AC Milan welcomed Parma to the San Siro for their Serie A clash on Friday night.
The Rossoneri were looking to take all three points and, temporarily, move into third place ahead of their rivals' games this weekend.
Massimiliano Allegri's side needed to bounce back from their disappointing 1-1 draw with Cagliari to help stake a claim for a Champions League place.
Parma, on the other hand, had the chance to overtake a struggling Roma side in ninth with a win - though, the Gialloblù had not claimed victory in the past six league encounters, making it a difficult task.
Find out how all the action unfolded on Sports Mole's live commentary below.
Good evening all! Welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of tonight's Serie A clash between AC Milan and Parma.
Should be an interesting encounter tonight. On paper, it looks as though Milan will walk it, though Parma have a tendency to turn up for the big games.
Let's kick off with some team news...
MILAN: Abbiati; De Sciglio, Yepes, Zapata, Constant; Nocerino, Montolivo, Muntari; Niang, Balotelli, Boateng
PARMA: Pavarini; Rosi, Paletta, Coda, Mesbah; Marchionni, Valdes, Parolo; Sansone, Amauri, Biabiany
Well, the big news for Milan is Kevin-Prince Boateng stepping in for the injured Stephan El Sharaawy, who is ruled out with knee tendon damage.
Boateng makes up a front three with M'Baye Niang and Mario Balotelli, who has scored three in his first two appearances for Milan. Sulley Muntari, Riccardo Montolivo and Antonio Nocerino are the three in midfield for Allegri's side tonight.
Former Rossoneri man Djamel Mesbah starts for Parma tonight, while Jonathan Biabiany, Nicola Sansone and Amauri are the front three hoping to cause Milan's backline problems.
Despite last weekend's 1-1 draw with Cagliari, Milan are in very good form of late - unbeaten in their last six! They have well and truly kicked on in recent weeks as the possibility of a Champions League place gets closer.
Parma, though, have not registered a league win in five. However, that did include an admirable 1-1 draw with Serie A leaders Juventus.
Milan will see this as a big chance to push for a European place, though Parma have the chance to leap ahead of Roma. Despite recent form, it won't be an easy one for Milan tonight.
It's almost time for the players to come out on the pitch - we're not far from kickoff now!
It'll be interesting to see the individual tactical battles on the field tonight - Balotelli against Parma's backline, Parma's front three against that Milan defence and the physical battle that Jaime Valdes will surely offer in central midfield.
Parma are in the tunnel now, just waiting for Milan's starting XI to appear from the dressing room.
And now they're on the pitch! Handshakes and then we're finally off.
Quick predictions before we get down to business? I think it'll be a tough one for Milan, but they should scrape through with that forward line. Don't hold me to that, though!
And Parma get us underway at the San Siro...
A frantic early pace set by the away side, pressing the Milan players very quickly in these opening stages.
CHANCE! Constant flies down the left flank before squaring to Balotelli in the 18-yard box - the striker's effort was deflected wide, though.
Milan starting to keep hold on the ball in the middle now. Boateng is offering width on the left-hand side well and his teammates are using him to great effect so far.
CHANCE! Parma get the ball into the box and Yepes inadvertently heads towards his own goal, but Abbiatti is on hand to tip over the bar - that was close.
CHANCE! A mix-up in the Milan defence allows Paletta to get into the area, but he slides his effort past the post! That was a huge chance!
Paletta had options in the six-yard box, too! If he knocked it across the line, they were queuing for a tap-in! Will Parma regret that miss?
Parma have definitely had the better of the opening stages at the San Siro. Their pace hasn't let up since the kickoff and Milan are struggling to contain their runners.
Milan waste a free kick from the right by playing it short - Parma closed them down instantly. Great pressing from the away side, here.
Quick break from Milan as Balotelli plays it to Niang out wide. However, the young winger overhits his cross and wastes the chance to get in behind the defence.
That was the first time Milan have really got away on the counter at pace so far this evening. They need more of that if they want to panic that Parma defence.
Balotelli is involved in a, shall we say, heated debate with Coda. The Italian is not happy with the challenge from the Parma man.
Boateng puts a ball right across the face of the goal, but no-one is there! It was a great ball by the Ghanaian!
Balotelli has been pulled up for a handball - he still isn't in the best of moods! Will Parma target the former Manchester City man? He doesn't seem in the right frame of mind in the past five minutes or so.
CHANCE! After some pressure form Parma, Milan break away quickly with Boateng and Balotelli. The temperamental Italian is brought down, but Boateng goes on, though the attack breaks down in the 18-yard box.
Boateng could have done better there! He had Niang out on the right, but decided to go alone - wrong choice!
We're still level after the first half-hour. Parma look confident on the ball and are attacking well, though as the game's gone on, Milan look increasingly dangerous on the break.
CHANCE! Boateng gets in behind Parma's defence, but he puts his effort wide of the post - that should've been 1-0!
Niang was charging into the area and looked as though he was bundled over - he's asking the referee, along with Boateng, for the penalty.
It did look like he went down under the challenge and, after seeing the replay, it seems Boateng squared it for Niang.
The game has started to get a little scrappy in the midfield. Neither side can keep hold of the ball for too long!
GOAL! Milan 1-0 Parma (Paletta OG)
Desperately unlucky for Gabriel Paletta! A ball is fired in low from the right by Milan and the defender stretches to keep it from Niang, but puts it past his own goalkeeper.
Parma don't particularly deserve to be behind in this tie - it's been an even game so far. The quality of the frontmen has made the difference, though - that was a tough ball to deal with!
Biabiany's pace is worrying Milan's veteran defenders - Yepes, in particular, doesn't look too comfortable when he's running at him. That could be the key for Parma tonight!
HALF-TIME: Milan 1-0 Parma
An entertaining first half at the San Siro - not too many chances, but it was evenly poised throughout. An own goal from Paletta gives Milan a half-time lead.
Parma started very brightly and certainly kept up the pace, but Milan looked much more dangerous going forward as the game went on. Boateng and Niang have been the main outlets for Allegri's side tonight.
Balotelli hasn't quite got himself involved so far, though he has looked a little unhappy with the treatment he's receiving from Parma's central defenders.
That may be a tactic from Robert Donadoni - wind up Balotelli and keep him out of the game. We've certainly seen that work before with the young Italian.
Parma will be confident that they can get themselves back into the game. They've looked comfortable in possession, but have only created one real chance, which ended up falling to Paletta!
Biabiany's pace needs to be utilised much more from Parma - Milan's backline isn't the quickest, so a ball in behind will really cause some trouble if the Frenchman gets going.
The players are back out for the second half - we're about to get underway once again.
The home side kick off and we're away...
It's yet to settle down so far - both sides struggling to get a grip on the game with a sustained period on pressure.
Milan are starting to crank up the pressure now - it's Parma sitting in and doing all the defending as the midfield push forward to support Balotelli, Niang and Boateng.
CHANCE! Balotelli crosses from the left into the area as Boateng gets across his marker, though his finish is just wide of the post. That was close!
SUBSTITUTION! Ninis replaces Parolo - a bit more of an attacking edge for Parma now.
Ninis is a much more direct forward and Donadoni will be hoping he gets at the Milan defence. Maybe even create some space for Biabiany?
Balotelli was nearly away! Boateng tries to play in the Italian striker, but his pass just has too much on it. A let off for Parma, who were wide open!
Paletta brings Balotelli down as he charges towards goal - free kick to the home side!
Balotelli hits the free kick against the wall and fires the rebound well wide.
SUBSTITUTION! Bojan replaces Boateng for Milan.
SUBSTITUTION! Coda comes off and is replaced by Benalouane.
Parma are becoming frustrated and starting to give away silly fouls now. The lack of quality in the pass when they get forward is really noticeable. However, they have a chance now from a free kick...
CHANCE! It's clipped in by Valdes towards Amauri, but the striker just can't escape his marker!
SUBSTITUTION! A change up top for Parma - Amauri is replaced by Belfodil.
Milan have another free kick in a dangerous area - Balotelli brought down again on the edge of the area.
Balotelli has told Niang to step away from the ball - the Frenchman isn't too happy and has to be dragged away!
GOAL! Milan 2-0 Parma (Balotelli)
A wonderful free kick from Balotelli! He whips the ball over the wall and past the goalkeeper - a superb effort!
That should wrap up the points for Milan. It seems as though Mario was right to give Niang his marching orders! His fourth goal in three games - he's decided he's the main man at the San Siro, that's for sure!
Parma look as though they know it's over, here! They're lumping long, hopeful balls up to Belfodil, but he's very isolated.
Fantastic defensive work from Montolivo as Parma break away - the midfielder chases back and cuts out the ball superbly. Excellent commitment from the Italian!
SUBSTITUTION! The final change from Allegri as he brings Traore on for Niang, who still doesn't look too impressed! A bit of a bruised ego for the youngster after being put in his place by Balotelli.
Three minutes have been added on by the referee.
GOAL! Milan 2-1 Parma (Sansone)
FULL-TIME: Milan 2-1 Parma
It's all over! Milan take the three points and they deserved it, despite a great effort from Parma - particularly in the fist half.
Parma started well, but conceding that own goal before half time really took the wind out of their sails. From there on in, it was Milan who dominated. Balotelli rounded off the game with a fantastic free kick - he is in fine form since his move to the San Siro.
Milan are up to third - they've really hit form in recent weeks and the January signing of Balotelli has given them a huge boost. Check out the match report from Jack Prescott here.
That's us done for tonight - thanks for joining Sports Mole's live coverage!
Written by
Sam Hughes
Sam Hughes
