Serie A: Ronaldinho inspires Milan victory

In-form AC Milan scored three times in the first 23 minutes to seal an easy 3-0 home win overSampdoria on Saturday and consolidate second spot in Serie A.

Alexandre Pato, AC Milan



Ronaldinho set up the first two goals but went off with a minor hamstring strain just after the half hour with one eye on Tuesday's Champions League clash at FC Zurich, where a win will put Milan into the last 16.

Striker Marco Borriello headed in the Brazilian's well-flighted cross after just two minutes for his fourth league goal of the season. Ronaldinho, thriving on the left of a new three-man attack, then laid the ball off for midfielder Clarence Seedorf to smash in his 50th Serie A goal from just inside the box on 21 minutes.

Forward Alexandre Pato tapped in on the rebound shortly afterwards to secure a fifth straight league win for Leonardo's side, who have recovered from a shaky start to the campaign.

Sampdoria, beaten by Genoa in last weekend's derby and by Livorno in the Italian Cup in midweek, have suffered a drastic dip in form having been early season leaders with playmaker Antonio Cassano again quiet at the San Siro.