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Kaka bagged a brace
Thursday, December 21, 2006
AC Milan registered their first win in four Serie A matches by brushing aside the challenge of high-flying Catania on Wednesday night.
The Rossoneri went into the match just three points above the drop zone, but proved too strong for the visitors, eventually winning with ease thanks to a Kaka double and another Alberto Gilardino goal.
Brazil playmaker Kaka got the ball rolling after just four minutes and the victory was sealed with two goals in the final eight minutes, the first one coming from Gilardino, who netted twice in a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina at the weekend.
The defeat handed Catania a stark dose of reality following their impressive start to the season after promotion in the summer.
The Sicilian outfit arrived at the San Siro in fourth place but returned south well beaten.
They got off to the worst possible start when Kaka put Milan ahead from the hosts' first attack.
Gilardino held the ball up well before playing in Kaka and he made no mistake with a crisp finish.
Kaka was irrepressible in the early stages and he almost made it 2-0 after 14 minutes following a mazy run into the area. His shot, however, flew wide.
Ricardo Oliveira, signed to replace Andriy Shevchenko over the summer, has struggled to replicate his Real Betis form in Italy and he again showed his nervousness in front of goal four minutes before the break.
The Brazilian got clear of the last man, but fluffed his lines when faced by Catania keper Armando Pantanelli.
Catania almost levelled on the stroke of half-time with a rare foray forward.
Fabio Caserta's cross picked out Gionatha Spinesi, but his header skimmed the bar on its way over.
Ricardo Oliveira failed to hit the target again after 53 minutes as Milan started the second period on top while, shortly afterwards, Marek Jankulovski fired a long-range effort wide.
Catania were struggling to get out of their own half and only a fine save from Pantanelli denied Kaka his second of the night nine minutes from time.
The Milan fans, in a crowd of just 40,000 at the San Siro, did not have long to wait, though, as their favourites moved 2-0 ahead shortly afterwards.
Gennaro Gattuso picked out Kakha Kaladze and his cross was perfect for Gilardino to clip home.
Catania heads dropped and it was no surprise when the Rossoneri scored again with two minutes to go.
Gilardino turned provider by setting up Kaka and he capped a fine individual display with a neat finish from close range.
The visitors could have pulled one back in injury time, but Spinesi's shot was cleared off the line by Kaladze.
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