Resurgent Udinese earn point

By Paolo Corradini

Udinese Calcio came from behind to salvage a 3-3 draw against AS Roma and remain fourth in Serie A with just eight games to go.

Six-goal thriller
Roma went ahead after 14 minutes through a fine free-kick from Cristian Chivu. Serie A's top scorer Vincenzo Montella doubled the lead nine minutes later but the home side hit back strongly and restored parity thanks to goals from Antonio Di Natale and Giampiero Pinzi. Brazilian winger Mancini regained the lead just before half-time, but David Di Michele drew Udinese level again 15 minutes before the final whistle.

Point ahead
Luciano Spalletti’s side stay one point clear in fourth after fifth-placed UC Sampdoria were held to a goalless draw at Cagliari Calcio, while US Città di Palermo moved just one point behind the Blucerchiati after a 2-1 win against FC Messina Peloro in the Sicily derby.

Toni winner
Palermo took the lead through a Cristian Zaccardo goal seven minutes into the second half but Messina levelled shortly after through Riccardo Zampagna. Luca Toni scored what proved to be the decisive goal with 14 minutes to play. Both sides finished with ten men after Messina defender Salvatore Aronica and Palermo captain Eugenio Corini saw red.

Relegation issue
At the bottom, S.S. Lazio took a huge step towards survival thanks to goals from Roberto Muzzi, Brazilian Cesar and Tommaso Rocchi in a 3-1 win against AS Livorno Calcio. A penalty from Igor Protti came too late to rescue Livorno.

Double leveller
AC Siena, in 18th-place, came back twice to earn a draw at US Lecce. Axel Cedric Konan gave the home side an early lead but Siena equalised thanks to Massimo Maccarone’s effort. Lecce regained the lead in the second half through a Massimo Paci goal but a late strike from Rodrigo Taddeito earned Siena a point.

Reggina weakening
Siena remain one point off safety after Parma FC moved up to 15th by inflicting Reggina Calcio’s sixth defeat in seven games, this time a 3-1 loss at home - courtesy of two goals from Domenico Morfeo and a further strike from Fabio Simplicio.

Chievo slide
AC Chievo Verona replace Parma in 17th following their 3-0 loss against bottom side Atalanta BC. Michele Marcolini’s penalty and Stephen Makinwa had put Atalanta two goals ahead, before Chievo captain Lorenzo D’Anna missed his third penalty of the season. Riccardo Montolivo completed the win.