AC Milan defeated Parma 2-1 at the San Siro in Serie A action Friday night.
The home side went ahead six minutes before half on an own goal from Gabriel Paletta, with Mario Balotelli putting the match to rest with a picturesque free-kick 13 minutes from full time. Nicola Sansone grabbed a consolation for the visitors in injury time.
Kevin-Prince Boateng cut inside from the flank on five minutes to release a shot from distance, but Nicola Pavarini was easily able to gather the tame, central effort from the Ghanaian.
The Rossoneri had a nervy moment at the other end, with Christian Abbiati needing to tip Mario Yepes’ headed back pass over the crossbar as it dipped dangerously at the last moment.
Paletta got in touch with his offensive roots as he silkily skipped past Yepes into the penalty area, yet the imposing defender’s cross-cum-shot eluded both the far post and the streaking Jonathan Biabiany as the chance went begging.
Ducali defender Andrea Coda administered an open-handed slap to the back of Balotelli’s head to gift the Italian a free-kick attempt, which the marquee January signing proceeded to blaze into the wall.
Abbiati was forced into action soon after, diving to his right to pluck Amauri’s header from a Biabiany cross out of the air.
Balotelli released Boateng down the left with an incisive pass to roll across for M’Baye Niang, whose penalty appeal was denied despite appearing to have been dragged down as he pursued the ball at the back post.
The Rossoneri found themselves out in front on 39 minutes under rather fortuitous circumstances, as Paletta slid in to deal with a long ball into the box from Boateng, but inadvertently redirected the ball past the charging Pavarini.
After the halftime restart, a slick passing move from the hosts saw Boateng go just wide of the far post from a dangerous position, whilst the Ghanaian was just barely unable to get his head to Sulley Muntari’s cross unmarked.
Balotelli sprung the offside trap to chase Riccardo Montolivo’s defence-splitting ball, but Pavarini rushed off his line to hoof it clear outside his penalty area.
Roberto Donadoni opted to make his first change of the day on 56 minutes, Sotirios Ninis coming on for Marco Parolo on the left side of midfield.
Another free-kick by Balotelli was blocked by the Parma defence, and the Italy international’s searing stike on the rebound skewed wide of the mark.
Bojan replaced Boateng for the home side, with Yohan Benalouane entered at Coda’s expense for the opposition.
Amauri dragged a shot past the far post with Parma’s first shot of the second period, whilst Antonio Nocerino’s long-distance lob was off the mark after Pavarini had come far off his line to clear.
Ishak Belfodil was introduced for Amauri with the Ducali continuing to struggle offensively as time ticked away.
However, Milan increased their lead just minutes later, as Balotelli expertly curled home a free-kick to extend his scoring streak to start his Diavolo career to three matches.
Bakaye Traore made a late camero for Niang, with Sansone stabbing home a rebound deep into stoppages for Parma.
The referee whistled the match dead soon after the restart, as Max Allegri’s men claimed the three points in the friendly confines.
You can follow Ian Capasso on Twitter: @capasso10
