Battling Napoli frustrates Milan
March 23, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FRUSTRATED AC Milan missed the chance to seize top spot in Serie A when it was held to a 1-1 draw by Napoli at the San Siro on Sunday.
Faltering leader Inter Milan drew 1-1 at Palermo on Saturday to give second-placed Milan a glimpse of the summit for the first time this term but instead it lies one point behind.
Napoli, which has slipped to seventh after a poor run, produced waves of attacks in the first half and went ahead thanks to a defensive calamity from Milan's Massimo Oddo. The right back collided with his own goalkeeper Christian Abbiati and left Napoli defender Hugo Campagnaro to slot Ezequiel Lavezzi's pass into an open goal on 13 minutes.
The day got immediately worse for Milan, already hampered by a string of injuries, when forward Alexandre Pato limped off on what was meant to be his comeback from a thigh problem.
Napoli could easily have doubled its advantage before Ronaldinho, celebrating his 30th birthday, revived Milan as he has done so often this season by floating over a cross which Filippo Inzaghi headed in for a 26th-minute equalizer. Leonardo's side pushed for a winner in the second half but winger Mancini spurned the best chance as the Rossoneri again showed they lacked a clinical edge.
"We knew that playing against Napoli is never easy," Ronaldinho told Sky TV. "We are happy to continue like this, at least we are nearer top spot. We created some chances."
AS Roma, in third, beat Udinese 4-2 on Saturday to cut the gap on Inter to four points.
Nine games remain and tomorrow Milan visits Parma, which drew 1-1 at Bari on Sunday to slow its recent renaissance. Sampdoria climbed level on points with fourth-placed Palermo in the race for the final Champions League qualifying spot after the returning Antonio Cassano embarrassed Juventus reserve goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti from 40 meters in a 1-0 home win.
Fourth-bottom Lazio opened up a four-point cushion above the drop zone after forwards Tommaso Rocchi and Sergio Floccari scored in a 2-0 win at Cagliari.
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