AC Milan needed an added-time Alessandro Nesta goal to salvage a point at Siena and maintain the Rossoneri's unbeaten start to the season, while Lazio were held to a third consecutive Serie A draw by Empoli.
SIENA 1-1 AC MILAN
Milan started the game impressively despite Carlo Ancelotti resting Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Oddo and Kaka ahead of the start of the defence of their Champions League crown against Benfica on Tuesday. Still, it was Siena who took the lead when Dida failed to gather a long-range shot by Christian Bucchi and Kakha Kaladze failed to clear the loose ball. Massimo Maccarone, who looked to be in an offside position on TV replays, reacted first to poke in the rebound on 24 minutes.
The second half was all Milan, although a Clarence Seedorf free-kick which fizzed just over was the closest they went to levelling before Nesta did just that in the first minute of added time. Seedorf almost won it for Milan deep into stoppage time, but his shot hit the woodwork at the end of a dramatic game which also saw Siena midfielder Mario Frick sent off.
LAZIO 0-0 EMPOLI
Lazio were held to a dour goalless draw by Empoli in Rome in the evening match - their third straight stalemate. Two teams who seemed to have their respective impending European outings on their minds did little more than turn up at the Stadio Olimpico in a game largely devoid of chances at either end. With Lazio's return to the Champions League against Olympiakos and Empoli's debut in the UEFA Cup against FC Zurich on the agenda next week, it appeared that minds of players on both sides were distracted by their forthcoming continental assignments.
Even the supporters seemed to have been sidetracked by their pending away days. A banner displaying the Lazio fans' 'pride' in president Claudio Lotito for leading them into the Champions League was unveiled before kick-off. This 90 minutes was not going to whet any of the fans' appetites ahead of this week's matches and neither side were able to create any chances, as Lazio's rookie goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was afforded a quiet debut.
SIENA 1-1 AC MILAN
Milan started the game impressively despite Carlo Ancelotti resting Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Oddo and Kaka ahead of the start of the defence of their Champions League crown against Benfica on Tuesday. Still, it was Siena who took the lead when Dida failed to gather a long-range shot by Christian Bucchi and Kakha Kaladze failed to clear the loose ball. Massimo Maccarone, who looked to be in an offside position on TV replays, reacted first to poke in the rebound on 24 minutes.
The second half was all Milan, although a Clarence Seedorf free-kick which fizzed just over was the closest they went to levelling before Nesta did just that in the first minute of added time. Seedorf almost won it for Milan deep into stoppage time, but his shot hit the woodwork at the end of a dramatic game which also saw Siena midfielder Mario Frick sent off.
LAZIO 0-0 EMPOLI
Lazio were held to a dour goalless draw by Empoli in Rome in the evening match - their third straight stalemate. Two teams who seemed to have their respective impending European outings on their minds did little more than turn up at the Stadio Olimpico in a game largely devoid of chances at either end. With Lazio's return to the Champions League against Olympiakos and Empoli's debut in the UEFA Cup against FC Zurich on the agenda next week, it appeared that minds of players on both sides were distracted by their forthcoming continental assignments.
Even the supporters seemed to have been sidetracked by their pending away days. A banner displaying the Lazio fans' 'pride' in president Claudio Lotito for leading them into the Champions League was unveiled before kick-off. This 90 minutes was not going to whet any of the fans' appetites ahead of this week's matches and neither side were able to create any chances, as Lazio's rookie goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was afforded a quiet debut.
Juventus and Roma both have maximum points ahead of outings on Sunday against Udinese and Reggina, while champions Inter host Catania at the San Siro.
SERIE A REVIEW:
[Saturday 15 Sep] - [Sunday 16 Sep]
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