AC Milan defeated bottom of the table Catania 1-0 this evening at San Siro in Serie A.
Riccardo Montolivo’s 23rd minute strike ensured that Milan remain in touching distance of Europa League qualification as Catania finished the game with ten men following Fabian Rinaudo’s late dismissal.
The Rossoneri came into the game seeking to extend their three match winning run while Catania were playing under Maurizio Pellegrino for the first time following coach Rolando Maran’s second dismissal of the season last week.
In the opening exchanges it was the visitors who had the better of the game as Pablo Barrientos fired wide before forcing a fine full stretch save from Christian Abbiati.
Adil Rami wasted a golden opportunity from Kaka’s teasing set piece delivery as the home side struggled to create and break down the visitor’s defence.
The deadlock was broken just moments later as Montolivo hit a low effort from 30 yards out that caught Mariano Andujar by surprise and flew in at the near post to give the Rossoneri a scarcely deserved lead with their first shot on target.
Adel Taraabt came close to doubling Milan’s lead with a curling effort that was just wide and for Catania Sebastian Leto hit a long range effort that Abbiati saved comfortably before Mario Balotelli placed a free kick narrowly over from just outside the box.
Taarabt once again highlighted his ability on the ball with some wonderful dribbling on the edge of the box before laying the ball to Balotelli who forced Andujar into making a comfortable save.
Into the second half, Andrea Poli could only glance a Daniele Bonera cross and push it out of reach of the unmarked Balotelli at the far post as the Rossoneri slowly started to dominate possession.
Philippe Mexes came close with an ambitious acrobatic effort following a well worked free kick from Balotelli but his effort flew over the bar.
The visitors refused to go down without a fight and they had several shouts for a penalty turned away as both sides once again struggled to produce any clear goal scoring opportunities.
With 15 minutes to play Abbiati once again had to be at full stretch to deny a long range Francesco Lodi free kick that was destined for the top corner of the net.
Catania would have to play with 10 men for the final dozen minutes as Rinaudo received a second yellow card for a two footed lunge on Mexes after a heavy touch enabled the Frenchman to steal possession in midfield.
Taarabt once again came close to sealing the result but once more his effort curled past the far post leaving Andujar rooted to the spot and a minute later it was Baotelli’s turn to fire over again as wayward finishing from the Rossoneri was all too frequent as the game reached its conclusion.
