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A questionable Milanese performance was saved by Filppo Inzaghi, who gave the home side three precious points in a game in which Palermo had defended well for 89 minutes...
Milan arrived at this game all geared up to obtain the three points following the defeats to Juventus and Fiorentina during this 24th matchday, and in the end they have Inzaghi to thank for achieving a hard-earned win.
On the other hand, Palermo’s season has been characterized by inconsistency, and following last Sunday’s win against Cagliari, Francesco Guidolin’s side wanted to prove that they can compete with the best teams, which, but for a lapse in concentration at the end, they might have done.
The Rossoneri started out strongly, but it was Palermo who went ahead in their first opportunity in the 9th minute, as Migliaccio took a deep free-kick towards Bresciano, whose shot from close range was deflected by Oddo's chest past Kalac and into his own goal.
This completely surprised the home side, who henceforth found it difficult to get past a solid Palermo defence. Meanwhile the Rosanero were finding a lot of spaces when counterattacking, and in the 16th minute Amauri went past four men before being stopped by Bonera 17 metres away from goal.
A minute later Milan had claims for a penalty turned down after Barzagli seemed to intercept a ball inside the box with his arm.
In the 20th minute the Rossoneri had their first shot on goal as Kaka tried his luck from the distance, but Fontana managed to block his powerful strike.
Milan managed to equalize in the 24th minute when, following an impressive move by the home team, Oddo crossed from the right hand side towards the far post, where Ambrosini managed to slot home from close range to make it 1-1.
In the space of three minutes around the half hour mark, Pirlo started a personal battle with Fontana through long range free-kicks, but in both cases the Palermo goalkeeper managed to save his goalbound shot.
Jankulovksi had a golden opportunity to put Milan ahead in the 42nd minute, but his close-range shot following a scramble in the penalty area went high. Three minutes later Ambrosini had a good chance, but his header from 10 metres away also flew skyward
Ancelotti introduced Gourcuff at the start of the second half in lieu of a nervous Kaka, who received a booking in the first period after fouling Cassani through frustration.
Even in the second half the visitors proved to be solid at the back, the Rossoneri not finding any space to get past the line of men guarding the penalty area. Thus the game lacked any real entertainment, and chances were few and far in between.
The first shot on goal in fact arrived in the 62nd minute when Pato picked up the ball in midfield and, after going past a Rosanero player, shot from the distance, with the ball being parried wide by the 'keeper.
From the following corner kick, Migliaccio seemed to accidentally hit the ball with his hand as he tried to head clear, but the referee waved play on.
A minute later it was Palermo who could have re-taken the lead, but Kalac deflected for a corner a dangerous free-kick by Simplicio.
In the 69th minute the Sicilian side had another opportunity to score as Guana passed towards the middle for Cavani ,whose shot from 20 metres away went high.
Milan enjoyed a lot of possession, but this proved futile as Ancelotti’s side failed to convert it in goal scoring opportunities.
However, just when everything was pointing towards a draw, the evergreen Inzaghi managed to award the Rossoneri the three points in the 90th minute. Gourcuff crossed from the left hand side, Barzagli played Inzaghi onside, and from close range - unmarked - the veteran headed past Fontana, with the home crowd erupting with joy.
Milan held well in the next four minutes of injury time to take home 3 points which will prove very important in their race for the fourth place in Serie A, as they reached Fiorentina at 41 points.
STARTING LINE-UPS:
Milan (4-3-1-2): Kalac; Oddo, Bonera, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà; Gilardino, Pato
Palermo (3-5-2): Fontana; Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli; Cassani, Guana, Migliaccio, Bresciano, Balzaretti; Amauri, Cavani
Source: GOAL
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