Italy: Salas injured in stalemate

Bologna FC moved level on points with second-placed AC Chievo Verona as Juventus FC lost striker Marcelo Salas to a knee injury in the only Serie A game played on Saturday.

0-0 draw
Juventus, who stormed to the top of the Italian first division earlier in the season, have now gone four successive league games without a triumph after this 0-0 draw at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium.

Dislocated knee
To add insult, Marcelo Lippi lost hitman Salas eight minutes from time. It is feared that the Chilean international dislocated his knee trying to win the ball from Bologna's Fabio Macellari and could be out for over six months.

Buffon in form
Julio Cruz had two excellent opportunities to put Bologna ahead in a well-contested first half but found Gianluigi Buffon in fine form in the Turin outfit's net.

Zambrotta chance
Juventus, attempting to end a run of three successive league draws, had their best chance of the half through Gianluca Zambrotta in the 17th minute. He escaped from Macellari to put in a sweeping shot which forced a diving save from Gianluca Pagliuca.

'Positive and deserved'
Lippi's side pushed forward in the second half but Bologna always looked comfortable and willing to accept a draw. Bologna coach Francesco Guidolin acknowledged that it had been difficult to contain the visitors. "Not only did we feel the lack of attacking power but we had some problems with defence," he said. "It wasn't easy, Juve are strong and always play to win. The result for us is positive and deserved. We had the right spirit and cohesion."

'Great teams'
Guidolin added: "It's difficult for a team who can't spend money to enter among the top five in the table. Great teams always make important purchases but we're proof that you make plans with ideas and not just money."

'Unfortunate injury'
Opposite number Lippi said: "I saw a Bologna that was lively and fit, and it's difficult to play against such a team. There were signs that we could win, but that's the way it goes. At times we had the game in our hands and the injury to Salas is very unfortunate."

Inter on top
Internazionale FC and Chievo currently lead the way in Italy and they will have an opportunity to extend their lead over Bologna, who have 13 points from seven games, and Juventus, who have 12 from the same number of matches, when they play on Sunday.