After the final whistle, Milan continued to earn corners. In the 2nd minute, Boateng's left-footed long-range shot went wide of the left post. In the 16th minute, Lazko delivered a corner from the right side, and Macarone headed the ball from 9 meters out at the far post, which was collected by Abbiati. In the 18th minute, Macarone crossed from the left flank, and Pozzi volleyed with his instep from 8 meters out at the near post but missed high! Subsequently, Abbiati suffered a knee injury and was replaced by Amelia.
AC Milan took the lead in the 20th minute! Volta fouled Boateng, and Seedorf took the free kick from 28 meters out on the left side, feigning a pass before actually shooting at a tight angle. The ball passed through the gap opened by Boateng in the wall, grazed the grass, and curled into the far corner, making it 1-0. In the 35th minute, Sampdoria cleared poorly, and Robinho swept a shot from 20 meters out on the left side that missed the near post. At this point, the stadium's big screen showed that Inter were losing 0-1 to Parma, prompting cheers from the stands. In the 41st minute, Pato pulled a muscle in his right thigh while running and was substituted by Cassano.
AC Milan had lost only two league games at home this season, with their last home defeat being against Roma on December 18th of the previous year. Ibrahimovic began a three-match suspension, leaving Robinho and Pato to form the forward line, while Cassano, who had just become a father, was available off the bench after serving his ban. Nesta was still recovering from injury, so Yepes started again. Gattuso replaced Flamini, and Pirlo was on the substitutes' bench. Sampdoria hadn't won in the league since February 13th and had only earned 2 points away from home since November 18th of the previous year. Since replacing Di Carlo last month, Cavasin had gone eight matches without a win, losing 1-2 to Lecce in the previous round and remaining only one point above the relegation zone. Midfielder Mannini was suspended. Sampdoria had lost both of their last two visits to San Siro 0-3.
Pirlo came on for Van Bommel, greeted by applause from the fans, and Biabiany replaced Pozzi. In the 79th minute, Boateng sent a low cross from the right flank, and Cassano poked a shot from the near post that was saved by Curci diving to the ground. Palombo then shot from distance but missed. With Inter now trailing 0-2, celebrations began in the stands.
Five minutes into the second half, Robinho missed a great chance. Cutting inside from the left flank, he passed the ball, and Cassano cleverly flicked it into the right side of the box. Robinho pushed his left-footed shot from 9 meters out wide of the far post! Milan earned a corner in the 53rd minute! Seedorf delivered the corner from the left side, and Zambrotta struck a powerful left-footed shot from 12 meters out that was blocked high by Curci. Yepes headed the ball onto the raised arm of Volta, and Cassano converted the resulting penalty with a right-footed shot into the top left corner, making it 2-0.
Sampdoria (3-5-2): 85-Curci / 26-Volta, 28-Gastaldello, 25-Martinez / 4-Desena, 7-Tisone, 17-Palombo, 16-Poli, 3-Ziegler / 9-Pozzi, 32-Macarone.
Zauli replaced Martinez. In the 62nd minute, Milan executed a clever combination. Cassano sent a low pass from the left flank, and Seedorf delicately chipped it into the left side of the box with the outside of his foot. Cassano then cushioned it with the outside of his foot, deflecting off Gastaldello's head to the center, and Robinho tapped it into an empty net from 3 meters out, making it 3-0. In the 66th minute, Abate crossed from the right flank, and Seedorf volleys from 12 meters out in the penalty area but missed high. In the 69th minute, Zambrotta lofted a pass from the left flank, and Yepes headed the ball wide from 11 meters out. In the 72nd minute, Coman shot from 25 meters out and missed wide. Boateng let the ball run through, and Robinho shot from 20 meters out but missed wide.
AC Milan (4-3-1-2): 32-Abbiati (19’1-Amelia) / 20-Abate, 76-Yepez, 33-Thiago Silva, 19-Zambrotta / 8-Gattuso, 4-Van Bommel, 10-Seedorf / 27-Boateng / 7-Pato (41’99-Cassano), 70-Robinho.