AC Milan 3-2 Palermo: Bacca Brace secures Rossoneri win

Carlos Bacca's brace helped AC Milan edge Palermo 3-2 on Saturday to steer clear of the lower reaches in the Italian Serie A.

Milan moved on six points from four games and sit one behind Palermo as city rivals Inter Milan lead on nine before visiting Chievo Sunday.

Swede Oscar Hiljemark also scored a double as Palermo twice levelled at the Giuseppe Meazza, but failed to avert their first defeat.

Colombia striker Bacca put the Devils ahead on 21 minutes off a pass in the box from Giacomo Bonaventura, who then forced a save from Stefano Sorrentino before the unmarked Hiljemark levelled in the 32nd-minute with a header off a corner kick.

Sorrentino was busy on breaks from Luiz Adriano and Bacca, but dove in vain in the 40th minute as Bonaventura curled home a free-kick after being fouled.

Palermo played the remainder of the game without their coach Giuseppe Iachini, who was dismissed for contesting the free-kick call, and brought on Alberto Gilardino after the break.

The 2006 World Champion set up Hiljemark for a low flick under the legs of Diego Lopez in the 73rd minute, but three minutes later Bacca nodded a cross from Juraj Kucka into the far corner.

Hiljemark had another taut shot saved, Franco Vazquez missed the guests' last telling chance and Milan substitute Mario Balotelli fired a harmless shot in injury time.

"We work to get results and improve after the defeat in the derby (1-0 last weekend against Inter)," Bacca said.

"It is always great to score and I prepare myself to do my 100 per cent for the team." Empoli grabbed a last-gasp 2-1 win at Udinese earlier Saturday, rallying after the hosts had a man dismissed in the weekend opener.

Udinese took the lead through a Duvan Zapata header in the 18th minute, but had Panagiotis Kone sent off for two bookings after 71 minutes.

Empoli took full advantage of the situation a minute later when substitute Leandro Paredes drilled home a low drive and veteran Massimo Maccarone sent a great shot into the far corner in injury time.

Udinese stunned champions Juventus 1-0 in the opening game of the season, but have since suffered three defeats to sit on three points while Empoli have moved on to four.

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