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Sampdoria's torrid week continued as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by an AC Milan side who keep the pressure on local rivals and Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
The Blucerchiati were staring defeat in the face from the get-go as Marco Borriello put the ahead in the first minute of the match before Clarence Seedorf adding a second in the 21st minute.
Ronaldinho was in inspired form, creating the first two goals, and fellow Brazilian Alexandre Pato completed Milan's fifth straight win in the 23rd minute to pile the misery on the Luigi Del Neri's side.
The visitors have now lost three games in the last week following a 3-0 reverse in the Genoa derby last Saturday and their elimination from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Livorno in midweek.
Flier
Milan got off to a flying start when former Genoa striker Borriello nodded in the opener
Antonio Cassano's weak pass was cut out by Luca Antonini, who raced forwards before spreading the ball wide to Ronaldinho.
His cross was lifted right between Sampdoria's two central defenders where Borriello was on hand to head in from seven yards out.
Ronaldinho was at the heart of every Milan attack, and looked a threat every time he touched the ball.
It was the former Barcelona man's pass in the 21st minute which led to the second goal.
He threaded the ball between two Samp defenders and into the path of Seedorf, who provided an emphatic finish to leave Luca Castellazzi with no chance as the ball flashed past him.
It was the Dutchman's 50th goal in Serie A - and surely one of his best.
Two minutes later Pato's determination earned him his seventh goal of the season.
He latched onto a Borriello header and, although his first shot was saved by Castellazzi, the ball fell kindly for him to place a shot into the net to end Samp's hopes with only a quarter of the match gone.
Milan coach Leonardo allowed himself the luxury of withdrawing Ronaldinho 10 minutes before half-time as the Brazilian felt a slight muscle twinge.
Ignazio Abate was introduced as Leonardo preferred not to risk perhaps his most important player ahead of Tuesday's decisive Champions League game away to FC Zurich.
Unrelentless
But there appeared to be no respite for Samp.
Abate sent in a cross which provided Pato with the chance to make it four, but his shot hit the back of Daniele Gastaldello from eight yards.
Another Abate cross almost gave Borriello his second goal, but Gastaldello again intervened to take the ball off the Milan striker's head.
Samp tried to respond and Antonio Cassano's long cross found Reto Ziegler at the far post, but the Swiss midfielder's shot was blocked.
It was the only shot of note Samp had all match as Milan defended their lead with ease and without having to expend too much energy ahead of Tuesday's match.
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The Blucerchiati were staring defeat in the face from the get-go as Marco Borriello put the ahead in the first minute of the match before Clarence Seedorf adding a second in the 21st minute.
Ronaldinho was in inspired form, creating the first two goals, and fellow Brazilian Alexandre Pato completed Milan's fifth straight win in the 23rd minute to pile the misery on the Luigi Del Neri's side.
The visitors have now lost three games in the last week following a 3-0 reverse in the Genoa derby last Saturday and their elimination from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Livorno in midweek.
Flier
Milan got off to a flying start when former Genoa striker Borriello nodded in the opener
Antonio Cassano's weak pass was cut out by Luca Antonini, who raced forwards before spreading the ball wide to Ronaldinho.
His cross was lifted right between Sampdoria's two central defenders where Borriello was on hand to head in from seven yards out.
Ronaldinho was at the heart of every Milan attack, and looked a threat every time he touched the ball.
It was the former Barcelona man's pass in the 21st minute which led to the second goal.
He threaded the ball between two Samp defenders and into the path of Seedorf, who provided an emphatic finish to leave Luca Castellazzi with no chance as the ball flashed past him.
It was the Dutchman's 50th goal in Serie A - and surely one of his best.
Two minutes later Pato's determination earned him his seventh goal of the season.
He latched onto a Borriello header and, although his first shot was saved by Castellazzi, the ball fell kindly for him to place a shot into the net to end Samp's hopes with only a quarter of the match gone.
Milan coach Leonardo allowed himself the luxury of withdrawing Ronaldinho 10 minutes before half-time as the Brazilian felt a slight muscle twinge.
Ignazio Abate was introduced as Leonardo preferred not to risk perhaps his most important player ahead of Tuesday's decisive Champions League game away to FC Zurich.
Unrelentless
But there appeared to be no respite for Samp.
Abate sent in a cross which provided Pato with the chance to make it four, but his shot hit the back of Daniele Gastaldello from eight yards.
Another Abate cross almost gave Borriello his second goal, but Gastaldello again intervened to take the ball off the Milan striker's head.
Samp tried to respond and Antonio Cassano's long cross found Reto Ziegler at the far post, but the Swiss midfielder's shot was blocked.
It was the only shot of note Samp had all match as Milan defended their lead with ease and without having to expend too much energy ahead of Tuesday's match.
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