Giampaolo Pazzini, on his first start since undergoing
knee surgery last season, and Robinho also got on the score-sheet as the club
began life without Massimiliano Allegri.
The Serie A outfit have struggled this season but there
was no evidence of this on Wednesday as they brushed aside an inferior Spezia.
With Massimilano Allegri sacked on Monday and incoming
coach Clarence Seedorf not on the bench, it was left to Mauro Tassotti to
oversee the comfortable victory.
Philippe Mexes attempted a long-range effort that drifted
narrowly over the bar early on as Milan got used to life after Allegri. That
effort set the tone for the game with the Rossoneri looking comfortable against
the Serie B outfit.
Pazzini was keen to make an impact having been afforded a
rare starting opportunity for Milan after undergoing knee surgery to his right
knee at the end of last season.
The striker was heavily involved in proceedings and could
have put the Rossoneri ahead early during the first half, but perhaps still a
bit rusty from the lengthy lay-off he wasted a couple of chances that fell to
him.
However, the attacker then provided Robinho with an
opportunity to score and the Brazilian made no mistake, diving low to head
Milan in front.
The Rossoneri doubled their lead minutes later as Pazzini
made amends for his earlier missed opportunities, showing his instinctive
prowess to let the ball drop over his shoulder before firing a well-timed
volley beyond Juventus-owned Nicola Leali in Spezia's goal.
Spezia came close to halving the deficit, however, when
Riccardo Montolivo had to react to clear Andrea Bovo's goal-bound header off
the line shortly before half-time.
But it was Milan who further extended the lead when Honda
took advantage by following up from Montolivo's effort, which squirmed out of
the clutches of Leali.
The hosts had further chances to extend the lead through
Pazzini, who should have had a hat-trick, but it was Spezia who grabbed a late
consolation when Ferrari took advantage of Christian Abbiati's parried save.
Culled from Goal
