Milan have said Ronaldo will return fully fit in a fortnight for the match against Empoli, and have stated they are not interested in Alessandro Del Pierro; re-affirming that their hopes and dreams are based around Pato, free to play from January 2008.
Lazio coach Delio Rossi has been asked some awkward questions around a fixture against Lecce in April 2006. It seems he tried to ask Lotito the Lazio Chairman to contact their coaching staff to enquire as to how they might play. Lazio won 1-0 and the FIGC spokesman said that Rossi's prying 'had not succeeded' whatever that might mean.
In Serie A Inter's great run continues; Milan found some form, and Roma got back to winning ways.
Inter won a potentially tricky tie against Napoli 2-1, both goals from Julio Cruz in the first half. Mancini had left out Adriano, Crespo and Suazo but his strike force of Zlatan and Cruz worked very well in that first half. Cruz also missed a superb chance for his hat trick, and Zlatan saw a superb strike wonderfully saved by goalkeeper Iezzo. Napoli scored a consolation in the 85th minute through Sousa but Inter held on.
City rivals Milan thrashed Lazio in Rome, the 5-1 win as easy as it sounds. Kaka and Gilardino scored doubles, and Ambrosini scored a wonderful goal (or fluked in a cross depending on your perspective) in the first half. Lazio had drawn level in that first half through Mauri, only to concede a penalty, scored by Kaka before half time. The second half saw them collapse. The Lazio fans vented their fury at Chairman Lotito, who left the stadium early, perhaps wisely.
Roma comfortably defeated Parma 3-0 at the Tardini with a double from Totti. The game was over within half an hour after goals from Totti and Mancini and a red card for Parma striker Bernardo Corradi. Parma created little and Roma safely saw out time, attacking at will but with only a late goal from Totti to enliven the crowd.
Juventus stalled slightly after an impressive start to their campaign, the 'old lady' being held to a 1-1 draw in a tense affair in Florence. Away fans were banned and the match had always been pinpointed as a 'high profile fixture' with no love lost between the teams. Fiorentina were the better team but had to wait until the 88th minute to secure a point when Mutu scored from the penalty spot. Fiorentina had started brightly but a defensive mistake allowed Iaquinta to open the scoring for Juve in the 23rd minute. The rest of the game saw Fiorentina create more chances but unable to find the killer goal until Legrottaglie handled in the box and Mutu stepped up.
Other results:
Atalanta 0 Udinese 0
Catania 1 Livorno 0
Genoa 2 Cagliari 0
Palermo 1 Reggina 1
Sienna 3 Empoli 0
Torino 1 Sampdoria 0
