Massimo Oddo was given his Milan debut, but it was Pippo Inzaghi who secured a precious victory over Parma just as he begins to be pushed down the pecking order.
The Rossoneri's week has been dominated by the arrival of Massimo Oddo and Ronaldo, perhaps affecting their concentration in the 2-2 Coppa Italia semi-final against Roma midweek. Parma were also distracted as new President Tommaso Ghirardi took over to replenish the club coffers and sat in the stands, but enthusiasm was also boosted by the stunning debut of on-loan Manchester United youngster Giuseppe Rossi.
Parma hadn't earned a single point at San Siro since 2002 and last won in December 1996. Last season saw a spectacular 4-3 victory for the home side.
Luca Bucci stretched to block a Clarence Seedorf angled drive after four minutes, then Kaka combined passes brilliantly with Alberto Gilardino only for the Brazilian to fire over from close range.
Gilardino's penalty appeals for a handling offence were waved away and as the move continued he had a shot smothered at the near post.
Milan were a little toothless in attack, so when Cristian Brocchi came off injured, Pippo Inzaghi came on to shelve the Christmas Tree formation. Seedorf's cross was intercepted as Inzaghi was ready to tap in to an empty net by Perna's decisive clearance.
Parma also managed to threaten with Dida holding a deflected Igor Budan effort, but straight after the restart the visitors had strong penalty appeals. Ex-Gialloblu defender Daniele Bonera was on the ground when he charged down Budan's shot with his arm, but the referee considered it to be involuntary.
Inzaghi had a strike set up by Seedorf, then SuperPippo's assist just missed the unmarked Gilardino at the back post. The Rossoneri seemed to wake up with Bucci flying to pluck Seedorf's chipped cross off the head of Gilardino, although Oddo earned the applause of the San Siro with a wonderful tackle on Budan inside the area.
Parma held out, so Carlo Ancelotti threw on his final two substitutes, Yoann Gourcuff and Ricardo Oliveira. It paid off, as on 76 minutes Andrea Pirlo's mis-hit free kick was intercepted by Inzaghi, who swung it past the goalkeeper from six yards. Frozen out by Gilardino and Ronaldo, SuperPippo took the opportunity to make his mark by pointing to the back of his shirt towards the crowd.
Milan: Dida; Oddo, Bonera, Maldini, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Brocchi (Inzaghi 30); Seedorf (Gourcuff 72); Kakà , Gilardino (Oliveira 72)
Parma: Bucci; Perna, Couto, Paci; Ferronetti (Coly 66), Grella, Bolano (Dessena 75), Castellini; Morfeo, Rossi, Budan (Muslimovic 62)
Football Italia