(IN THE PHOTO - Milan players celebrate the opener against Pro Piacenza)
MILANELLO - Milan returned to work on Saturday after comfortably defeating Pro Piacenza in a closed-door friendly at Milanello on Thursday and a day's rest on Friday.
Filippo Inzaghi fielded a strong side against Pro Piacenza ahead of Sunday’s friendly against Valencia and his players responded immediately. Muntari scored after just five minutes from close range from a Bonera cross. On 28 minutes a Menez run allowed Honda to double the advantage, and that was how the teams headed into the break.
The Milan coach changed his team for the second 45 minutes, but the goals kept on coming. Pazzini generously allowed Niang to tap on the third one minute after the restart and just one minute later the visitors reduced the gap through Mella. In the 55th minute an El Shaarawy cross allowed Pazzini to get his name on the scoresheet and two minutes later El Shaarway turned from assist man to goal scorer himself with a fine strike to secure a 5-1win for Milan.
MILAN-PRO PIACENZALINE-UPS:
Milan (First half): Abbiati; Albertazzi, Bonera, Rami, Zapata; De Jong, Muntari, Poli; Balotelli, Honda, Menez.Pro Piacenza (First half): Iali; Ballarini, Castellana, Ignico, Aliboni, Bini, Matteassi, Schiavini, Torri, Ravasi, Pasaro. Subs: Donnarumma, Rieti, Mella, Silva, Porcino, Zambelli, Mazzocchi, Caboni, Speziale, Balduccelli.
MILAN (Second half): Agazzi; Abate, Alex, Mexes, Zaccardo; Essien, Modic, Saponara; El Shaarawy, Niang, Pazzini.PRO PIACENZA (Second half): Donnarumma; Castellana, Ignico, Rieti, Mella, Silva, Porcino, Zambelli, Mazzocchi, Caboni, Speziale.