Leonardo lifts Inter as Milan go five points clear
Thursday, January 6, 2011
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Leonardo made a winning start as FC Internazionale Milano coach in Italy's late game after but AC Milan remain top in Serie A thanks to a late Rodney Strasser winner at Cagliari Calcio.
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Leonardo made a winning start as FC Internazionale Milano coach with Thiago Motta scoring twice in a 3-1 success against SSC Napoli in the final game of a full Epiphany programme in Serie A.
The Brazilian volleyed in a 20-metre opener three minutes in then completed the scoring after 55 minutes with a firm header, after Michele Pazienza and Esteban Cambiasso had exchanged further first-half efforts.
Earlier, Antonio Cassano came off the bench on his AC Milan debut to set up Rodney Strasser for a late winner at Cagliari Calcio that extends their Serie A lead. Milan went into the Christmas break three points clear of both S.S. Lazio and Napoli. However, they were struggling to break the deadlock at Cagliari when Cassano, freshly signed from UC Sampdoria, was brought on and with five minutes left played through fellow substitute Strasser for his first Milan goal.
Lazio are now five points behind Milan after being held 0-0 by Genoa CFC while Juventus's 13-game Serie A unbeaten run was ended with a 4-1 home loss to Parma FC. The hosts had Felipe Melo sent off after 17 minutes, and Parma took advantage with Sebastian Giovinco, who is on loan from the Turin club, scoring his side's first two goals either side of half-time.
AS Roma overtook Juve to go fourth as Mirko Vučinić struck twice late on to beat Calcio Catania 4-2. The bottom four faced off and AC Cesena moved three points clear of the relegation zone as they beat Brescia Calcio 2-1 and US Lecce lost 1-0 to basement club AS Bari.
