AC Milan beat Catania 4-2 in a thrilling encounter at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday night in Serie A.
Two goals in three minutes from substitute Giampaolo Pazzini, and a Mario Balotelli penalty saved Milan from defeat, after a superb Gonzalo Bergessio goal had given Catania the lead for the second time in the match, following Mathieu Flamini’s equaliser cancelling out Nicola Legrottaglie’s 30th minute header.
In a match dominated by Milan the visitors twice took the lead through, but the Rossoneri eventually made their superiority count, as the returning Balotelli lead them to victory with an energetic display.
Within the first three minutes of the game the Rossoneri could have been awarded a penalty, however, with Kevin-Prince Boateng’s shot deflecting unkindly off Giovanni Marchese before striking Legrottaglie’s arm, it would have been harsh on the Elefanti.
The next few minutes continued at a fantastic pace with Milan creating chances through Balotelli and Riccardo Montolivio, before Flamini, breaking into the Catania box looked destine to score, only to overrun the ball.
The frequency with which the Frenchman was seen arriving in the opposition penalty area was evidence of the attacking freedom he had been provided by coach Massimiliano Allegri, having shots charged down on two separate occasions early on.
On 16 minutes Flamini played a clever one-two with Balotelli, yet with his strike blocked once more the ball broke to Boateng on the right and, from his low cross, Balotelli was just inches away from giving Il Diavolo the lead.
Some excellent play from Milan, who had full-backs Ignazio Abate and Mattia De Sciglio effectively operating as wingers, saw Boateng hook the ball into the box only to see that man Flamini again fail to test Alberto Frison due to the efforts of centre-back Alexis Rolin.
On 30 minutes Catania surprisingly took the lead when Francesco Lodi curled an excellent free-kick into the box, which Legrottaglie met high above the Milan defence and flew into the top corner past Marco Amelia.
Although it did not seem possibly the Rossoneri increased the pressure on the Catania goal, Stephan El-Shaarawy’s attempt to control the ball on his chest volleyed with ferocity by Boateng against the crossbar, then, with the frame of the goal still shaking the Ghanaian returned the favour, chesting down for the Italian, but Frison made an brilliant low save down to his right.
Just a minute later frantic defending took place in the Rossazzuri penalty area as Rolin charged down Balotelli’s drive and the Catania keeper, debuting in Serie A, saved low from Antonio Nocerino.
What was then looking like a one man crusade against the Milan attack saw the 24-year-old keeper save two Balotelli free-kicks within three minutes.
In comical fashion it was the Catania defence that nearly created the equaliser for Milan, when Marchese’s free-kick deep in the Rossazzurri half rebounded off the back of Sergio Almiron, but Flamini, advancing towards Frison’s goal was tripped by Legrottaglie.
However, on 45 minutes Abate delivery from the right was expertly chested down by Boateng for the arriving Flamini to drill past Frison.
Keen to reclaim third position Milan started the second half as they had the first and within two minutes Frison had twice nervously thwarted El-Shaarawy low to his right.
While continuing the rate of chances on the opposition goal the Rossoneri failed to trouble Frison as they had during the first period and the game became increasingly stretched.
With more space for the opposition to create chances of their own Pablo Barrientos provided a wonderful pass in behind Abate and the onrushing Bergessio who gave Amelio little chance with a perfectly weighted chipped that also eluded the attempt to clear by De Sciglio.
Having to chase the game, Milan’s frustrations grew and unsurprisingly Balotelli was cautioned on 72 minutes for making his displeasure known to the referee after apparently being fouled outside the Rossazzurri box.
Minutes later Balotelli decided to take his frustrations out on the ball and his powerful drive was met by a poor attempt to punch away by Frison, unfortunately for the keeper Milan substitute Pazzini was first to react, side footing the ball into the net via the post.
Two minutes later Milan broke again, Montolivio perfectly timing a pass down the right of the defence to El-Shaarawy and when his strike was palmed across his own box by the keeper the approaching Pazzini placed his shot through a crowd of players for his second.
With 10 minutes to go Bergessio wasted a good opportunity to equaliser when he failed to connect cleanly with Barrientos’ cross and the ball looped over Amelia and the crossbar.
As the game reached its conclusion Balotelli was a fouled by Mariano Izco in the penalty area and picked himself up to confidently place the penalty past Frison.
