching scouts - as the San Siro crowd gave Borriello a standing ovation.
Domenico Criscito had a good effort that dipped just over the bar with 20 minutes to go, but then committed defensive suicide as he gifted possession to Gennaro Gattuso 20 yards out. Fortunately for the young defender, Amelia smothered Gattuso's shot.
Incredibly, Milan were given a third penalty in the 73rd minute when Marco Rossi hauled Ronaldinho down to the ground. After much discussion, Huntelaar stepped up to take the penalty and dispatched it with aplomb. It was the Dutchman's first goal at San Siro, and the joy around the stadium was tangible.
Genoa were desperate to find a consolation goal and after Alessandro Nesta cheaply gave possession away, Suazo showed strength and pace before firing the ball past Dida into the corner.
The Rossoneri were quite happy to protect their lead and the Grifoni spent the final minutes looking for a way through the home rearguard. The visitors couldn't find a third goal, however, and the hosts closed out a comfortable victory.
Anthony Wright, Goal.com
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