VIDEO: Pirlo puts Milan top of Serie A

The Italy midfielder let rip with a stunning long-range effort which would have deserved to win any game in the 25th minute.

Milan wasted a hatful of chances in the first half but Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante deserves credit for keeping them at bay.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri fielded Robinho, Ronaldinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his starting XI for the first time this season.

With such an array of attacking talent on the field, it was hardly a surprise that Parma goalkeeper Mirante had such a busy night.

Milan started as they meant to go on with Ibrahimovic flashing a shot across the face of goal from an angle in the second minute.

Parma's one and only chance of a one-sided first half came in the 12th minute when Angelo's low cross was inviting for Hernan Crespo, but he tried to head the ball rather than volley it and fell to the ground claiming he had been shoved in the back by Alessandro Nesta.

Ibrahimovic had two more chances as the Rossoneri attacked incessantly, but Mirante denied him both times.

But there was nothing the Parma goalkeeper could do about the goal which decided the match in the 25th minute, as Pirlo's extraordinary 35-yard shot flew into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Pirlo has scored many a spectacular free-kick in his career, but rarely has he struck a ball so sweetly.

While the midfielder managed to find the net from 35 yards, Ibrahimovic could not do so from close range.

He was denied repeatedly by Mirante, who also denied Ronaldinho in the 63rd minute by tipping his 20-yard effort over the crossbar.

Parma finally responded with the lively Fernando Marques appealing for a penalty when he cut in past Ignazio Abate and was caught by the Milan defender's flailing arm.

The referee waved away three more penalty appeals from the home side, who laid siege to Christian Abbiati's goal as they searched for an equaliser.

Ronaldinho missed the chance to seal the win on the counter-attack when he shot wide with just Mirante to beat, but the Rossoneri held on to move to the top of the table ahead of Sunday's fixtures.
 

Source: espnsoccernet.com