Italy: Derby woe for Chievo

The first ever Verona derby in Serie A lived up to all expectations on Sunday with Hellas-Verona FC coming back from two goals down to defeat league leaders AC Chievo Verona 3-2 in a pulsating match.

Spectacular volley
Chievo took the lead in the 32nd minute with a spectacular volley from Brazilian Conceiçáo Eriberto who, from an acute angle, hooked a Eugenio Corini cross over Verona keeper Fabrizio Ferron. Five minutes later, Chievo doubled their lead when Verona defender Anthony Seric was judged to have handled an Eriberto cross and Corini converted the penalty.

Hopes fade
But Verona's fightback began swiftly as their Romanian striker Adrian Mutu was brought down inside the area and Massimo Oddo scored from the spot. Chievo's hopes of holding on to their lead were dented when they had Massimo Marazzina sent off on the hour after a foul on Mauro Camoranesi.

Camoranese winner
Verona drew level in unlikely fashion when Chievo defender Salvatore Lanna challenged Camoranese inside the area, only to see the ball fly into the bottom-corner of his own goal. Two minutes later, Verona grabbed the winner when Camoranese was found unmarked inside the area and tapped home from close-range.

Trezeguet double
Two goals from French striker David Trezeguet gave Juventus FC a 3-1 victory over Parma AC in Serie A on Sunday, ending a run of six games without a win.

Eight red cards
It was a busy day for referees with eight players sent off in the six matches. Udinese Calcio had two players dismissed as they crashed to a 4-1 home defeat against a rejuvenated S.S. Lazio, while Milan AC's goalless draw with Piacenza FC ended with both sides reduced to ten men.

Juventus move into third
Juventus move into third place in the table with 17 points from ten games, above AS Roma on goal difference, after Sunday's win which hinged on the dismissal of Parma's Argentinian midfielder Matias Almeyda.

Red card
Trezeguet put Juventus ahead in the tenth minute, before Parma drew level when a shot from Sabri Lamouchi deflected off Gianluca Zambrotta and looped over ex-Parma goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. But Almeyda was sent off six minutes before the break after a challenge on Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids.

Close-range strike
With their numerical advantage, Juventus pressed forward and created several chances before Alessandro Del Piero restored their lead in the 75th minute with a fine shot from the edge of the area. Trezeguet secured the win with a close-range strike in injury time - his sixth goal of the season.

Lazio ease to victory
Lazio, without Dutch defender Jaap Stam, who has been suspended after testing positive for nandrolone, won 4-1 against Udinese, who ended the match with nine men after Valerio Bertotto and Mohammed Gargo were both dismissed.

Crespo brace
Argentinian striker Hernán Crespo, who scored a hat-trick against Brescia Calcio two weeks ago, notched two more for Lazio with Fabio Liverani and Claudio López also on target. While Lazio have now scored nine goals in their past two games, Udinese remain without a home win this season and the pressure is likely to mount on their English coach Roy Hodgson.

Milan frustrated
Carlo Ancelotti had a frustrating Serie A debut as Milan AC coach when his side were held to a goalless draw at home to lowly Piacenza. Milan played the last half hour with ten men after defender Alessandro Costacurta was dismissed for a challenge on Sergio Volpi. Piacenza had Filippo Cristante sent off in the 66th minute but hung on for the point despite intense late pressure from Milan.

Lecce beat Bologna
Bologna FC's good start to the season ended with a 1-0 defeat at US Lecce. Lecce went ahead through defender Bruno Cirillo's first goal in Serie A for over eighteen months. The home side then had midfielder Alessandro Conticchio sent off in the 63rd minute but Bologna missed out on a point when Argentinian striker Julio Cruz failed to convert a penalty two minutes from the end.

Rossini goal
Fausto Rossini was on target for Atalanta BC in their 1-0 win over bottom-club AC Venezia - another game which ended with both sides down to ten men after Atalanta's Luca Saudati and Venezia's Antonio Marasco were shown red. AC Perugia and Brescia, without the injured Roberto Baggio, drew 1-1, while AC Fiorentina were held to a goalless draw at home to Torino Calcio.