Late Mario Balotelli strike gives AC Milan win

A late goal from Mario Balotelli has given AC Milan a 1-0 win over Bologna in Serie A this evening.

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The first chance of the match fell to Ricardo Montolivo, but Gianluca Curci was able to parry it as far as Balotelli, who could only slice it high.

The visitors responded with a promising move of their own, as Rene Krhin tried to nod a looping header past Christian Abbiati, but the Milan keeper managed to tip it behind.

The hosts had another couple of shots before half time, but Curci continued to make solid saves to deny Balotelli and Montolivo once more.

Clarence Seedorf's side pressed at the start of the second half as they looked to break the deadlock, but it was Bologna who had the first real chance after the restart, with Jonathan Cristaldo trying to turn in a Gyorgy Garics cross on the half-volley, but it finished just high.

Abbiati had to remain sharp in the Milan goal as the visitors had another opportunity just moments later, but the keeper just deflected Lazaros Christodoulopoulos behind.

Bologna's strong spell continued as a deep ball fell nicely for Rolando Bianchi, but he could not pull it back from a tight angle to open the scoring.

Milan started to look threatening again as the final 10 minutes approached, with Adel Taarabt and Kaka both coming close.

However, it was Balotelli who finally managed to get the better of Curci, striking the ball sweetly from 35 yards out to pick out the top corner with four minutes to spare, sealing the points for the hosts.