Milan, who almost conceded an
equalizer in the second half, moved eight points clear of second-placed Inter
Milan with three games left and can seal their first scudetto since 2004 with a
draw at AS Roma next Saturday.
A point will be enough
because Milan have a better head-to-head record — which decides the title if
two teams are level on points — than Inter, champions for the last five seasons.
French midfielder Flamini, at
Milan for three years, netted after eight minutes when he prodded in at the
second attempt after his first effort had been saved following a barnstorming.
He had another chance in the
first half but tamely shot at Italy reserve goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano who
also saved from Antonio Cassano, playing as a main striker again with Zlatan
Ibrahimovic still serving a suspension.
Mid-table Bologna had
opportunities too in the second half with Henry Jimenez and Miguel Britos
heading just wide.
"It was a game with a
bit of tension," said Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri.
"We played a good first
half and in the second we dropped our level a bit. We must prepare well for the
game in Rome." Milan's victory ended third-placed Napoli's title hopes,
leaving them nine points behind the leaders with a worse head-to-head record
despite a 1-0 win over Genoa on Saturday.
Defending champions Inter,
though, made sure the title race would continue for another week with
Saturday's last-gasp 2-1 victory at strugglers Cesena where Giampaolo Pazzini
grabbed a stoppage-time double.
At the bottom, Sampdoria
moved a point clear of the relegation zone after a late 3-3 draw with
second-from-bottom Brescia while third-from-bottom Lecce lost 1-0 at Chievo.
Former European Cup finalists
Samp have dropped like a stone since selling forward Cassano and Pazzini in
January and were only spared more angst by Daniele Mannini's injury-time equalizer
in an enthralling contest.
Brescia, 10 points above already-relegated
Bari, trail Lecce by four points.
Fifth-placed Udinese's bid to
finish fourth and earn a place in the Champions League qualifying round was hit
by a 5-2 reverse at Fiorentina.
Lazio, a point above Udinese,
can strengthen their grip on fourth place in Monday's home clash with
seventh-placed Juventus.
