Catania lost 3-1 to AC Milan at the Stadio Massimino on Sunday afternoon in Serie A.
Lucas Castro gave the Etnei the lead before Riccardo Montolivo equalized for the away team. Mario Balotelli and Kaka then ensured a first win for the Rossoneri in six Serie A games.
The away side comfortably controlled the possession in the first 10 minutes albeit they struggled to move the ball into opposition’ dangerous area.
However, it was Catania who took the lead with 12 minutes gone when Maxi Lopez caused chaos in the Milan box and passed to Lucas Castro who swept the ball towards the goal. Though Daniele Bonera managed to stay in the way, the ball was deflected over Gabriel’s reach and went in.
Milan tried hard to fight back after falling behind, they soon found space deep in the Etnei backline. Antonio Nocerino’s powerful long shot was the first sign of their comeback.
The Rossoneri equalized six minutes later when Urby Emanuelson’s cross from left flank found Riccardo Montolivo in the box, who smashed the ball into the net.
Kaka was tightly marked by Catania defenders and when the Brazilian attacking midfielder cut in the box on 30th minute, he failed to find a chance to shoot before the ball was cleared.
Milan continued to control the game but their midfielders rarely had any successful connection with Mario Balotelli, who was largely silent in the first half.
Catania used their width and pace to cause problems to the Rossoneri through counter attack. Andrea Poli and Matias Silvestre both got yellow cards due to their reckless challenges.
Near the end of the first half, Fabian Monzon dribbled through the middle but the Argentine’s shot from 25 yard out was saved by Gabriel.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men piled on pressure after the second half began. Poli managed to cross the ball into the box but Nicolas Rolin cleared the ball before Balotelli touched the ball.
Balotelli fell down after having some body contact with Rolin two minutes later when the Etnei defender was the last man on the backline but referee Nicola Rizzolli denied the AC Milan players’ protest for a red card.
AC Milan took the lead on the 63rd minute when Balotelli scored a spectacular free kick. After Walter Birsa was brought down by Nicola Spolli just out side of the box, the Rossoneri front man smashed the ball into the left bottom corner of Pablo Andujar’s goal.
Catania went down to 10 men when Panagiotis Tachtsidis received a direct red card for a terrible foul on Balotelli one minute later.
As a result,the game became more open and both teams created good chances. Catania midfielder Jaroslav Plasil’s shot flew just over the bar on before Balotelli’s left-footed shot inside the box was saved by Andujar.
Allegri brought on Stephan El Sharawaay on 74th minute, allowing the 21-year-old striker play his very first league game in three months.
Catania coach De Canio kept pushing his players forward but they left too much space behind.
Kaka’s individual effort endured the Rossoneri a bigger margin when the Brazilian dribbled through the right flank and smashed the ball in from a very tight angle on 81th minute.
AC Milan continued to dominate in the final minutes of the game but neither sides failed to create any more chances.
