Pummelling Parma

Antonio Cassano opens his account

AC Milan 4 Parma 0

A four nil score-line against Parma shouldn't be flattering. It doesn't flatter me. Lucarelli and Paci holding the defense with Gobbi and Zaccardo on the flanks; four goals is nothing out of the ordinary. What clearly stood out as extraordinary was Cassano's performance. He scored his first in Milan colors and broke his duck whole also setting up Robinho twice. Parma were downed by an ingenious long range strike from Pirlo earlier this season. They had defended deep, plugging the play. Opening those spaces didn't help their cause this time.

Ibrahimovic's involvement in this game remained high. Silva moved back into defense leaving a slot open for young Merkel to shine. The German is quickly becoming first team material in a stacked midfield. Milan have shown more of an attacking threat when he has played in midfield while compared to a 3 man functional force. Parma's midfield barely got to dictate the tempo because the two generals Gattuso and Bommel were taking matters in their own hands. Milan look a lot more composed at the back with the conventional pairing of Nesta and Silva. The experiment has worked for Milan but Silva is best suited at the back. Scratch beneath the surface and a bunch of random, painfully average defenders claim their stake. Also, Merkel and Strasser should be seeing more of the ball.

Parma's front three were taking a walk around the park. Post the break though, Parma decided to show up. They were more aggressive in their challenges and their game. Robinho came on in the second half and kicked Parma in their teeth with the third. The front three's combination this season has been enthralling. Parma had no answer to the moves of Ibrahimovic, Cassano and Robinho. Pato must have sat and marked his calender on the bench realizing his stint at the San Siro is coming to a screeching halt. Moments later, the fourth arrived. Robinho's second of the night, the Brazilian's confidence booming in this game. After a string of questionable results, Allegri needed a big win. Well, he got it. The next four weeks are desperately crying for similar performances.

Milan - Seedorf 8', Cassano 17', Robinho 62', 65'

Parma - /