The First 3 point from San Siro

Milan are back in business as Clarence Seedorf, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alexandre Pato and Kaka screamers sank leaders Lazio 4-1.

Unusually, this was a clash between the top and bottom of the table, as the Rossoneri hadn't picked up a single point and Lazio had a 100 per cent record. Milan were boosted by Thursday's 3-1 UEFA Cup victory over Zurich and the return of Gennaro Gattuso ahead of schedule after fracturing his wrist. Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Nesta and Philippe Senderos were injured, but Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko were surprisingly dropped. It was a special game for Cristian Brocchi, who returned to face his old club just weeks after the transfer.


Milan created a great chance five minutes in, with Alexandre Pato's backheel flick from Kaka's pass caught by Juan Pablo Carrizo. It was a warning, as soon after they took the lead with a stroke of luck. Clarence Seedorf was trying to combine with Kaka, but it ricocheted off Cristian Ledesma's chest back into his path, so he did not hesitate to smash an unstoppable strike under the bar from 10 yards with the inside of his right foot.

In a corner for the Rossoneri, but Lazio broke with pace and Pandev threaded through for Zarate to place a left-foot daisy-cutter past Abbiati at the near post. It was his fourth goal in just three Serie A games. Moments later Pato went on a mazy run past two defenders to test Carrizo. Kaka did much the same on the left flank only to fire wide of the near post.

It was an unexpected hero who emerged for the home side, as Gianluca Zambrotta pulled a screamer out of nowhere. He was 35 metres away and seemed ready to cross, but instead unleashed an incredible right-foot strike into the far top corner! It was measured travelling at 103km/h.

After the restart Zambrotta was sent totally clear into the box on Seedorf's pass only to place a cross-chip off target. The move continued and from the left flank Marek Jankulovski crossed for Pato's marvellous diving header from six yards. Kaka was spurred on by the Zambrotta wonder goal and decided to try it himself, as he smashed a fantastic curler from 25 metres into the far top corner. Carrizo wasn't expecting it and was just a step away from getting his fingertips to it, but the finish was still marvellous.

The San Siro was on its feet in anticipation as Ronaldinho replaced fellow Selecao star Pato for the final 20 minutes. Borriello sprung the offside trap on a Dinho ball over the defence - as he looked the other way - and saw his shot beaten away by Carrizo.

Massimo Ambrosini's unorthodox defending style caused a few concerns in the box, then on 76 minutes Zarate sent Pandev clear and brought a wonderful one-handed save out of Abbiati from point-blank range. Ronaldinho was unlucky not to get a fifth in stoppages, as his solo effort was deflected on to the crossbar off Sebastiano Siviglia. As the move continued, Borriello's header skimmed the upright.

Milan: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso (Emerson 78), Ambrosini, Seedorf (Flamini 64); Kaka; Pato (Ronaldinho 71), Borriello

Lazio: Carrizo; Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Rozenhal, Kolarov; Brocchi (De Silvestri 79), Ledesma, Matuzalem (Meghni 68); Mauri (Foggia 62); Zarate, Pandev

Ref: Rizzoli

Source: Football Italia