Beckham Scores As Milan Thrash Ten-Man Bologna

David Beckham scored his first Serie A goal and Kaka completed a fine brace as Bologna were undone by Milan at the Stadio Renato Dall`Ara...


Bologna 1-4 Milan

Pre-Match News

Bologna boss Sinisa Mihajlovic picked up a suspension last week and thus would have to watch from the stands.

Once again coach Carlo Ancelotti left Ronaldinho on the bench. Meanwhile, David Beckham received his third consecutive Serie A start. Philippe Senderos had a rare chance to impress.

First Half

The match started at a very high tempo, going end to end. Volpi found himself alone in the box and Christian Abbiati parried his low shot. On the other end, great interchange play from Milan in tight space saw Clarence Seedorf's one-timer fly over the bar.

A mazy run by Amoroso split two Milan defenders and he was eventually bundled over in the box, saw Bologna received an early penalty and capocannnoniere Marco Di Vaio roofed the spot-kick to give the Rossoblu the lead after 10 minutes!

However, Milan hit back almost immediately to level the scores at one a piece. Kaka's long range drive was parried by Antonioli, but only into the path of Clarence Seedorf who redirected the rebound into the net.

There was another penalty just a couple minutes later! Beckham released Gianluca Zambrotta down the right and he ran into the box in a similar move to Amoroso's earned penalty. The potential 100 million euro man, Kaka, easily dispatched the penalty to now turn the game in favour of Milan with a 2-1 scoreline.

Bologna were not disheartened and kept up their pressure, a long ball found Di Vaio in the box after Senderos misjudged the flight of the ball, but his volley was smothered by Abbiati.

Milan were content to wait for openings now that they had the lead, attacking on the counter and a promising move ended on the half hour mark when Massimo Ambrosini fouled his marker when Kaka had cut the ball back for him.

Kaka flopped over after a shirt tug to give Milan a dangerous free-kick on the right side of the area, but David Beckham's floating freekick was cleared without much trouble, as Bologna were doing a good job holding their defensive shape.

Bologna found themselves down to ten men on 39 minutes! Gabi Mudingayi fouled Pato as Milan were going on a promising counter attack, thus picking up his second yellow card and exiting the game early!

Milan practically ended the match just before half-time. Kaka and Pato combined very well, before the Milan number 22 unleashed a laser into the net from the edge of the area to make it 3-1 as Milan seemed to coast to the end the first half.

Second Half

Milan started the second half and Beckham set up a great chance for Pato, but his snapshot flew over the cross bar. Bologna then had the chance to cut the deficit with a freekick, but Adailton`s effort was too central and Abbiati simply caught the ball.

A great pass from Pirlo set Seedorf free, and the Dutchman nearly assisted Kaka with a hat-trick before the ball was put out for a corner by Moras. The Rossoneri were making the most of the space with their extra man, maintaining plenty of possession.

David Beckham then competed a counter-attack for Carlo Ancelotti`s side, grabbing his first Serie A goal!

Pato played the ball across to Seedorf, who tapped the ball ahead for the player on loan from the LA Galaxy to hammer into the top of the net! 4-1 Milan and not even the most hopeful of Bologna fans could see a way back for their side.

Di Vaio attempted to add more to his 15 goals on the season, but Abbiati and the Milan defense were up to the task of stopping him as it seemed Bologna was now content to simply wait until full-time.

Beckham tried to grab another as well, but his shot whizzed just wide as substitute Filippo Inzaghi was lurking. Another substitute, Ronaldinho then tried an audacious chip from far out, but it was off the mark. Beckham then tried a curling shot/cross from the right side of the area, but it ended up out of bounds.

Overall, the second half was not much of a struggle for Milan or Bologna to complete as the Rossoneri cut the point deficit to Juventus and Inter to three points, at least until the Nerazzurri play on Sunday evening.

Bologna 1-4 Milan

Goals: 10' Di Vaio penalty (B), 12' Seedorf (M), 15' Kaka penalty (M), 43`Kaka (M), 60`Beckham (M)

Booked: 56`Zambrotta (M)

Sent Off: 39' Mudingayi (B)

Bologna: Antonioli - Zenoni, Terzi, Moras, Bombardini - Adailton (88' Rodriguez), Amoroso (71`Casarini), Mudinagyi, Volpi, Valiani - Di Vaio (83` Marazzina)

Milan: Abbiati - Zambrotta (67`Antonini), Senderos, Maldini, Favalli - Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini - Seedorf, Kaka (71` Inzaghi) - Pato (71` Ronaldino)

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