Alexandre Pato

AC Milan took a giant leap towards clinching the Scudetto when they defeated Inter Milan, their city rivals 3-0 at San Siro to move 5 points clear of their city rivals and fierce competitors. A stronghold of Inter for 5 years, AC Milan had fallen off the grace when they were docked huge points due to the match fixing scandal way back. However after seeing their city rivals dominate the Italian League, they have mounted a serious fight back for retaining the trophy. And with yesterday’s superlative performance, they have inched close to their Scudetto triumph.

Alexander Pato was the hero for the Rossoneri’s as he netted a brace in the 1^st and the 62^nd minute before substitute Antonio Cassano struck the third goal in the 90^th minute to rub salt to the wounds of Inter Milan. With Milan hero Leonardo at the helm of Inter, AC Milan fans clearly showed their displeasure and chanted slogans against him as his return back to Milan proved to be a nightmare.

Ironically both sides ended the game with a man down as Christian Chivu was  sent off for Inter in the 54^th minute and strangely and comically Antonio Cassano also got booked for a second offence as he needlessly fouled to give the referee no choice but to send him off.  Pato put AC Milan ahead with just 45 seconds on the clock to record a perfect start for the league leaders but Inter came back strongly with their forward line of Pazzini and Eto’ threatening the Milan goalkeeper Abbiati.  Inter thought they had levelled in the 38th minute when Thiago Motta’s header was saved right on the goal-line by Christian Abbiati generating celebrations across the stadium. But Chivu’s dismissal in the early stages of the second half totally blunted the prospects of Internazionale as pato struck again in the 64^th minute to double the lead. Antonio Cassano struck late into the game in the 90^th minute courtesy a penalty thereby sealing 3 points and perhaps the trophy for AC Milan.

Leonardo has refused to concede defeat for the Scudetto but right now they need to fight off a fight back from surprise package Napoli as they have secured the second position after defeating Lazio 4-3 in a thriller.

Tags: AC Milan, Alexander Pato, Alexandre Pato, Champions League, Inter Milan, San Siro, Scudetto, UEFA Champions League