A brace from Jérémy Ménez inspired Milan to a first win in 5. The Frenchman claimed his 11th and 12th goal of the season in Serie A before teeing up former World Cup winner Cristian Zaccardo who made sure of the three points for the Rossoneri.
This is how the teams lined up:
Milan's XI: Diego Lopez; Zaccardo, Rami, Alex, Bocchetti; Cerci, Poli, Van Ginkel (Essien 46), Honda; Menez (Pazzini 81), Destro (Muntari 73)
Parma's XI: Mirante; Santacroce (Rispoli 60), Lucarelli, Costa, Galloppa; Gobbi, Nocerino, Mariga (Jose Mauri 65); Varela (Haraslin 77), Palladino, Rodriguez
Ref: Daniele Doveri.
Jérémy Ménez has had a mixed first half of the season at Milan. At times he is the very reason they come unstuck in games in others he can become the very reason they don't prosper, labored and often greedy. Well in this game against Parma, which was a must win game for the hosts we saw the good Ménez. The Ménez that had Galliani jumping for joy after his terrific second goal. Credit also has to go to Zaccardo, the Italian full-back was making his first start of the season and he didn't disappoint. After having a goal chalked off in the first half and winning the penalty which Ménez converted he rounded off the scoring for Milan with a cool finish.
Prior to the game much of the talk was the line-up and seeing two debutants. Salvatore Bocchetti, who is on loan from Spartak Moscow slotted in at LB and Mattia Destro also on loan arriving from Roma lead the line up front.
This match was a very important game for the pair. Parma are crisis, only 9 points this season leaves them rock bottom in Serie A. The financial trouble they are is worrying. It saw them lose their place in the Europa league, not being able to pay the wages of their players. This had led them to terminate Antonio Cassano's contract and most likely sell Gabriel Paletta, who has been strongly linked with Milan. Their two best players last season.
The first chance of the game saw ex-Milan player Antonio Nocerino waste a chance for Parma in a promising position. It didn't take Milan too long to open the scoring. Cristian Zaccardo won a penalty for Milan after his header hit Cristian Rodríguez's arm. Jérémy Ménez stepped as he has done so often this season and tucked it home sending Mirante the wrong way. Milan fans all over the world thought their side were 2-0 up only for the goal to be chalked off. Cerci's free-kick was crossed in eventually finding it's way to Zaccardo who finished well but was ruled offside, rightly so.
Parma responded fairly quickly after going a goal down. Andrea Poli failed to deal with a Daniele Galloppa free-kick and Nocerino was the fastest player in the box to react equalizing for the visitors from six yards. No celebration was to follow for the ex-Milan player.
Two quick fire chances presented themselves to the hosts. Alex's thunderous free-kick was tipped onto the post by Mirante and Destro nearly got his fairy tale start to his Milan career only to be stopped by the woodwork after Mirante went was caught in no man's land.
Parma's loan winter signing from Porto, Silvestre Varela came close. His angled drive was stopped by the Spaniard in goal, Diego López. Milan's number 1 also stopped Nocerino's follow-up after Rami was unable to clear.
Three minutes before the hour mark Milan's lead was restored. Again it was the Frenchman, Ménez who was on hand for the Rossoneri. Cerci laid the ball to the former PSG forward who struck a precise left-footed drive into the far bottom corner.
Raffaele Palladino and Atlético Madrid loanee Crisitian Rodríguez couldn't make the most out of their chances for the visitors. Mirante was called into action when Cerci was played in by Ménez, saving well at his near post.
Goalscorer Ménez turned provider for Milan's third and the final goal of the game. The Frenchman showed his pace down the right hand side and cut back for Zaccardo who finished coolly. The Italian had a muted celebration as he was playing his former side.