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Ronaldinho's hat-trick and Marco Borriello's candidate for Goal of the Season helped Milan to their eighth win in nine games. 10-man Siena could do little, as Leonardo's men move to within six points of Inter.
Last night's Inter hiccup meant a victory here would put the Rossoneri within six points of the leaders going into next week's derby. However, Siena were not pushovers, as last Saturday they fell 4-3 in this stadium when Inter completed a comeback from 3-2 down at the 88th minute in controversial circumstances.
Alexandre Pato, Gianluca Zambrotta, Clarence Seedorf, Massimo Oddo and the suspended Massimo Ambrosini were out of action, while Marco Borriello was not 100 per cent fit and started anyway. Siena's Emilson Sanchez Cribari and Reginaldo sat out bans, with Abdel Ghezzal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ronaldinho's acrobatic chest and overhead kick went past the bar, but there was a huge turning point after 10 minutes.
Brandao was foolishly caught in possession inside the box for Borriello to rob him, then Gianluca Curci mistimed the intervention to blatantly trip his ankle. The penalty and red card were inevitable, reducing Siena to 10 men for practically the entire match. Gianluca Pegolo came off the bench and his first touch was taking Ronaldinho's spot-kick out of the back of the net.
However, 10-man Siena risked an equaliser when Massimo Maccarone burst between three Milan defenders and fired over from 10 yards most likely with a deflection off Ignazio Abate.
It was a scare, but Milan survived it and doubled their lead with one of the goals of the season! The chipped cross from the left dropped over Borriello's shoulder for a stunning volley from the tightest of angles. Simply sublime from the striker who was expected to miss this game due to injury.
After the restart Ronaldinho ran rings around two Siena defenders and drew out the goalkeeper, but the ball was over from practically the byline.
Dinho should've made it 3-0 with a right-foot snooker shot, but Pegolo got a fingertip to turn it inches past the far post in a fantastic save.
Alessandro Nesta had a slight muscular problem and made way for Giuseppe Favalli as a precautionary measure.
Ronaldinho completed his brace with a powerful header from David Beckham's corner that caught Pegolo by surprise, as it hit the goalkeeper and he didn't seem to know much about it, unable to push it off the line.
Siena were still in the game and a marvellous Nelson Dida save denied Emanuele Calaio's header from point-blank range. Late on Maccarone was correctly booked for simulation, as he dived without making contact with Dida.
Ronaldinho was on sparkling form and completed his hat-trick with a marvellous strike. He found space on the edge of the box to unleash a shot with the outside of his right foot that swept into the far top corner.
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