AC Milan thrashed Pescara 4-0 at the Stadio Adriatico on Wednesday evening in Serie A.
Two goals from Mario Balotelli and one each from Sulley Muntari and Mathieu Flamini gave Milan a substantial victory over the Delfini, who provided very little attacking threat to the Rossoneri.
Milan should have taken the lead as early the second minute, when Balotelli stuck the Pescara crossbar from within the six yard box, however, just seven minutes later the Italian striker was giving the Rossoneri the lead after Uros Cosic’s challenge on Antonio Nocerino had provided an opportunity from the penalty spot, which he calmly rolled in past Mattia Perin.
M’Baye Niang was provided a constant threat down the right and nearly created a second for fellow striker Robinho, only to see his chipped cross tipped away by Perin, moments later the Brazilian returned the favour for Niang, but, misjudging the bounce, was penalised for handling when seemingly about to score.
With the Biancazzurri failure to trouble Milan a chance eventually came, Romulo Togni’s long ball over the Diavolo defence controlled by Giuseppe Sculli, however, the striker scuffed his attempt, leaving Christian Abbiati to watch it bobble slowly across the six yard box.
In the 33rd minute Milan finally doubled their lead, an unnecessary foul on Balotelli by Giuseppe Rizzo, allowing Robinho to swing a free-kick towards the back post that the onrushing Muntari struck left footed, and, although slightly miss hit, the ball it bounced up over Perin, taking a slight deflection off Sculli on the way.
Five minutes into the second half a poor pass from Balotelli seemed to be leading nowhere, but a feeble attempt to return the ball to Perin from Luciano Zauri saw Robinho burst onto the loose ball, sending over a measured cross from the left for Flamini to fire in from close range for the third.
On 57 minutes it was four, an excellent cross field pass by Muntari finding Flamini on the right, the Frenchman rolled the ball into Balotelli’s feet yards from goal and the 22-year-old turned expertly, despite the attentions of the Pescara defence, firing high into the roof of the net.
Milan started trying out their party pieces and substitute Giampaolo Pazzini should have provided a fifth, Balotelli nonchalantly scooping the ball up over the Pescara defensive line, but after breaking unattended into the box, the Italian placed his shot to close to Perin.
With 10 minutes remaining Pescara midfielder Rizzo was lucky not receive his marching orders for a second bookable offence, after a dangerous looking challenge from behind on Stephan El Shaarawy went unpunished by the referee, perhaps in sympathy for the Biancazzarri.
As the final moments were played out like a training exercise for the Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri was left to contemplate a valuable three points in the race to secure Champions League qualification, with Roma up next in Serie A.
