Brazilian Pato scored a brace for AC Milan Sunday in a 4-0 drubbing of promoted guests Lecce to secure a convincing win that put the Devils above the poor showings of other big teams in the first round of the Italian Serie A, dpa reported.
The young Brazilian showed to have fully overcome the injuries that sidelined him for most of the past season and sealed the Devils win in the first half with the help of compatriot Thiago Silva.
After misfiring on 16 minutes off a feed from Andrea Pirlo, Pato was deadly one minute later when Massimo Ambrosini sent him away into the area for a drive by the far post to the right of Antonio Rosati.
Defender Thiago Silva finished off a goal-mouth scramble, and on 28 minutes Pato pounced on a deep feed from Ronaldinho and stormed past Rosati for 3-0. He threatened again the Lecce goalkeeper before the break with a deft touch with his heel.
Curbing Lecce's feeble efforts was Milan's task in the second half, when new coach Massimiliano Allegri brought on veteran Filippo Inzaghi, who shook the woodwork with a lob and just before the whistle flicked in after a deflection from a defender.
Pato's goals and brisk form, coupled with classy feats from compatriot Ronaldinho, delighted a home crowd who look forward to the fielding of new arrival Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Swede sat in the grand stand next to club owner Silvio Berlusconi and vice president Adriano Galliani, who Saturday snatched him from Barcelona and announced the signing of a four-year contract for next week.
Ibra, a former player of Juventus and Inter Milan, walked onto the pitch during the break and waved a red-black jersey at the crowd.
The start of the season was not as pleasant for Roma, last season's second-placed team who Saturday drew 0-0 at home to newcomers Cesena, and even worse for troubled giants Juventus as minnow hosts Bari stunned them 1-0 Sunday.
Genoa's debut was excellent Saturday as they won 1-0 away to Udinese on Saturday.
Serie A title holders and European champions Inter Milan were allowed to play on Monday after losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid Friday in the European Supercup.
Their hosts Bologna have to name a new coach after sacking Franco Colomba on Sunday.
In remaining late Sunday action, Fiorentina and Napoli drew 1-1, with Chilean Juan Vargas dismissed for the Florence hosts and guest Emanuele Blasi also being red-carded.
Sampdoria beat Lazio 2-0, Parma also won 2-0 against promoted Brescia, Chievo edged Catania 2-1 and Palermo and Cagliari drew 0-0.