Milan took on Cagliari at the San Siro, knowing that whatever the result was, they would still be lifting the trophy at full time – even taking the victory parade on the way to the fixture. The game had a melancholy tinge to the celebrations, many of Milan’s “Old Guard” unsure of their contract situations – the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso with a very real chance of just completing their last ever home game for the Rossoneri.
However all the sadness was forgotten as Milan trounced the Sardinians on the way to a fitting 4-1 victory, goals from Gattuso, Seedorf and a brace from Robinho capped off an impressive triumph that was evocative of the season Il Diavolo has had.
It was Cagliari who had the first chance of the game, a long shot from Nainggolan perhaps touching the tip of the crossbar. Cagliari continued brightly, the likes of Cossu and Lazzari moving the ball around neatly, the former behind many of the away sides moves.
Milan had two chances around the 15 minute mark, Alex Pato getting a free header but directing it straight at Agazzi, while Robinho followed up a charged down Emanuelson half volley and forced a save out of the goalkeeper.
However it was the Brazilian who broke the deadlock with a fantastic goal just shy of 23 minutes, the former City man picking the ball up on the left hand side of the pitch and floating past 3 defenders and finishing past Agazzi in goal.
Milan then doubled their lead in unorthodox fashion, Alex Pato making a run onto a ball that was smothered by Agazzi, which was then rebounded off Clarence Seedorf and landed right onto the head of Rino Gattuso, who nodded the ball into an empty net.
Milan were dominating, and nearly made it three when Pato once again went clear, but his chip shot was too weak to trouble Agazzi.
However the Rossineri did in fact make it 3 when Pato laid the ball onto Robinho who finished easily.
Cossu then gave Cagliari a lifeline with a moment of brilliance, taking the ball past Yepes with ease and sliding the ball past Abbiati.
It was the last major act of an entertaining half, and after the break Andrea Pirlo entered the foray for his potentially final game at the Guiseppe Meazza.
It was Cagliari who started well, testing Abbiati when Perico’s shot from distance burnt the Rossoneri goalie’s fingertips.
Clarence Seedorf then made it 4-1 a beautifully worked move between himself and Alex Pato on the edge of the box, with the Dutchman finishing comfortably, before sharing a nice moment with Antonio Cassano.
The Milan fans then received another gift, when Filippo Inzaghi came on for Pato, and received a rapturous applause from the Curva. Milan were crowned as Champions at full time, and after this performance, and their season in total, there is no more deserving team of the 2011 Scudetto.
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