Milan motoring in second

By Paolo Corradini

AC Milan did their Serie A title hopes no harm with an emphatic 6-0 victory against ACF Fiorentina to put the pressure on leaders Juventus FC.

Shevchenko double
The Italian champions were 2-0 ahead at half-time thanks to an own goal from Giorgio Chiellini after Clarence Seedorf had broken the deadlock by pouncing on Cristiano Lupatelli's parry from an Andrea Pirlo spot-kick. Seedorf scored again after the break, with Hernán Crespo and Andriy Shevchenko, who added his tenth and eleventh goals of the season, also on target.

Nerveless Nedved
That pressure looked as though it might tell on the Bianconeri, but an 86th-minute Pavel Nedved free-kick gave the leaders all three points against Bologna FC at the Dall'Ara stadium to restore their four-point cushion. Juve dominated the first half but did not manage to take advantage of the chances that came their way, Nedved going closest when his 30th-minute header came back off a post. Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon kept his side in it with a fine save to deny Mourad Meghni and although stubborn Bologna largely controlled the second half, Nedved pinched all three points at the death.

Late drama
Unbeaten FC Internazionale Milano picked up their 12th draw in 15 matches by sharing four goals away against AC Siena. The visitors took the lead on 36 minutes when Adriano converted a penalty but Siena levelled the scores four minutes later when Daniele Portanova rose unmarked to glance a header past goalkeeper Alberto Fontana. Siena defender Stefano Argilli was shown a red card for denying Christian Vieri with his hands in the second half but Adriano's second spot-kick struck a post and it seemed Tore André Flo's 86th-minute header would give Siena victory until Vieri powered in a last-gasp Giorgos Karagounis corner.

Reggina revival
Reggina Calcio defeated third-placed Cagliari Calcio 3-2 despite falling behind to an Antonio Langella strike early on. Reggina reacted immediately and restored parity with an effort from Carlos Humberto Paredes then defender Gaetano De Rosa put the home side ahead. Mauro Esposito equalised again after half-time but De Rosa scored his second of the afternoon 13 minutes from time to seal the win.

Mancini magic
Elsewhere, Brazilian winger Mancini kept his nerve to drive in a 90th-minute penalty and grab a win for AS Roma away against Brescia Calcio. Federico Cossato was on target twice as AC Chievo Verona defeated US Città di Palermo 2-1. Francesco Flachi registered as Sampdoria UC overcame Messina FC Peloro 1-0 at home and Cristiano Lucarelli got the goals as AS Livorno Calcio overcame visiting Parma FC 2-0.