So the curse of the Giuseppe Meazza is broken, for now, and was left to 19-year-old El Shaarawy to seize the moment to enforce his will and creativity on the game with two beautiful goals.

Allegri watched from the stands sitting out his one match sideline ban, but must have gone home very satisfied after seeing his side scrap against a Cagliari side, who were still in the game until Conti was sent off in the 66th minute having spurned at least three chances to draw level with Rossonieri.

Stephan El Shaarawy celebrates hi goal against Cagliari

Young as he is El Shaarawy at times seems the most composed and the brightest spark on the pitch. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, having equalised against Udinese last weekend he was alive on the left side of attack last night with pace and invention. Deployed in an attacking trident alongside Emanuelson and Pazzini the Egyptian wizzkid timed his runs to perfection giving his opposite number plenty to do.

It was on the fourteenth minute that El Shaarawy played a quick one-two with Montolivio that put him in front of goal where he made no mistake to give his side the lead. The second came on the 81st minute when Cagliari, having worked hard to keep pace with Milan shot themselves in the foot by going a man down and El Shaarawy was played in by Ambrosini who came on for Montolivio for a superb strike and deserved second goal.

It's a much needed filip for the Rossonieri and all at Milanello will breath a sigh of relief. But more than the points it will be the improvement in performance that will have pleased most. An altogether more coherent display by the young Milan team and a clean sheet to boot. Three points at this early stage changes the complexion of the league now Massimiliano Allegri will look to turn relief into momentum with all eyes on the derby game with Inter on October 7th, who also managed to break their bad run of form with a 2-0 victory over Chievo.