A glorious goal from Andrea Pirlo took AC Milan to the top of
Serie A as they claimed victory over Parma at the Stadio Tardini.
The Italy midfielder let rip with a stunning long-range effort
which would have deserved to win any game in the 25th minute.
Milan wasted a hatful of chances in the first half but Parma goalkeeper
Antonio Mirante deserves credit for keeping them at bay.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri fielded Robinho, Ronaldinho and
Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his starting XI for the first time this season.
With such an array of attacking talent on the field, it was hardly
a surprise that Parma goalkeeper Mirante had such a busy night.
Milan started as they meant to go on with Ibrahimovic flashing
a shot across the face of goal from an angle in the second minute.
Parma's one and only chance of a one-sided first half came in the
12th minute when Angelo's low cross was inviting for Hernan Crespo,
but he tried to head the ball rather than volley it and fell to
the ground claiming he had been shoved in the back by Alessandro
Nesta.
Ibrahimovic had two more chances as the Rossoneri attacked incessantly,
but Mirante denied him both times.
But there was nothing the Parma goalkeeper could do about the goal
which decided the match in the 25th minute, as Pirlo's extraordinary
35-yard shot flew into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Pirlo has scored many a spectacular free-kick in his career, but
rarely has he struck a ball so sweetly.
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