AC Milan's climb up the Serie A table continued on Wednesday night after Alberto Gilardino grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Reggina.
Reggina, who had taken four points from its previous two games, offered little in attack and never looked like stunting Milan's progress once Gilardino put the Rossoneri ahead after 18 minutes.
The Italy striker, who has fallen down the pecking order at the San Siro club in recent weeks following the return to fitness of Ronaldo and the emergence of Brazilian sensation Alexandre Pato, nodded home Andrea Pirlo's centre to settle a dour encounter.
With Ronaldo again in the treatment room, Gilardino was handed the chance to partner Pato in attack and seized his chance with both hands to set Milan up nicely for the weekend clash against Fiorentina.
With the Viola sitting in fourth, seven points ahead of Milan, it is a match Carlo Ancelotti's men must win if they are to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Reggina remain a point above the relegation zone but they will have to show more attacking flair in their remaining games if they are to stay in the top flight.
The hosts were second-best throughout.
Milan started well and could have gone ahead inside a quarter of an hour when Gennaro Gattuso burst through a couple of challenges before firing in a shot which home keeper Andrea Campagnolo saved well.
Milan went ahead from their next attack, Pirlo crossing from the left for Gilardino to power a header into the net from close range.
Gilardino and Gattuso both came close again as the Rossoneri turned the screw.
It took Reggina 32 minutes to muster a shot on target, Fabio Ceravolo getting the better of Alessandro Nesta before seeing his shot blocked by Milan keeper Zeljko Kalac.
The second half continued in the same vein with Milan dominating possession.
Gattuso came close once more with a curling effort before Bruno Cirillo had to make a great last-ditch tackle to deny Gilardino just as he was about to shoot.
Pirlo is regarded as one of the best free-kick takers in the world and he twice came close to doubling Milan's lead.
His first effort was tipped round the post by Campagnolo and the second crashed off the bar with the keeper beaten.
Campagnolo distinguished himself again shortly afterwards with a brilliant save to keep out Emerson's far-post header.
Reggina never really threatened an equalizer although Francesco Cozza did trouble Kalac with a 20-yard drive.
No comments:
Post a Comment