Milan could not have asked for a better start, taking the lead after 58 seconds! Antonini intercepted a weak Antonio Cassano pass and sent Ronaldinho down the left for a cross and Marco Borriello's cushioned header from six yards.

Alexandre Pato skipped past Salvatore Accardi and his scuffed shot was palmed round the base of the upright by Luca Castellazzi.

Pato just failed to get on the end of an inspired Ronaldinho cross-field pass, but the veteran Brazilian did create the second Milan goal. Clarence Seedorf started and finished the move, spreading wide to Dinho for the side-foot back and the Dutchman smashed a powerful strike into the top corner from nine yards.

Pato was unlucky not to get a third, as he skipped round a defender and Castellazzi came flying out to push it off his feet.

It was only a warning, as moments later The Duck did get his goal. It was chaotic defending, as Borriello knocked down a cross for Pato to hold off a defender. Castellazzi got a touch to it, but could do nothing on the follow-up.

Sampdoria were simply not at San Siro, so Gigi Del Neri made a tactical switch with Stefano Lucchini replacing Daniele Mannini, pushing Reto Ziegler wide midfield.

Sadly for the crowd, Ronaldinho had a muscular twinge and was replaced as a precaution ahead of the Champions League tie with Zurich. Ignazio Abate came on, moving Seedorf further up the field.

Abate rolled across from the right for Pato, but the finish was charged down by defenders in the box. Pirlo's free kick was over the bar, while an acrobatic Daniele Gastaldello clearance prevented Borriello from tapping in Abate's cross.

Lucchini was fortunate to avoid a straight red after the restart when he hacked down Abate. Sampdoria had their first chance of the game after 55 minutes, but Ziegler's volley was charged down in the box from Antonio Cassano's chipped assist.

Pato skipped past two defenders down the left side of the penalty area before his low drive stung Castellazzi's palms at the near post.

Sampdoria were visibly disheartened and sat back waiting for the nightmare to end, as Milan continued to pass the ball around relatively undisturbed. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar replaced Borriello, hoping to add to the sensational brace he scored last week in Catania.

It was more of a training exercise than a game at this point, as the Blucerchiati had given up and Milan preserved energy for the Champions League. Tissone broke the monotony with eight minutes to go by forcing a save out of Nelson Dida.

In stoppages Castellazzi needed his wits about him to prevent Pato grabbing a fourth.