Goals from Marco Borriello and Pato were enough to give the Rossoneri an easy win and a vital three Serie A points

Bari were no match for an efficient AC Milan side who bagged three important Serie A points to erase the recent memory of Champions League defeat.

Milan were hoping to use the game as a chance to recover from the recent loss to Manchester United in the Champions League. For Bari the task was simple, make the misery worse and bag a vital three points.

The first half was a frustrating one to watch. Milan had plenty of the ball but were not doing enough to convert this into a good lead. However, they stuck to their task and stretched the advantage in the second 45, never looking back.

Bari made the slightly better start as Barreto went racing down the wing in the fourth minute. Gattuso was having none of it and raced over to clear the danger and any early chance of a threat against Milan.

Milan struggled in the early moments to find their feet. Passes were going out of play and either too long or short. If Bari could get an early goal then it could help them when Milan improved later in the game.

Ambrosini missed a great chance just before the quarter of an hour mark when he fired over. Pato did well to beat the full back, progress along the by line and cut the ball back before it was sent into row z.

Bari were not to be outdone and a good little move nearly put them ahead. Meggiorini found a little space on the edge of the area but couldn’t get enough power behind his shot as a Milan defender came across to clear.

Pato stood menacingly over a free kick on the 20 minute mark but the Milan star hit a poor effort. The ball broke through the wall but lacked pace and swerve. The Bari goalkeeper went down and smothered the ball easily.

There were Bari shouts for a penalty on 30 minutes. Bonera seemed to be manhandled by Barreto during a corner but the referee waved away the protests and booked the home player for good measure.

Bonera missed a good chance to get in behind the Bari defence when he misread a Ronaldinho piece of genius. The Brazilian moved his feet too quickly to play the ball and Bonera just did not read it as the ball was quickly hoofed away from danger.

Milan had the best chance of the first half with only minutes remaining. Pirlo played a ball forward, which fell into the path of Borriello. The front man cracked his effort at goal only for a defender to sweep and clear it off the line as it was rolling in.

However, he did not have to wait long for another chance and he took it to put Milan 1-0 up. Ronaldinho played a world class pass to the striker who hit it on the volley first time and drilled it into the corner.

The second half started in much the same way as the first. Milan controlled the ball in the middle of the pitch and waited patiently for a chance to edge forwards and increase their lead.

Pato missed a great chance to put Milan 2-0 up in the 50th minute. He timed a run well and got onto a through ball before the goalkeeper. The front man poked the ball towards goal and it rolled just wide of the far post.

Bari kept going and Donati went close with an effort from all of 30 yards. He curled the ball towards the Milan goal forcing Abbiati to dive. The goalkeeper looked panicked but the ball went just wide.

Milan put together a superb passing move on the hour mark. At least six or seven players were involved before Ronaldinho sent over a cross, which was just behind Pato who put his head in hands immediately as the goal was gaping.

Barreto smacked a stunning free kick at the Milan goal as the game headed towards the final 20 minutes. The ball dipped slightly and forced Abbiati to tip it over. It was a clear sign that Bari were still in the game as Milan’s lead was only a single goal.

Milan really needed a second and it came as the game entered the final stages. Pato slotted in after Ronaldinho had a fizzing effort saved. Jankulovski did well to start the move and there seemed no way back for Bari from here.

The away team looked happy to sit on their two goal lead. A number of substitutions were made to soak up time as Milan played keep ball along the back line and across the midfield.
The comfort of Milan’s performance was finalised as Ronaldinho started to pull out all of the party tricks and skills.

However, the last few minutes saw Bari earn a penalty as Pato committed a striker's challenge in the box, but it was not their day and Abbiati made a fantastic stop to deny Barreto once again.