Paolo Maldini grabbed the only goal of the game as Milan got back to winning ways against Messina. The Rossoneri captain headed home a 13th minute opportunity to breath new life into the club’s problematic campaign.

Milan went into the tie hungry for a win that would ease their mini crisis. The Rossoneri had only collected one point from their last four games and the pressure has been increasing on boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Yet the tactician’s job has been made spectacularly difficult by an injury crisis. Goalkeeper Dida was the latest casualty to be ruled out – for two months – in midweek, while Seedorf only started on the bench this evening after picking up a minor complaint in training. Gourcuff took his shirt on the left-hand side of midfield.

Messina, fresh from last week’s 4-1 home humbling to Lazio, fielded a 4-5-1 system which was designed to stifle the Rossoneri. Yet that didn’t really happen in the opening 45 minutes where the San Siro giants threatened and entertained.

Gilardino went close on 10 minutes after some fine footwork by Gourcuff who is confirming himself as a star for the future. The striker’s right foot shot beat the ‘keeper, but he failed to add to his solitary one Serie A goal so far this term.

Milan did take the lead soon after through their symbol. Pirlo floated a dangerous ball into the penalty area from a free-kick and Maldini jumped highest to head past Storari. It was a lead which they managed to hold on to until the break, even if they wasted numerous chances to increase it.

Bonera was getting forward dangerously and he assisted Gilardino and Gourcuff on separate occasions. The first cross saw Gila head wide, while the Frenchman forced a save from Storari. The latter also denied Kaka a chance at goal in minute 27 and a Pirlo long ranger.

Messina’s only real effort of the opening 45 unsurprisingly fell to Serie A top scorer Rigano. He underlined his heading ability, but he failed to get the necessary contact or direction to beat giant Australian custodian Kalac.

The second half started in the way the first ended – with Milan pushing for a second. Inzaghi and Gourcuff both saw early efforts sail over the bar, until SuperPippo asked Storari to expertly save his fine volleyed effort.

Milan’s lack of a killer instinct almost came back to haunt them in the 66th minute when Rigano’s header just skimmed past the post with Kalac beaten. Yet that was an all too rare Messina attack as the Rossoneri continued to have the better chances.

Storari was again superb to deny a Maldini header and a shot from substitute Seedorf, until the woodwork interfered with the Diavolo’s season again. After hitting 10 posts in 12 games already, the on-fire Kaka made it 11 with a sublime effort.

Floccari and Kaka exchanged efforts in the closing stages but they didn’t change the result of the tie. Milan, for tonight at least, are now just eight points away from fourth place and next season’s Champions League.

Milan: Kalac; Bonera (Nesta 70), Simic, Maldini, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Gourcuff; Kaka, Inzaghi (Seedorf 72), Gilardino (Borriello 87)

Messina: Storari; Zoro, Iuliano, Rea, Parisi; Lavecchia (Alvarez 52), De Vezze, Cordova, Coppola (Floccari 64), Masiello; Rigano (Di Napoli 74)

Ref: Gava