AC Milan cruised to a 3-0 victory over an awful Sampdoria side at San Siro on Saturday evening. Marco Borriello gave the hosts the lead after less than two minutes, and Clarence Seedorf and Alexandre Pato secured the three points before half-time.

Luca Antonini started at left-back for the hosts, while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar started on the bench. Sampdoria captain Angelo Palombo didn't travel for the clash, and was replaced by Fernando Tissone in the middle of the pitch.

Samp kicked off the match, but were behind within 90 seconds. A loose pass gave Antonini possession in the Milan half - the full-back burst forward and fed Ronaldinho, who sent a delightful cross in for Marco Borriello to head home from close range.

The Rossoneri were rampaging forward in the early stages, with Ronaldinho and Pato looking to exploit the flanks. Tissone and Antonio Cassano were trying to spark the visitors into life, but Dida was a mere spectator in the early stages.

The lead could have been doubled in the 11th minute as Ronaldinho sent another excellent diagonal ball into the area, but Pato couldn't quite get on the end of it.

After a high tempo start, the Rossoneri were content to sit back a little, allowing Sampdoria to press a slightly higher line, but the Blucerchiati were finding it difficult to win the ball off the hosts.

Samp's lack of defensive discipline cost them in the 22nd minute as Ronaldinho exchanged a one-two with Clarence Seedorf, who rifled a shot into the top right hand corner. It capped an excellent move from Milan, and they nearly scored a third moments later but Luca Castellazzi was quickly out at Pato's feet.

It was three in the 24th minute, as Borriello's header found Pato ten yards out - the Brazilian's first shot was saved by Castellazzi but 'the Duck' made no mistake with the rebound.

Pietro Accardi conceded a free kick 20 yards out on the half hour, but Ronaldinho's effort was blasted over the crossbar. The Sampdoria defence were clearly struggling to cope with the Rossoneri attacks, while Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini were cutting lonely figures at the other end of the pitch.

Ignazio Abate was brought on for Ronaldinho, who looked to have picked up a slight muscular problem, in the 34th minute, and should have set up Milan's fourth moments later. A long ball from Pirlo found the substitute on the right wing, but Pato couldn't capitalise on Abate's low cross.

The first yellow card was brandished in the 40th minute, with Tissone receiving a booking for a clumsy tackle on the lively Antonini. The Blucerchiati's frustrations were becoming increasingly evident, and Gigi Del Neri would have been glad to get his troops in for half-time with the score standing at 3-0.