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AC Milan display Pippo Inzaghi's influence in 9-goal thriller

In a game that had goals, red cards, sensational individual quality, goal-of-the-season contenders and shambolic defending, it is difficult to know where to start. However, the most important aspect of Sunday night's trip to the Stadio Ennio Tardini amid the madness was that Milan secured a 5-4 win over Parma to maintain their 100-percent start to the season.

Naturally, with such an abnormal scoreline and performance from both teams, it is difficult to analyse too much. However, the game offered clear indications of both the positives and negatives under Pippo Inzaghi thus far.

While it doesn't appear as though Milan will have problems scoring goals, it is essential they gain better defensive composure and solidity, as they were put under intense pressure for the second consecutive week.

With Giacomo Bonaventura scoring on his debut, Jeremy Menez flourishing in the "false nine" position and Keisuke Honda making it two goals in two games, the attacking trident in Inzaghi's 4-3-3 system is performing superbly.

Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that personnel changes didn't disrupt Milan's attacking threat, with Stephan El Shaarawy and Fernando Torres both missing through injury. Eight goals in two games suggest that this Milan will entertain, and Inzaghi will undoubtedly have the hierarchy on his side if the trend continues.

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Nevertheless, Menez's wonder goal and Nigel De Jong's superb effort aside, as enjoyable as the opening two fixtures of the new Serie A season have been, Inzaghi will know that he still needs to improve elsewhere quickly with Juventus looming next weekend.

While he should rightly receive praise for his immediate improvement and ability to spread a positive atmosphere within the club, the defending champions will ruthlessly probe at San Siro in an attempt to find and exploit Milan's weaknesses.

Mattia De Sciglio's own goal can be removed from the equation due to its freak nature, as can Diego Lopez's hamstring injury. However, from Antonio Cassano ghosting into the box unmarked to Alessandro Lucarelli's headed goal from a corner, these are fundamental mistakes that Milan must stop making.

Menez perhaps summed up the game best when insisting that Milan showed a significant amount of courage and had the initiative throughout, but he also conceded that they ran too many risks and suffered a lot too.

Given the relaxed nature of their fixture schedule this season, they can arguably afford to leave everything on the pitch each weekend. However, with time and patience, they will show signs of growth under Inzaghi, and results such as that at the Tardini will only further boost their confidence and belief.

While the neutrals will have enjoyed a nine-goal thriller, from a Milan perspective it was reassuring to see the right spirit and determination from the players to continuously react and hold on to the victory.

That may not have happened last season and in essence it is a knock-on effect from Inzaghi. The 41-year-old is getting his personality across to the squad and is also giving this team the confidence and freedom to express themselves, which in turn promises to result in a thoroughly entertaining season ahead.