AC MILAN v BOLOGNA: TIME MACHINE

Matchday 3 of the league sees AC Milan face Bologna at San Siro in one of Italian football's most traditional and entertaining fixtures. The previous season's 0-0 draw ended a run of five consecutive Serie A wins on home turf against the Felsinei. Amongst others, the contest against the Rossoblu is reminiscent for all AC Milan fans of the huge league victory of 1 May 2011, three crucial points to move closer to their 18th league title.

TO SET THE SCENE
Just four games remain in Serie A 2010/11. The man in charge of the Rossoneri is Massimiliano Allegri - who came to the club following a two-year spell at Cagliari - in pursuit of his first career title, while Bologna, coached by Alberto Malesani and carried by the goals scored by Marco Di Vaio, are already safe from relegation. AC Milan came into the game with a 5-point lead over title contenders Inter, who came away victorious at Cesena the night before and have a game in hand. AC Milan cannot and must not underestimate the task at hand, especially considering the last two home games against the Rossoblu ended in wins for the visitors on both occasions (0-1 and 1-2 respectively).

FLAMINI FROM THE GET-GO
It took just a few minutes for AC Milan to open the scoring. Flamini skipped past Britos with a heavy touch and played it out wide then getting into the box to tap the ball in past Viviano in the 8th minute. The Rossoneri refused to sit back as they sought to increase their lead right away, first through Cassano - whose shot was blocked on the line - and then through Kevin-Prince Boateng, who failed to find the net both times. At the end of the first half it was Flamini again who almost found a second goal for the Rossoneri, Nel finale di tempo è ancora Mathieu Flamini a sfiorare la doppietta, denied only by an alert Viviano in goal.

MISSED CHANCES AND RELIEF AT THE FINAL WHISTLE
The second half very much followed the script of the first, with AC Milan in control and skilfully exploiting the spaces left by the Bologna defence. Bologna came close to finding an equaliser and looked threatening from a couple of corners: Giménez and Britos caused problems for Abbiati but failed to find the net. Della Rocca's red card in the dying minutes calmed the nerves of the Rossoneri who pulled through to end the game 1-0. The San Siro let out a sigh of relief and the atmosphere turned celebratory as just the trip to Rome remained before they would be crowned Champions of Italy, ending a 7-year run without a title.

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