Muntari, Essien start as Milan beat Reggiana

Ghana pair Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari helped AC Milan to a 3-0 friendly victory over AC Reggiana 1919 on Wednesday evening at the Mapei Stadium.

Former Liverpool man Suso was the star of the show. Despite struggling for game time at the San Siro, the Spaniard scored a magical brace and can only have impressed the watching coach. Since arriving at Milan in the January transfer window, the Spain U21 international has only a brief Italian Cup cameo to show for his efforts.

Frenchman Jeremy Menez, who had himself scored two for Milan in their weekend victory over Cagliari, scored the Lombardy side’s third as they cruised to a comprehensive victory.

Suso opened the scoring inside the first five minutes; picking the ball out wide on the right, he cut inside before unleashing a powerful strike in at the near post.

While that first goal demonstrated his excellent shooting ability, his second was all about his dribbling finesse; the 21-year-old beat two men before again firing home with his left.

Suso could have completed his hat-trick in the second half, but ultimately it was Menez—so excellent at the weekend—who rounded off the contest in the 78th minute.

Essien and Muntari both started the game. The former played the first half before being replaced by Andrea Poli, while the latter managed 79 minutes before Bolivian Sebastian Gamarra Ruiz came on in his stead.

Both Black Stars have struggled for game time at Milan this season.

32-year-old Essien has started only seven matches, featuring in a further six from the bench. Suspension and injury have both played their part in a difficult campaign and he has failed to live up to his own high standards when on the pitch.

Muntari, 30, will also be disappointed with his contribution. The former Portsmouth and Sunderland man has started only 12 games and come off the bench in four more. He has two top-flight goals to his name, but, as has often been the case throughout a controversial career, yellow cards have outweighed key contributions.