Eder has taken 87 minutes to finally get involved, but all of a sudden he's proving a real nuisance, winning a (soft) free kick atop the area as we enter the first of three minutes of stoppage time.
89'
Well that was the finish Sampdoria needed, and although it won't do much for them tonight, it at least breaks the goose egg which has been plaguing them in recent weeks. But what a difference it could have been had Bacca taken the chance moments earlier at the other end!
87'
Penalty goal scored by Éder for Sampdoria!
Eder wins the penalty as his run into the area is blocked off cynically by Poli, and then he finishes the job, sending the keeper the wrong way to provide Sampdoria with a scarce bit of consolation.
86'
WHAT A MISS! Sampdoria again caught on the break and are left incredibly stretched at the back as Adriano sprints forward in the right channel. He threads a pass across for Bacca who has the goal at his mercy, but he sends a weak attempt straight at Viviano! For all the success Milan have had it attack, it just hasn't been Bacca's night - though in the grand context of the match, it hardly matters much.
84'
Sampdoria desperately need something positive, mainly in the form of a goal, over these final six minutes plus stoppage time. They have created nothing going forward, but a consolation goal will give them something to build off of heading into what certainly feels like a must-win fixture for them next week against a red-hot Sassuolo side.
82'
STAT: Sampdoria have lost their last two league fixtures – they haven’t lost three in a row in Serie A since April 2014.
80'
K. Honda enters the game and replaces A. Cerci.
Indeed it is the end of Cerci's night, as he's replaced by Keisuke Honda for the final 10 minutes.
79'
Luiz Adriano has scored a goal for AC Milan! Assist by A. Cerci.
NOW IT'S FOUR! Luiz Adriano redeems himself with a lovely bit of play in the centre to take Cerci's cross on his chest and rifle a half-volley past Viviano from close range.
Excellent cross from Cerci to pick out the substitute, and that will be his last contribution of the night as well.
78'
SHOULD BE FOUR! Adriano beats the offside trap to get on the end of Antonelli's inviting, low cross from the left. When he meets it in the centre he really should be scoring, but sends his shot wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy.
Minute
Description
76'
This is a massive win for Milan as it helps to keep the pressure on those teams above them. They fourth-place Roma by four points after tonight, but their next three league matches are against Carpi, Hellas and Frosinone - the current bottom three.
74'
A. Palombo enters the game and replaces D. Ivan.
Luiz Adriano enters the game and replaces M. Niang.
Third and final switch for the hosts as Angelo Palombo replaces Ivan.
Second change for the hosts sees Luiz Adriano introduced at the expense of M'Baye Niang. The Frenchman has been the main difference maker tonight, providing two goals and an assist, and walks off here to a thunderous applause from the home fans.
72'
It really is a shock to see how little Sampdoria have managed to create from open play thus far. Their chances have been surprisingly limited, with no real test issued to Donnarumma up to this point. They are in danger of falling to a third-successive defeat without scoring, having not found the back of the net since Eder's goal in the eighth minute of a 1-1 draw against Chievo on November 2.
70'
STAT: Sampdoria haven’t beaten AC Milan in Serie A since August 2012: two wins for the Rossoneri and three draws in five league matches since then.
68'
After much deliberation the free kick is finally taken, and Bonaventura hits it wonderfully. The contact is clean, as is the bend to it, but the height is a bit off as it fails to dip in time to creep under the bar. Milan have squandered quite a few chances and could well have a couple more goals to their name at this point.
66'
Impressive bit of holdup play from Bacca atop the Sampdoria penalty area. He goes down very easily at the slightest hint of contact from Soriano, winning Milan a free kick from just over 20-yards out. This is a real chance for the hosts to add to their lead.
64'
Pedro Pereira enters the game and replaces L. De Silvestri.
At just 17-years-old, Portuguese wing-back Pedro Pereira is coming on for his sixth appearance of the season. His attacking contributions have not gone unnoticed, and he in on here in place of De Silvestri.
63'
F. Bonazzoli enters the game and replaces L. Muriel.
A first change for Sampdoria as Federico Bonazzoli comes on, bringing an end to a frustrating night for Muriel. The teenage striker is making just his third appearance of the season.
61'
DOUBLE BLOCK! Milan opened up at the back for the first time tonight, really. Muriel's effort is turned aside by a well-positioned Romagnoli. It only comes as far as Eder, however, but his strike on the follow up is deflected behind by Alex.
59'
Abate comes flying into the area to provide a strong, clearing header from De Silvestri's cross. The right-back is only a few games removed from his return to injury and is down again now, with the referee bringing play to a halt. It looked a concern at first, as is always the case with a head injury, but he appears to be ok here.
57'
Much better from Cerci along the right-hand side! He dazzles in possession before picking out a fine ball over the top to switch the play. Into the area go the hosts and Bonaventura tries to curl an effort in at the far corner, but his strike sails a couple feet over the bar.
55'
The tempo has fizzled out drastically as we approach the hour mark. Sampdoria, who have the third-worst away record in the top flight, appear well on their way to another defeat here and are showing few signs of being able - or willing - to fight back.
53'
A. Poli enters the game and replaces J. Kucka.
Milan make their first change in an attempt to give some first-team players a rest ahead of the midweek Coppa Italia clash with Crotone. Kucka, who has earned every bit of a break he's been given, is replaced here by Andrea Poli.
51'
STAT: AC Milan have kept a clean sheet in four of their last six league meetings against Sampdoria at home – four wins for the Rossoneri in the process (D1 L1).
49'
M. Niang has scored a goal for AC Milan!
NIANG AND MILAN RUNNING RIOT AT THE SAN SIRO! Sampdoria try and play out from the back, but such a poor pass from Viviano gifts Milan possession. Niang takes a few steps forward before slotting a calm and composed finish past the keeper to blow the doors of this match wide open.
48'
Milan have come out on the front foot, showing no signs of complacency. Niang goes for the spectacular at the near post with an improvised back-heel flick, but Viviano produces a fine save at the near post! Oh what a goal that would have been!
46'
Back underway at the San Siro!
45' +1
R. Soriano gets yellow.
Soriano puts all his frustrations into that challenge along the touchline, blocking Bonaventura's path and essentially bodying him to ground. He won't escape that without a booking.
45'
The fourth official has indicated a minimum of one minute of stoppage time.
43'
A real lack of conviction and decisiveness has plagued Sampdoria in possession. Fernando and Barreto have been so sloppy on the ball, giving it away cheaply time and time again. Meanwhile, when Milan get on the ball it seems like they know exactly where and what they want to do with it.
41'
There isn't a positive to take from this first half for Sampdoria. Five minutes ago you could have said: "at least they're only 1-0 down, considering how lopsided the first half has been." Well, now they're staring a two-goal deficit in the face coming off back-to-back matches in which they failed to find the back of the net.
39'
J. Kucka gets yellow.
Kucka becomes the first Milan player to be booked on the night for a bullish tackle near the halfway line. It really has become part of the Slovakian's repertoire.
38'
Penalty goal scored by M. Niang for AC Milan!
NIANG FINISHES IT! No doubt about that one from the Frenchman who converts the spot kick and is rewarded for his role in the buildup - what a sensational first half performance he has put in!
37'
L. De Silvestri gets yellow.
PENALTY TO MILAN! Terrific cross into the area by Abate, which Niang flicks cleverly into the path of Bonaventura, who is promptly dragged down from behind by De Silvestri in an incredibly lazy and careless piece of defending. No doubt about that one.
It was a clear goalscoring opportunity for Milan, so De Silvestri will have to consider himself a bit lucky not to have been sent off there.
36'
Everything positive that happens for Sampdoria is promptly followed by an encouraging bit of play for the hosts, who have done so well to curb any hopes of ascendency the visitors may have.
34'
Soriano is hacked down 35-yards from goal to win Sampdoria a free kick in a threatening area. They commit men forward from the back and anticipation builds ahead of it being taken, but the end result is a massive letdown as there's a bit of pushing inside the area which kills the attack in its infancy.
32'
OVER! Terrific movement yet again from the Rossoneri! Niang gets on the end of a clever bit of passing along the right and he whips another inviting ball in for Bonaventura, a popular combination up to this point, but the ex-Atalanta forward skies his effort from eight-yards out.
30'
Montella's team have been very much second best through the opening half-hour. They are losing in every facet of the match, while each individual battle is going against them as well. This is very much a case of them needing to create their own luck with a bit of hard work and determination, which we have yet to see.
28'
Lovely interplay atop the area between Bonaventura and Niang! They linkup brilliantly as Sampdoria are picked to pieces, but the return pass has too much on it for the goal scorer to chase. The hosts look so threatening while on the front foot.
26'
STAT: AC Milan’s last home league game ended 0-0 – the Rossoneri haven’t had back-to-back goalless draws in Serie A at home since December 2007.
24'
A rare foray into attack for the visitors, made possible by the skill and determination of Soriano. He skips past two en route to the byline, but his attempted cutback for Muriel is cut out in the nick of time by Antonelli, who actually sends the ball back off the Sampdoria man and out for a goal kick.
22'
Donnarumma has hardly had part in the match since his early miscue. Sampdoria have asked nothing of the keeper and are finding it quite difficult to navigate a way through this stingy Milan back line. They're starting to enjoy a bit more of the ball, but have slowed the tempo quite a bit while in possession.
20'
Sampdoria are being dominated in the midfield third. They do have the capabilities of troubling this Milan defence, boasting plenty of skill in attack, but so far Soriano hasn't been able to provide the link. Muriel has also been awfully quiet, hardly getting a touch on the ball up to this point.
18'
Milan get right back on the front foot and threaten to add to their lead. They have numbers forward on a threatening counter, but Romagnoli holds onto the ball far too long as the attack fizzles out in its infancy.
16'
G. Bonaventura has scored a goal for AC Milan! Assist by M. Niang.
MILAN LEAD IN THE MOST SENSATIONAL FASHION! Kucka instrumental in the buildup, doing so well in midfield before picking out Cerci, who rolls a pass through for Niang. The Frenchman turns brilliantly and drills a pass across to pick out Bonaventura at the far post for an easy tap-in.
The turn inside the area from Niang made that all possible. He rounded a defender and got to the byline before serving the ball up on a platter for Bonaventura.
15'
STAT: AC Milan are the only team yet to gain a single point from a losing position in this Serie A campaign: they have lost each of the five games in which they have gone behind.
13'
Sensational work from Cerci who abided by his defensive responsibilities, tracking back to make a vital interception from Mesbah's pass inside the area, with Eder lurking. The first goal is so vital for both these two teams given both sides' scoring difficulties of late.
11'
Kucka is a dominating figure in midfield and seems to be improving with each passing week. He was a real bright spot against Juventus last week, the ex-Genoa midfielder, and has picked up where he left off tonight.
9'
OFFSIDE! Celebrations brought to a crashing halt as Milan see their apparent opener denied. Bacca takes a pass and uses the run of Niang to open up space for a shot, which he takes well from the top of the area. Viviano produces a save, but Cerci pounces to slot home the rebound - only he was a couple of feet offside when the Colombian let fly.
7'
Milan have settled in nicely and are starting to round into form. They're producing some inquisitive passing as they move up the pitch with intent, searching for an early breakthrough. The noise level is growing with each successful pass.
5'
Delightful play from Niang who makes a deft turn in midfield to elude his marker and head up the pitch. He has Cerci in acres of space on the right, but uses the winger's run to draw a defender across before whipping a diagonal ball through for Bacca - but there's just a bit too much pace behind it as it eludes the striker's best attempts to get on the end of it.
3'
Meanwhile, Eder was hurt during the following move, catching the cleats of Donnarumma on the follow through. The striker was looking in bad shape as he wiggled around on the ground in pain, but had made a seemingly miraculous recovery as he's back on and running at full speed yet again.
2'
EARLY CHANCE FOR THE VISITORS! Anxious moments for Milan as Donnarumma - who has been superb since taking over - produces a heavy touch and gives the ball straight to Sampdoria. Fernando gets it and tries his luck from distance, but the teenage keeper recovers to make an impressive save.
1'
Milan get us underway, kicking left to right.
Hello Serie A fans around the world and welcome to our live coverage of Milan and Sampdoria from the San Siro, as Sinisa Mihajlovic steps into the spotlight against his former employers. The Rossoneri suffered a defeat against Juventus in Turin last weekend as their struggles against the top teams continued. Despite their poor form against the league’s elite, they are just two points back of fifth-place Sassuolo for the final European placing. A finish anywhere outside the top five would have to be considered a disappointment for the Rossoneri.
Sampdoria have stumbled a bit in recent weeks, with just two points from their past four matches, heightening the sense of urgency for coach Vincenzo Montella. They have dropped into the bottom half of the table and their slide is in danger of continuing today at the San Siro against a hungry Milan team. You would have to think that, given their current situation, Montella would gladly accept a point from this match.
Not a change to be had to Milan's starting lineup, as Sinisa Mihajlovic rolls out the same XI which fell 1-0 to Juventus in Turin in this same time slot a week ago. Carlos Bacca and M'Baye Niang lead the lines, with Alessio Cerci and Giacomo Bonaventura providing support on the flanks. Ricardo Montolivo and Jan Kucka will look to slow Sampdoria and provide creativity from midfield, while the back-line of Ignazio Abate, Alex, Alessio Romagnoli and Luca Antonelli try to build on a sound showing a week ago.
Ervin Zukanovic suspended after picking up a red card against Udinese last weekend, paving the way for Djamel Mesbah to face his former team. Two other changes have been made from last week, with Vasco Regini and David Ivan starting ahead of Niklas Moisander and Carlos Carbonero. Luis Muriel and Eder continue to lead the lines, flanked by Juventus target Roberto Soriano in the trequartista role.
HALF TIME: MILAN 2-0 SAMPDORIA.
Giacomo Bonaventura and M'Baye Niang have Milan very much on the front foot after 45 minutes, and are thoroughly deserving of their lead. Sampdoria have been inferioir in every way, shape and form, and have their work cut out for them if they are to avoid a third-consecutive defeat.
An M'Baye Niang brace propels the Rossoneri to three points as they run riot past Vincenzo Montella's men at the San Siro. Giacomo Bonaventura and Luiz Adriano provided the others, while Eder pulled one back late for Sampdoria who drop a third-successive league match and remain winless on their travels this season.
That's it for our live coverage from the San Siro, thank you all for joining us. Good bye!
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