Played
November 27, 2011 7:45 PM UTC
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — Milano
Referee: M. Guida
Attendance: 51000
8′ Thiago Silva
33′ Alexandre Pato
43′ (PG) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
AC Milan 4-0 Chievo: Ibrahimovic scores twice and further efforts from Pato and Thiago Silva ensure simple victory for Scudetto holders
The Sweden international racked up a century of Serie A goals as the Rossoneri ran out comfortable winners against Domenico Di Carlo’s men
Zlatan Ibrahimovic reached a century of Serie A goals as AC Milan ran out comfortable 4-0 winners over Chievo at San Siro on Sunday.
Goals from Thiago Silva, Alexandre Pato and a brace from the Sweden international take the Rossoneri up to second in the table, a point behind leaders Juventus.
Coming off the back of a superb performance against Barcelona on Wednesday, it was Milan – who had made five changes in their side – who were completely dominant in the early exchanges.
And it wasn’t long before the Rossoneri scored their first goal of the evening. A cutback from the right touchline by Kevin-Prince Boateng found Thiago Silva, and the Brazilian, on the edge of the area, nonchalantly passed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net to make it 1-0.
Within seven minutes, Milan had doubled their lead, and this time it was Ibrahimovic with his 100th Serie A goal. A pass from Alberto Aquilani found the striker in acres of space just outside the box, and the former Barca man made no mistake curling the ball around Sorrentino in goal.
Chievo were staring down the barrel of a complete humiliation at this point, but still Milan would not relent, and Pato added his name to the scoresheet. A corner from Ibrahimovic was headed away, only for Aquilani to fire a first-time shot back at goal. The shot took a massive deflection, and the Brazilian was on-hand to tap the ball into an empty net, for 3-0.
Michael Bradley rasped a volley just wide of the post on 40 minutes, but on the stroke of half-time Ibrahimovic grabbed his second goal of the game. A foul by Luciano on Pato resulted in a penalty, and the tall forward coolly slotted the spot kick into the top right corner of the net, leaving the keeper with no chance.
The second 45 began in an almost identical fashion to the first. Milan were utterly dominant in every area of the pitch, and nullified every minor threat that Chievo posed. In attack they were fluid, intelligent and industrious, and that high-intensity ethos almost contributed to a fifth goal on 58 minutes, but Pato’s touch let him down inside the box as Sorrentino gathered the ball from under the 22-year-old’s feet.
Milan were happy to take their foot off the gas for the remaining 30 minutes, and left the field at the end of play extremely happy with their days work. Allegri’s side now travel to Genoa on Friday a point behind leaders Juventus, whilst Chievo, who remain in 10th, host in-form Atalanta next Sunday.
AC Milan
1 Marco Amelia Goalkeeper 3.0
20 Ignazio Abate Defender 3.0
4 Thiago Silva Defender 3.5
76 Mario Alberto Yepes Defender 3.0
77 Luca Antonini Defender 3.0
17 Mark van Bommel Midfielder 3.0
– Alberto Aquilani Midfielder 3.0
22 Antonio Nocerino Midfielder 3.0
27 Kevin-Prince Boateng Midfielder 3.0
7 Alexandre Pato Striker 3.0
18 Zlatan Ibrahimovic Striker 3.5
Substitutes
30Flavio Roma Goalkeeper –
25 Daniele Bonera Defender –
10 Clarence Seedorfn Midfielder –
23 Massimo Ambrosini Midfielder –
28 Urby Emanuelson Midfielder 2.5
70 Robinho Striker 3.0
92Stephan El Shaarawy Striker –
Massimiliano Allegri
Coach
Chievo
54 Stefano Sorrentino Goalkeeper 2.5
5 Davide Mandelli Defender 2.5
12 Bostjan Cesar Defender 2.5
13 Bojan Jokic Defender 2.5
21 Nicolas Sebastien Frey Defender 2.5
26 Michael Bradley Midfielder 3.0
7 Paolo Sammarco Midfielder 2.5
10 Luciano Midfielder 2.5
16 Luca Rigoni Midfielder 2.5
31 Sergio Pellissier Striker 2.5
77 Cyril Thereau Striker 2,5
Substitutes
17 Christian Puggioni Goalkeeper –
2.5 Francesco Acerbi Defender –
93 Boukary Dramé Defender –
25 Kamil Vacek Midfielder 2.5
56 Perparim Hetemaj Midfielder 2.5
9 Davide Moscardelli Striker –
23 Alberto Paloschi Striker
Domenico Di Carlo
Coach