Clarence Seedorf's smart strike gave Milan a much-needed victory against Bologna after his teammates hit the woodwork twice.

The Rossoneri had a confidence boost midweek when winning 2-1 away to Olympique Marseille, aiming to translate that verve into Serie A. Pippo Inzaghi bagged the brace, but was rested in favour of Klaas Jan Huntelaar, while Ronaldinho was sidelined by a cold. Daniele Bonera, Marco Borriello, Davide Di Gennaro and Christian Abbiati filled the treatment room, while Thiago Silva and Marek Jankulovski took a breather.

Last season Bologna won here 2-1 in the opening round, but had just two points so far and one goal scored. Vangelis Moras missed out through injury, but hitman Marco Di Vaio returned.

A splendid Huntelaar volley from Clarence Seedorf's headed assist skimmed the bar from a tight angle. Alexandre Pato wasted a good chance set up for him by Andrea Pirlo. Gennaro Gattuso horribly ballooned over with only the goalkeeper to beat, evidently unaccustomed to being in that position.

Miguel Britos had to intercept a wonderful Pirlo cross before Pato could get the free header from six yards. Just before the break Pato knocked down a Pirlo ball over the top for Huntelaar, but Daniele Portanova intervened.

Milan rained crosses into the box and Pato's effort was deflected out for a corner. Champions League hero Inzaghi replaced Huntelaar and Massimo Oddo came on for Gattuso.

Pato went closer than he had before with a daisy-cutter that beat Viviano, but thumped the base of the upright. Oddo had penalty appeals waved away for a tackle right on the line, as the referee did not stop play.

Viviano had his palms stung by a powerful Inzaghi strike following Marek Jankulovski's assist.

The deadlock was finally broken by Clarence Seedorf. He went down the left flank on the counter and looked ready to cross, but when he dribbled his way to the byline he put it across the face of goal with the inside of his right foot, beating Viviano at the near post. Bologna were furious, as they felt Seedorf had started the move by winning back the ball on the edge of his own box with a foul on Davide Bombardini.

Inzaghi came so close to 2-0 on 83 minutes, as he sprung the offside trap on a Pirlo through ball and was clear on goal, but his first shot was straight at Viviano and the follow-up on to the upright!

Bologna were still in it and Storari flew to push a Mingazzini blockbuster out of the top corner in the final minutes. From that corner, Portanova turned a free header inches wide.