Siena leave it late

Two goals in the closing stages gave AC Siena a remarkable 2-1 home win against AC Perugia in Serie A's early game tonight.

Debut strike
The result meant that Perugia remained without a win in the Italian top flight this season, despite a goal on his debut for former Italian international striker Fabrizio Ravanelli after he joined the Umbrian side last week.

Narrow lead
Ravanelli put Perugia in front in the sixth minute, curling a free-kick beyond Siena goalkeeper Generoso Rossi. The visitors were left hanging on to their slender advantage by the 58th-minute dismissal of defender Fabio Grosso for a second bookable offence, and Zeljko Kalac was called upon to produce a string of fine saves.

Late drama
Three minutes from time, however, the Perugia goalkeeper spilled a cross into the path of Tore André Flo and the Norwegian striker poked the ball in from close range. The equalizer inspired Siena, who poured forward and snatched all three points a minute into injury time as midfield player Fernando Menegazzo shot past Kalac at the near post. The victory lifted Siena to tenth place with 21 points while Perugia remained 17th, eleven points worse off.

Evening action
In tonight's late game, two Fabio Bazzani goals gave UC Sampdoria a 2-0 win against Reggina Calcio, inflicting a third successive defeat on the visitors in the process. The striker put the home side ahead seconds before the interval, shooting into the roof of the net from a tight angle, and doubled Sampdoria's lead two minutes after the restart when a run by Giacomo Cipriani left him an empty net to take his season's tally to 10 goals in 17 appearances.

Sunday games
On Sunday, league leaders AS Roma are at home to Udinese Calcio, while champions Juventus FC – three points behind Roma in second place – travel to Empoli FC in the late game. AC Milan, level with Juventus on 39 points, are at home to Ancona Calcio, FC Internazionale visit Modena FC and S.S. Lazio play at US Lecce.