AC Milan followed up a midweek win against Fiorentina with a
Kaka inspired 3-0 victory to take all 3 points in the San Siro against Chievo.
From the outset both sides were buoyed by midweek results,
with Chievo claiming victory against relegation rivals Bologna.
However it was Milan who started the stronger at high tempo
with a succession of short snappy passes.
The ‘flying donkeys’ barely got out of the traps before
super Mario Balotelli got the Rossoneri off to a perfect start by netting
inside 4 minutes from close range.
Adel Taarabt threatened soon after with a shot from just
outside the area, parried by Michael Agazzi, his direct running proving a
problem for Chievo.
After a fast paced start where Milan exercised home dominance,
Chievo whose away record this season has been woeful, edged back into the game
with a spell of better ball retention.
Nevertheless, Milan looked capable of unlocking the door to the
visitor’s defence each time they ventured forward.
On 27 minutes, Kaka rolled back the years on his 300th
appearance for AC Milan with a goal, after some great team build up, the
Brazilian chested the ball down from an exquisite pass by Keisuke Honda and
slotted past the keeper from 5 yards.
Kaka continued his renaissance moments later with some
trademark midfield work, despatching a through ball into the path of Balotelli
who squared in the box for Honda to make it 3-0, only for the Japanese captain
to blaze over the bar.
Before the game, Milan manager Clarence Seedorf talked about
a need to show consistency and continuity in order to put a run of results
together if they’re to salvage something from this torrid season.
The 18 times Serie A winners had clearly listened to the
Dutchman, who picked up where they left off after the break.
A set piece from Kaka on 54 minutes found the head of Honda,
who brought a reflex save out of Agazzi, however, the ball came back to Kaka
who had time to compose himself, rifling a right foot curling shot beyond the
Chievo goalkeeper.
From that point on Milan were comfortable, and continued to
keep a stranglehold on the game.
Man of the moment Kaka would not complete his hat trick
after being substituted for fellow countryman Robinho on 73 minutes but that by
no means tainted a memorable performance and the fans let him know with a
standing ovation.
Rumour has it Kaka may be leaving the Rossoneri at the end
of the season, with a move to the MLS potentially on the cards.
On this performance, Seedorf and Chief Executive Adriano Galliani may look to offer the talismanic midfielder an improved contract to
stay at the San Siro for at least another season.
The referee threatened to take the shine off the result by
giving Chievo a penalty in added time, following Zaccardo’s challenge on Thereau.
Replays showed it was nothing more than a 50/50 tackle.
Thereau hit the bar with his effort from 12 yards and the
clean sheet along with the 3 points were Milan’s.
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