Ronaldinho inspires Milan in 3-0 Sampdoria win

AC Milan warmed up for their crucial Champions League clash with FC Zurich in mid-week with a 3-0 win over Sampdoria in Italy’s Serie A on Saturday.

Milan laid the foundations for what would become their sixth successive league win very early on, and had the match virtually wrapped up by the half hour mark.

Marco Borriello opened the scoring after heading home an inch-perfect Ronaldinho cross in the second minute of play.

The inspired Ronaldinho then produced another fine delivery, a cutback that Clarence Seedorf fired into the Samdoria top corner on 21 minutes.

Only two minutes later any hopes Sampdoria had of fighting their way back into the match disappeared when Alex Pato picked up his own rebound to score after his initial close range shot had been saved by Luca Castellazzi.

Milan coach Leonardo took off Ronaldinho barely 10 minutes later, the Brazilian apparently complaining of a muscle niggle.

The result leaves Milan four points adrift of city rivals Inter, who can restore their seven-point lead if they win their top-of-the-table clash against third-placed Juventus in Turin.

Milan face Zurich in Switzerland on Tuesday, when they will be looking for the win that would secure their qualification for the competition’s knockout phase.