POSITIVE START

There was a party atmosphere at Solbiate Arno for Milan's first outing of the season as the Rossoneri ran out 12-0 winners and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who looked sharp, socred twice.

(In the photo: Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action at Solbiatese)

MILAN - Milan enjoyed a positive start to their pre-season series of friendlies with a 12-0 against semi-professional side Solbiatese Arno Calcio at the stadio Felice Chinetti di Solbiate Arno. The goalscorers were Seedorf (3'), Viscomi (og, 4'), Cassano (5'), Valoti (11'), Flamini (13'), Ibrahimovic (29') and Ibrahimovic again (40') Paloschi (48'), Zambrotta (59'), Emanuelson (69'), Inzaghi (77'), Comi (84').

Coach Massimiliano Allegri pulled something of a surprise by starting Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antonio Cassno although both players reacted well which is a positive sign ahead of the Italian Super Cup in Beijing on August 6th against Inter.

The Swede, in particular, looked sharp and scored twice in the first half as well as setting up three goals plus the final ball for the own goal and no doubt had benefited from the extra time off, having only come back to training on July 18th.

Allegri used his full ratio of players including youth players Valoti, De Sciglio, Fossati, Ferreira and Comi as well as new signing Taye Taiwo, who looks to have settled into the Milan style of play immediately.

There was a positive showing from Filippo Inzaghi who was returning from a long injury lay-off and the striker also found the back of the net. Overall, it was a good all-round display ahead of the Audi Cup on Tuesday, July 26th at Bayern Munich.

Here are the Milan line-ups from the match:

First half: Abbiati (Amelia), Antonini, Nesta, Oddo, Taiwo, Flamini, Van Bommel, Seedorf, Valoti, Ibrahimovic, Cassano.

Second half: Amelia (Roma), Abate, Bonera, Ferreira(De Sciglio), Zambrotta (Fossati), Gattuso, Ambrosini, Emanuelson, Boateng, Paloschi (Comi), Inzaghi.

KEEP IT GOING

Adriano Galliani, Massimiliano Allegri and Filippo Inzaghi talked about the match at the end of the friendly played in Solbiate Arno.

(IN THE PHOTO: Massimiliano Allegri and Adrinao Galliani on the bench during the friendly)

MILAN - At the end of today's friendly at Solbiate Arno, Adrinao Galliani, Massimiliano Allegri and Filippo Inzaghi who scored gave their thoughts on the game:

Adriano Galliani: "Milan is in really good shape and the team is 99% complete on the transfer market so we are relaxed. We have no plans to sign or sell a player. I can reassure the fans that Silvio Berlusconi loves Milan like he did from the first day. Nothing has changed and nothing will change. The separation of Fininvest lies neither in the sky or on earth. Yesterday there was a dinner with the President where he intended to set the budget for 2011. I think Pirlo could be replaced by the midfielders who are already in the squad. If someone arrives then it will be a midfielder. There are no negotiations for Montolivo as we do not want to disturb the Della Valle family. There are no negotiations for Hamsik and we have never asked for him. There will be a place for an non-European Union player but it will not be Ganso."

Massimiliano Allegri: "Ibra and Cassano needed a workout so I decided to start them together. They played well and were on top of the match. Being angry is normal for Ibra, it is part of his character, he has always given his best and and gets the same out of his team-mates. Taiwo has only been with us for nine days but we has been working hard and still does not speak good Italian, he will also adapt to Italian football. I will now work with the players I have available, the squad is full. Pirlo has gone so we have to replace him with a big name. El Shaarawy had inflammation of the patellar tendon in the knee. Cassano is a Milan player who has returned with great enthusiasm and desire."

Filippo Inzaghi: "People know what I have gone through with my knee and supported me. It will take time to see the usual Inzaghi again, but the knee is stable and today I played my first 45 minutes for eight months. The league title has brought enthusiasm and we must exploit that to the utmost to win the Super Cup against Inter. Paloschi is already a good player even if he is young, he will make his way, and I hope he will wear the number nine shirt because he will certainly wear it with honour."