AC Milan reached the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday evening thanks to a 3-1 win at home to Spezia Calcio.
Robinho headed the hosts into a 27th-minute lead before Giampaolo Pazzini doubled their advantage soon after.
Keisuke Honda netted his first goal for Milan at the start of the second half to make it 3-0, while Nicola Ferrari pulled a goal back for the visitors late on.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded at the San Siro.
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The full-time whistle goes and it's AC Milan who are through to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia thanks to a 3-1 win over Spezia Calcio. Goals from Robinho, Giampaolo Pazzini and Keisuke Honda put the hosts in control before Nicola Ferrari pulled a goal back for the visitors in the final minutes.
It might be in vain, but Spezia have a well-deserved goal right at the death through Ferrari! Abbiati made a great save to deny the visitors before the ball was pumped back into the box, and there was the striker to stroke the ball home from close range. Huge credit to them.
Just the three minutes of normal time left at the San Siro. Milan are just going through the motions as they await the full-time whistle to bring an end to what has been a professional night for the Serie A side. They've done what they needed to do.
A moment of worry in the Milan defence there as a long ball caught everyone out, but Abbiati was quick off line his line to clear the danger. The goalkeeper then had to be on his toes soon after to parry away a rare Spezia shot.
Well, Spezia have fought valiantly tonight but it looks like their run in the Coppa Italia will be ending in around 10 minutes. Milan's extra quality has been the difference this evening.
SUBSTITUTION: Here comes another swap for Milan as Robinho is withdrawn for Nocerino. Just under 10 minutes remaining at the San Siro.
SUBSTITUTION: Spezia's second change of the evening sees Ciurria enter the action in place of Rivas.
Clarence Seedorf is apparently inside the San Siro to watch the second half. He's yet to be official announced as the new Milan manager, but confirmation is expected in the next few days. He's sure to be pleased with what he's seen, though professionals like him are never satisfied.
SUBSTITUTION: It's a second swap for Milan now as Pazzini comes off for Petagna. Pazzini has a goal to his name, but he also could have had a few more were it not for some poor finishing.
This is like a training match for Milan at the moment. They're passing the ball around with ease while Spezia try to win back possession. It's not working.
CHANCE! Great work from Zaccardo there as he makes a darting run down the right before crossing towards Pazzini. The forward has a couple of defenders around him but he manages to get a shot away that is saved by Leali.
SUBSTITUTION: Now it's Milan's turn to make a change as Birsa replaces Honda. The goalscorer gets a good ovation from the fans on his home debut.
SUBSTITUTION: Spezia make their first change of the night as Schiattarella is replaced by Culina. Just under 30 minutes left to play at the San Siro.
Spezia are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment. Robinho's free kick is not dealt with by the visitors, but Montolivo's powerful drive is eventually blocked by the defence. Surely it's a case of 'when' and not 'if' Milan score a fourth.
CHANCE! Milan come close again as Montolivo controls the ball inside the box before trying to curl a shot towards the far corner, but he just gets too much on it as a goal kick is given. Spezia need to be careful here or else it could become shooting practice for the hosts.
It's all very simple for Milan at the moment. They look to have the superior energy, while Spezia toil away for possession.
CHANCE! Nearly a fourth for Milan as Honda plays in Pazzini, but the forward shoots high over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy. Another bad miss for Pazzini. Still, you would not be surprised if the hosts add a couple more goals to their tally tonight.
What a start to the second half for Milan! Montolivo's long-range effort was parried out by Spezia goalkeeper Leali, allowing Honda to convert the rebound on his home debut for the club. That really should be game over now.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Right, the players are back out for the second half and it will be Milan to kick us off.
Remember, the winner of tonight's match will meet Udinese in the quarter-finals of the tournament. As it stands, it looks as if that will be Milan.
This tie is by no means over for Spezia. A goal at the start of the second half would be sure to change the complexion of the match. However, a third for Milan really would be game over. It's a fine line.
Spezia started the first half positively and continued to frustrate Milan until the home side made the breakthrough. The visitors didn't let their heads drop too much following Robinho's opener, but they looked deflated after Pazzini made it 2-0.
The half-time whistle goes and Milan look to be on their way to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia as they lead Spezia 2-0 at the break. Robinho headed the hosts into a 27th-minute lead before Pazzini doubled their advantage soon after. Milan have been far from convincing, but they deserve to be in front.
YELLOW CARD: Mexes goes into the book for Milan after cynically dragging down Catellani while Spezia were threatening to break.
CHANCE! That could easily have been 3-0 as Pazzini's cross was met by Poli at the near post, but the midfielder can only smash his shot high into the stand behind the goal. A more composed head would have probably done better there.
Spezia have another pop from distance as Bovo's drive is deflected over the crossbar for a corner. The resulting kick sees a header guided towards goal, but Montolivo is there to head the danger away. The visitors are enjoying a decent spell at the moment.
Not a bad effort for Spezia at the other end as Migliore tries his luck from 20 yards, but the defender drags his shot narrowly wide of Abbiati's post.
Milan are definitely in control now as Pazzini doubles their lead with a sweet volley. The ball was flicked over the defence from the edge of the penalty area before the forward acrobatically fired into the back of the net. Is there any way back for Spezia?
That goal has certainly given Milan a boost as they look very much in control now. The hosts are starting to play with a lot more freedom and calmness as they go in search of a second goal.
The deadlock has been broken and it's Robinho with the goal to give Milan the lead. Pazzini did brilliantly down the right as he whipped in a superb cross, and there was the Brazilian to convert with an impressive diving header.
Credit to Spezia; they're really holding there own at the moment. Forgetting that Pazzini effort a few minutes ago, Milan have been limited in their openings in front of goal. Meanwhile, Schiattarella blazes his shot over the crossbar at the other end for the away side.
CHANCE! What a glorious opening for Milan. Honda's free kick was headed back towards goal, where Pazzini was waiting inside the six-yard box. However, he can only put it wide from close range when it looked easier to score. The look on his face says it all - he really should have buried that.
YELLOW CARD: Honda is involved now, though it's for the wrong reason as he's booked for a spot of shirt-pulling.
Milan are beginning to pin Spezia back inside their own half, though the hosts are still struggling to unlock their defence. The build-up play is nice and direct, but there's no end product.
CHANCE! Milan go up the other end and carve out an opportunity of their own as Mexes fires narrowly over the crossbar from all of 30 yards. That shot had some power on it.
CHANCE! Confusion in the Milan box as Abbiati spills a cross, but Bovo sees his subsequent effort blocked by Mexes. The defender had to get his body in the way there or Spezia could well have found themselves a goal ahead.
We haven't seen a great deal from Keisuke Honda so far. The Japanese international has had a few touches, but his involvement has been minimal.
This is more like it from the home side. They're enjoying far more of the ball in midfield, though that killer pass just isn't there at the moment. Still, it's encouraging enough for caretaker coach Mauro Tassotti, who is looking very calm indeed in the dugout.
Milan are still struggling to impose themselves on this match. The hosts' passing has been off-key so far, while Spezia are looking hungry. Milan win a corner on the left side that is swung towards the back post, but Zaccardo's effort is kept out by Leali.
Spezia have enjoyed a decent start as they force an early corner, but they fail to make anything of it. There's a frantic pace to the game in the opening minutes, with Milan struggling to get a hold of the ball.
KICKOFF! Right, the players are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Spezia to get us underway. Here we go!
For those wanting a bit more information regarding Clarence Seedorf's appointment as Milan boss, you can read all about it here. If you're late to the party, he won't be in charge of the team tonight. That responsibility falls to assistant coach Mauro Tassotti. The players are just starting to emerge onto the pitch at the San Siro. Not long to go now.
Milan could well be looking at the Coppa Italia as a way to remedy their woes in Serie A. They're currently just six points off the relegation zone following two defeats in their last two games. A decent run in the cup would certainly lift the mood around the famous club.
Milan are playing their first round of the tournament this evening, while Spezia entered the competition in the second round. The winner of tonight's encounter will face Udinese in the quarter-finals.
SPEZIA: Leali; Baldanzeddu, Bianchetti, Lisuzzo, Migliore; Seymour, Bovo; Schiattarella, Catellani, Rivas; Ferrari
Despite a few unfamiliar names in there, Tassotti has picked a fairly strong side for tonight's tie. Keisuke Honda makes his home debut, while Philippe Mexes, Riccardo Montolivo and Robinho are also in the starting XI. Kaka has to settle for a place on the bench.
MILAN: Abbiati; Zaccardo, Mexes, Rami, De Sciglio; Poli, Montolivo, Cristante; Honda, Robinho; Pazzini
Well, it's been a typically tumultuous week for the Rossoneri following the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri on Monday. Clarence Seedorf has since retired from playing to take over as manager, though he is yet to be official confirmed as Milan's new boss. In the meantime, assistant coach Mauro Tassotti will be in the dugout tonight.
