Ronaldinho’s Resurgence

 


Ronaldinho’s resurgence at AC Milan continued this afternoon, the Brazilian grabbing a stunning hat-trick at Siena were crushed 4-0 at the San Siro.

AC, missing a number of first-team players including Alexandre Pato and Clarence Seedorf, went ahead after only 12 minutes. Marco Borriello was upended by Siena ‘keeper Gianluca Curci, who was shown a red card to leave the away side facing nearly 80 minutes a man short. Ronaldinho stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick.

Borriello doubled Milan’s lead before half-time, a lofted ball from Andrea Pirlo met with a volley reminiscent of Marco van Basten.

The second half was Ronaldinho’s. The Brazilian playmaker couldn’t find the target after two brilliant solo runs, but claimed his second of the afternoon by heading home from a corner in the 72nd minute. A fine 30-yard strike in the 89th minute capped a memorable afternoon.

Ronaldinho also bagged two last weekend as AC swept past Juventus, as he finally looks to have found his feet at Milan. The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year moved to Italy in 2008 after five seasons at Barcelona.

His recent resurgence may have come just in time, as Ronaldinho looks for a place in Dunga’s Brazil squad travelling to South Africa for this summer’s World Cup. He last played in yellow, green and blue in April 2009, but was not included in the final six games of Brazil’s qualifying campaign.

AC Milan are now six points behind league leaders Inter, after their city rivals dropped points with a 2-2 draw at Bari yesterday. AC and Inter meet at the San Siro next Sunday.

Ronaldinho Hattrick Versus Siena

Wearing number 80 on his jersey Ronaldinho bags three goals.