The former Inter Milan hitman opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 16th minute, and Bologna equalized through Alessandro Diamanti in the 42nd minute.

Then Pazzini put victory beyond the hosts' reach with two goals in eight minutes towards the end of the match at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.

He cut an emotional figure after the memeroble match for him.

"I was coming off some difficult months and now feel great joy. It's a sign for me and those who always believed in me," he said.

"This was a difficult match and we won, so it couldn't have gone any better. It is a great emotion to score in my first start after so many months on the bench," he said.

The head coach of the Milan outfit Massimiliano Allegri singled out Pazzini for praise after the match.

"Pazzini isn't in great condition, but I am very happy and he held out well for almost 90 minutes. He arrived with enthusiasm and hunger. He has always scored goals in his career, so I hope he continues to do so here," he said.

The first penalty of the game was awarded in the 16th minute when Nicolo Cherubin tugged on the shirt of Pazzini, who duly tumbled inside the area.

Pazzini stepped up to the spot to open his account for the Rossoneri.

Inspired by Italy international Diamanti, Bologna levelled through the second penalty of the game, and it was no surprise that Diamanti earned it as he was fouled by Antonio Nocerino just inside the penalty area.

And Diamanti stepped up to send Christian Abbiati the wrong way and bring Bologna level in the 42nd minute.

Diamanti still caused some confusion in the Milan penalty area with a dangerous curling free-kick, but it was Milan who regained the lead with Agliardi gifting a second goal to Pazzini.

The Bologna goalkeeper was disturbed by his own player as he went to claim Luca Antonini's deflected cross, and the ball fell for Pazzini, who swept it in from two yards. Pazzini then completed his hat-trick in the 85th minute, cleverly guiding Nocerino's shot into the bottom corner with his back to goal to seal victory for Massimiliano Allegri's men.