Inzaghi scores 300th career goal as Milan smash Siena

New Delhi: The legendary hitman scored twice to make it 300 career goals, while Alexandre Pato also hit a double in a stunning Tuscan rout, but the returning Kaka limped off injured again.

With their Scudetto hopes all but over, Milan came into this game knowing that they needed to keep winning in order to ensure they qualify for next season's Champions League. The Rossoneri still had serious injury problems as Gattuso, Borriello, Kalac, Nesta, Kaladze, Bonera, and Seedorf were all injured. Ronaldinho and Kaka returned to the bench after lay-offs, while last week's hat-trick hero Pippo Inzaghi partnered Alexandre Pato in attack.

Siena had ended a six-match winless streak last time out by winning at Catania, and were looking for another impressive scalp. The Tuscans were minus the services of the injured Rossettini, Guadalupi, Mancini, and the suspended Daniele Galloppa, but were otherwise at full strength.

First Half

Milan started the better of the two teams, and with just five minutes on the clock they were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead. Mathieu Flamini was adjudged to have been felled by Houssine Kharja in the area, and the referee awarded a penalty. Andrea Pirlo stepped up and made no mistake, shooting powerfully to Gianluca Curci's right.

The away side received a blow on 11 minutes though, as goalkeeper Christian Abbiati was stretchered off with what looked like a serious injury, and he was replaced by Nelson Dida.

Siena tried to hit back, with Juan Zuniga particularly menacing down the right. Emanuele Calaio fired off target, while Massimo Maccarone lashed a fierce volley just wide.

Calaio wasted Siena's first real chance on 27 minutes, as he headed wide when well placed, following a fine cross from left back Cristiano Del Grosso.

Ahmad Barusso shot well over, Del Grosso tested Dida with a free kick, and Simone Vergassola wasted a good opening as he volleyed over at the back post.

But it was Milan who scored a second in first half injury time. Inzaghi lost his man at a corner, and in true predator fashion

, the 35-year-old swept the ball home from close range.

Second Half

Kaka made his long overdue return from injury at the beginning of the second half, replacing Massimo Ambrosini.

Kharja embarked on a stunning solo run, and slipped Calaio through on goal, who fired past Dida. However, the offside flag was correctly raised by the linesman.

Milan were incredibly clinical in front of goal, and on 54 minutes they made it three. Pato received the ball 30 yards from goal and unleashed a rocket into the top corner. It was a stunning strike by the wonderkid.

It should have been four minutes later but for a contender for miss of the season by Kaka. Flamini did brilliantly down the left, committed Curci before cutting back to Kaka, but the substitute incredibly fired over a virtual open goal from six yards.

Maccarone was still lively for the home side, and just past the hour mark, he gave Siena some hope by pulling a goal back. The ex-Middlesbrough man shot into the bottom corner from just outside area.

Milan regrouped, and an inspired Beckham cross almost located Inzaghi for his second of the game. However, it was only a matter of time until Superpippo did get on the scoresheet again, and he ran onto Pirlo's pass and shot past Curci at the near post. It was the 300th goal of the legend's career, and he ran to the touchline to hold up a shirt with the number 300 on it.

It was not all good news for Milan though, as Kaka, who was making his return, had to be withdrawn due to injury. Ronaldinho entered the fray.

This game was fast becoming a rout, and on 78 minutes, Milan made it five. Pato ran onto Ronaldinho's pass, eluded Curci, and slotted into an empty net.

Siena hoped to find a second consolation, and substitute Nicola Amoruso almost turned Kharja's cross in, while Paul Codrea clipped the bar with a 25-yard drive.

Beckham should have made it six with the last kick of the game, but this was Inzaghi's day, and the whole of Italy will now salute one of the greatest goalscorers in the history of football.

Teams

Siena: Curci; Zuniga, Portanova, Brandao (Ficagna 48), Del Grosso, Barusso (Ghezzal 56), Codrea, Vergassola, Kharja, Maccarone, Calaio (Amoruso 69)

Milan: Abbiati (Dida 11), Zambrotta, Favalli, Maldini, Jankulovski, Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini (Kaka 46), Beckham, Pato, Inzaghi

Goals

Pirlo pen 6 (M)

Inzaghi 45 (M)

Pato 54 (M)

Maccarone 61 (S)

Inzaghi 71 (M)

Pato 78 (M)

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Comment: Just face it, Pippo Inzaghi is a legendEnglish angle: 6+5 = FIFA punishing the Premier League's successPlayer ratings: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester City