Juve slip allows Milan to make move

By Paolo Corradini

AC Milan closed to within five points of Juventus FC as the Italian champions beat FC Messina Peloro 4-1 and the Serie A leaders lost for the first time at home this season, 1-0 against UC Sampdoria.

Two each
Milan were always in control after Jon Dahl Tomasson put them 2-0 ahead inside 18 minutes, Hernán Crespo having earlier neatly scored the pick of his side's goals following confident approach play involving Clarence Seedorf and Kaká. The Stadio San Filippo came to life when Riccardo Zampagna struck on the half-hour but the Rossoneri reapplied the pressure and both first-half scorers found the net again either side of a missed Andrea Pirlo penalty.

In-form Antonioli
In contrast, Juve were unable to produce the football which had brought them 15 wins in 21 league outings before tonight, although they did find Francesco Antonioli in superb form at the Delle Alpi. The Sampdoria goalkeeper was frustrating Juve as early as the seventh minute, diving low to his right to keep out a shot from Olivier Kapo before the Frenchman went off injured.

Ibrahimovic introduced
Just after the half-hour, Samp took a shock lead as Aimo Diana reacted first to prod in the loose ball after Marcello Castellini sent a powerful header crashing against the bar. Fabio Capello introduced Zlatan Ibrahimovic at half-time and the skilful Swede looked the most likely source of an equaliser.

Roma held
However, the striker was continually thwarted by Antonioli, the keeper's heroics ensuring Sampdoria held on for a success which lifts them into fifth above AS Roma, who drew 1-1 at US Lecce. The Giallorossi went ahead thanks an own goal from Guillermo Giacomazzi but Lecce survived the sending-off of Cristian Ledesma to equalise in the 81st minute through Mirko Vucinic.

Inter unbeaten
FC Internazionale Milano, in third, extended their unbeaten start to 22 games as Obafemi Martins scored the only goal against Serie A's bottom club, Atalanta BC, while fourth-placed Udinese Calcio defeated AC Chievo Verona 3-0.

Impressive Palermo
US Città di Palermo continue to impress in exalted company, tonight winning 2-1 at ACF Fiorentina to move into seventh above Reggina Calcio after they drew 1-1 at AS Livorno Calcio. Cagliari Calcio, in ninth, came from 2-0 down to draw at AC Siena and the night's other game, S.S. Lazio against Brescia Calcio, finished goalless.