AC Milan 3-0 Chievo: Kaka double helps Rossoneri floor the Flying Donkeys

Date: 29th March 2014 at 10:46pm
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AC Milan beat Chievo 3-0 at the San Siro on Saturday night in Serie A.

The Rossoneri followed up their surprising victory away to Fiorentina on Wednesday night with a comprehensive win over the Flying Donkeys with two goals from captain Kaka and an early Mario Balotelli strike.

Any plans that Chievo coach Eugenio Corini had for containing the Diavolo attacking threat disappeared virtually as soon as the referee started the match as the hosts took the lead within three minutes through Balotelli.

The Italian international’s deflected free-kick won a corner that was initially cleared to the feet of Daniele Bonera on the right wing who then curled in a wonderful cross which the 23-year-old turned in from close range.

However, despite the visitors being forced to seek out an equaliser and the Rossoneri’s own positive start, there were few scoring chances other than a long range effort from Adel Taarabt before Kaka doubled their lead on 27 minutes.

After a difficult start to his Milan career it was Keisuke Honda with a brilliant assist for the Brazilian celebrating his 300th game for the club, curling a delightful ball over the Gialloblu defence which the arriving Kaka controlled on his chest and stroked past Michael Agazzi.

10 minutes later the Japanese international should have been celebrating his first Serie A goal after Balotelli was sent through on goal by Taarabt, however, when the striker chose to slide the ball to an unmarked Honda just seven yards out yet he somehow managed to balloon the effort over the bar.

With the result looking beyond doubt even ahead of half-time Milan suffered a minor setback when Sulley Muntari joined the growing list of absentees when he was forced off through injury minutes before the break.

On 54 minutes the hosts increased their lead further, first Honda met a Kaka free-kick but witnessed his header saved at point blank range by Agazzi. However when the Brazilian received the ball on the left edge of the box he curled a magnificent shot into the opposite corner past the goalkeeper.

The Rossoneri could even afford the luxury of withdrawing players early safe in the knowledge that victory was assured, and on 15 minutes substituted the influential Kaka for countryman Robinho to a standing ovation from the 34,989 in attendance.

However, with seconds remaining there was time for Cristian Zaccardo to miss-control a ball in the Milan box and subsequently foul Cyril Thereau, but the Frenchman got up and cannoned the spot-kick against the crossbar to compound his sides misery.

Next on the calendar for Milan is a visit to Genoa and Clarence Seedorf and his players can travel to the Luigi Ferraris in high spirits, hopeful that they could even record a third consecutive victory for the first time in Serie A this season.

Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton

 

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