Udinese on up as Lazio hold Lecce

By Paolo Corradini

Udinese Calcio consolidated third place in Serie A on Saturday with a 1-0 victory at bottom side Atalanta BC, while S.S. Lazio came back from behind twice to hold high-flying US Lecce.

Iaquinta winner
Unbeaten in their previous eight league games, Udinese visited an Atalanta side under new coach Delio Rossi, who replaced Andrea Mandorlini earlier this week. But Atalanta were unable to claim their first goal in six Serie A matches after Vincenzo Iaquinta put Udinese ahead eight minutes in, pouncing on a loose ball after goalkeeper Massimo Taibi had blocked his initial header.

Lecce ahead
While Udinese are now within seven points of leaders Juventus FC, who visit Bologna FC as part of Sunday's programme, Lecce missed the chance to overtake fourth-placed Cagliari Calcio following their 3-3 draw in Roma. Babù's long-distance effort put Lecce ahead and Valeri Bojinov doubled the lead after 33 minutes from close range.

Di Canio levels twice
Early in the second half Tommaso Rocchi pulled one back for Lazio and Paolo Di Canio converted a 69th-minute penalty to level the scores. It seemed Lazio could even win the game, but Babù then left home goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi helpless with a fine angled shot on 76 minutes - only for Di Canio to rescue a point two minutes later with an strike from distance.