<span class="titolo">Milan Bounce Back With Impressive Win</span></p> <span class="sommario"> Milan easily disposed of Lazio especially thanks to a brilliant second half performance which highlighted the fact that the Biancocelesti are in desperate need of a goalkeeper following the terrible performance of Muslera, at fault on all of the Rossoneri’s goals.</span></p> Carlo Ancelotti’s side needed to prove that this period had to end sooner or later, and they proved this in the best possible way as they thrashed Lazio at the Olimpico stadium with a very convincing performance. A balanced and well played first half with both teams playing without any fear or defensive tactics, which allowed a quick flow of the action. Lazio were without Ledesma who will be out for the next two months, and the Biancocelesti's midfield missed that creativity their player could have offered in this match. Still the first opportunity of the game arrived on the feet of Tommaso Rocchi following an excellent move by Pandev who dribbled past two defenders before passing the ball to the Italian international forward who saw his weak shot easily saved by Dida. In the 8th minute Bonera had the golden opportunity to open the score for the Rossoneri, but his shot from close range, following a corner kick, went incredibly wide. Five minutes later Milan were awarded a penalty kick by referee Morganti after goalkeeper Muslera fouled Gilardino inside the penalty area, but following the Lazio protests, the linesmen changed the referee's mind and instead a corner kick was given. However, in the 16th minute Milan took the lead thanks to Ambrosini, but more importantly thanks to Muslera who was completely out of position when the Milan midfielder lobbed the ball from the three quarters of the pitch over the helpess goalkeeper. Two minutes later Seedorf could have added another goal for Milan, but his shot went just wide. Lazio still managed to reach and in the 23rd minute Mauri equalized the score for the Biancocelesti. De Silvestri ran on the right hand side and crossed a low ball towards the middle where Mauri from inside the penalty area placed the ball coolly past Dida for the 1-1. The Rossoneri regained the lead in the 31st minute as Milan were once again awarded a penalty. However, this time no one changed Morganti's mind as Muslera yet again brought Gilardino down inside the penalty area and Kaka perfectly converted the penalty shot to make it 2-1 for the Rossoneri. Lazio took control of the last 14 minutes of the first half, but despite their pressure, the Roman side were unable to create any goal scoring opportunities. The second half started again with great rhythm as Lazio ran after the equalizer whereas Milan wanted to close the encounter. The latter were the successful ones as the Rossoneri scored their third goal in the 52nd minute thanks to a brilliant move by Kaka. The probable Golden Ball winner received a great ball from Pirlo inside the penalty area and the Brazilian player resisted Stendardo's attack before he shot from close range under Muslera's feet and inside the net. In the 60th minute Gilardino received a yellow card for simulation, but video replays proved the referee wrong as Cribari's tackle hit the Italian striker. Eight minutes later Milan could yet again have been awarded a penalty kick as Cribari touched the ball with his hands whilst falling to the ground, but Morganti waved play on. The Lazio players were practically already in the dressing room and in the 70th minute Gilardino scored his long awaited goal to make it 4-1 for the Rossoneri. Kaka assisted vertically Gilardino who shot towards goal, with the ball passing once again between Muslera's feet and inside the net. Milan had two further chances to score between the 74th and 78th minute as both Seedorf and Gilardino came all alone in front of the goalkeeper, but missed to score. However, in the 79th minute Gilardino score his personal and morale boosting brace, especially thanks to an excellent assist by Ambrosini who found the former Parma striker all alone inside the penalty area and his first timer was not held by Muslera. Ancelotti rested some of his main players in the final minutes as the Rossoneri slowed down their second half pace, whereas Lazio were just waiting for the nightmare to end. In the end it was a deserved win for Milan, especially for what they showed in the second half, proving that there is light at the end of the tunnel. On the other hand, Lazio have certainly let their fans down following the excellent performance against Real Madrid last Wednesday, as the Biancocelesti will definitely need some reinforcements in January considering the many injuries and lack of decent substitutes for key positions. Milan have now climbed to 9th place in Serie A with 10 points from 7 matches played, whereas Lazio’s misery continues as the team remains anchored in 13th place with just 7 points to show. <u>Starting Line-ups:</u> Lazio (4-4-2): Muslera; De Silvestri, Stendardo, Cribari, Zauri; Behrami, Mutarelli, Mudingayi, Mauri; Rocchi, Pandev Milan (4-3-2-1): Dida; Oddo, Bonera, Nesta, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà, Seedorf; Gilardino</p> <span class="titolo"></span></p>
