Milan closed the gap from Juventus, who will be playing Roma on Thursday night, down to two points as they defeated Atalanta 3-0 at San Siro. Inter lost further ground as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Lecce thanks toa Bojinov brace while Lazio was back to winning ways as the biancocelesti defeated Messina 2-0 at the Olimpico.
Milan had more difficulties than expected to open the score against bottom-placed Atalanta but once the first goal arrived, the flood gates were opened. Tomasson opened the score for the rossoneri in the 53rd minute while Kaladze added a second in the 71st minute. Finally Serginho closed the encounter in the 90th minute to help rossoneri achieve a good 3-0 win over the nerazzurri.
Lecce proved they’re not a flash in the pan as they came back from two goals down to draw level 2-2 against Inter, proving they have quality and character, and deserve their high position in the standings. Mancini’s side took an early lead in the 4th minute thanks to the usual Adriano who finalized a good move by Martins. The Nigerian player was then the author of the nerazzurri’s second goal in the 33rd minute while Bojinov pulled one back for the home team three minutes later. The young Bulgarian scored again in the 49th minute with Lecce playing another great match and even going close to win the game.
Fiorentina came back from behind to win the first match after Mondonico’s surprise resignation during this week. The Viola in fact defeated Reggina 2-1 at Reggio Calabria thanks to an 88th minute goal by Miccoli. Before that, Paredes had given the home team the lead in the 59th minute and Fiorentina drew level thanks to a Maresca strike in the 72nd minute.
Livorno resurgence continued as they surprisingly defeated Palermo at home and won their second consecutive match in the space of three days. The rosanero went ahead in the 5th minute, but first Vidigal leveled the score in the 37th minute and then Lucarelli scored the second for the away team in the 61st minute.
Parma were back in the losing end as they were defeated 2-1 by a good Cagliari side at the Sant’Elia stadium. Paolo Cannavaro got sent off late in the first half for the Emiliani after receiving two yellow cards in the space of 8 minutes. Cagliari went ahead with a goal scored by Abeijon just before half time but Marchionni scored the equalizer for the gialloblu in the 63rd minute. However, with just five minutes to go, Esposito scored the winning goal for the rossoblu to continue their positive start to the season.
Two goals in the space of four minutes, between the 32nd and 34th minute was all that Sampdoria needed to defeat Chievo 2-0 at the Bentegodi stadium of Verona.
Udinese won all points from their encounter against Bologna as the bianconeri defeated the rossoblu 1-0. The home team missed a penalty in the 18th minute and from then on it was all downhill as Udinese scored in the 55th minute thanks to Fava.
A Fabio Pecchia goal in the 18th minute of the first half in favour of Siena over Brescia was what divided the two sides as the bianconeri came away with three precious points.
A Manfredini first half strike in the 36th minute and a Sousa 65th minute goal helped Lazio to an important win over Messina which helps Caso maintain his job on the biancoceleste bench for another week.