MILAN WIN BERLUSCONI TROPHY

(IN THE PHOTO: De Sciglio and Pazzini with the trophy) 
MILAN- A goal in each half helped AC Milan beat San Lorenzo 2-0 on Wednesday night at the San Siro and lift the Berlusconi Trophy. Pazzini broke the deadlock on 30 minutes while second-half substitute Bonaventura wrapped up the win for Filippo Inzaghi’s side with 5 minutes of the match remaining.The match on Wednesday was the 23rd edition of the Luigi Berlusconi Trophy, but it was the first time Milan took on a team from Argentina. In previous editions of the trophy, Milan have faced Juventus (19 occasions) and the following teams on one occasion: Inter, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich. The latest edition however put Milan, the 7 time European Champions, against the winners of the Copa Libertadores, the equivalent of Europe’s Champions League, which made for a fascinating encounter at the San Siro.Milan, playing in their all white strip, had the game’s first chance after just 5 minutes of play. Niang whipped in a curling ball from a free-kick which Pazzini couldn’t quite connect with and the ball headed out for a goal-kick. Niang was involved again shortly after, forcing the San Lorenzo goalkeeper Leo Franco into a flying save with a dipping free-kick from distance.On the half-hour mark, Milan broke the deadlock through Pazzini. Saponara was the provider playing a ball in from the left which found its way through to the Italian striker who prodded the ball into the back of the net from close distance. Having gone a goal down, San Lorenzo began to venture further forward and finished the first half by pinning Milan back in their own half in the final minutes but without ever testing Abbiati.During the break, head coach Filippo Inzaghi made 4 changes to the side. Poli replaced Essien, Bonaventura came off the bench for Saponara, De Sciglio replaced Bonera while Agazzi came on for Abbiati in goal. Very much like the first-half, Milan started strongly and within minutes Niang came extremely close to doubling the hosts’ lead. The Frenchman found space and unleashed a fierce effort which smashed against the post. Minutes later it was El Shaarawy’s turn to come close as he went on a mazy run past 3 players, only to see his effort pushed away by the goalkeeper while Pazzini couldn’t find the back of the net with his follow-up effort.Milan were piling on the pressure and nearly made it 2-0 when De Sciglio’s cross from the right found its way to El Shaarawy at the back post, but Leo Franco performed a good save to deny the Italian forward.On 62 minutes the goal-scorer Pazzini was replaced by Torres while Albertazzi was also given some playing time replacing Mexes. Minutes later, 16 year-old Mastour came off the bench to replace El Shaarawy.  With 20 minutes to go, Milan had another chance to open up a two goal cushion and it fell to Rami. However, the French defender didn’t get a clean strike to Niang’s free kick and he sent his effort over the bar from point blank range. Minutes later, Niang worked the goalkeeper with a curling free kick from the edge of the penalty area.After rarely causing Milan any trouble in the second half, San Lorenzo had a golden chance to equalise with 10 minutes of the match remaining. Barrientos struck the outside of the post with a shot from distance and then Cauteruccio failed to take advantage of the rebound sending the ball over the bar.Milan made the Argentine side pay for that miss and on 85 minutes Bonaventura wrapped up the win. The Italian midfielder was the quickest to react to a parried effort by Torres and he bundled the ball into an empty net.STARTING LINE-UPS:  MILAN: Abbiati; Bonera, Rami, Mexes, Armero; Van Ginkel, Essien, Poli; Niang, Pazzini, El Shaarawy.SAN LORENZO: Leo Franco; Prosperi, Fontanini, Yepes, Mas; Ortigoza, Kalinski, Barrientos; Blandi, Matos, Villalba.
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