Serie A - Week 22: Sunday Review

Inter were unable to stretch their Serie A lead beyond six points as they were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by struggling Torino, and they now find AC Milan their nearest challengers following a 3-0 success at Lazio in the late game. Genoa secured a late win against Palermo and take advantage of Roma's slip up at Reggina. Bologna-Fiorentina was postponed by heavy snow.

LAZIO 0-3 AC MILAN
David Beckham continued his impressive form as AC Milan gave their Serie A title hopes a huge boost with a resounding win at Lazio. The 33-year-old, on a short-term deal from LA Galaxy, had been a doubt before the game with a leg muscle problem but started and provided goals for Alexandre Pato and Massimo Ambrosini either side of half-time. Ricardo Kaka killed the game off with seven minutes remaining as the Rossoneri leap-frog Juventus into second and narrow the gap on leaders Inter to six points.

INTER 1-1 TORINO
Inter were held at home by relegation-threatened Torino as the Nerazzurri failed to stretch their advantage over third-placed Juventus to nine points with a 1-1 draw. Rolando Bianchi put the visitors ahead two minutes after the interval at the San Siro and, although Nicolas Burdisso spared the hosts' blushes with the leveller 10 minutes later, the champions were unable to find the winner despite heavy pressure late on and hitting the post twice.

GENOA 1-0 PALERMO
Genoa left it late to beat Palermo, with a goal in the 88th minute from Domenico Criscito earning them a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. It seemed as though Genoa were going to be held for the second game running at home to Sicilian opposition after being frustrated by Catania last weekend, but their perseverance was rewarded late on. The win cements their fourth position in Serie A with nearest rivals Roma dropping points.

REGGINA 2-2 ROMA
Francesco Cozza struck a late equaliser for Reggina as Roma lost ground in the race to finish in the top four in Serie A after a 2-2 draw. The Giallorossi overcame the setback of conceding the opener to Bernardo Corradi to take the lead thanks to two David Pizarro strikes. But Cozza had the final say with the leveller with nine minutes to go as Roma fell three points behind fourth-placed Genoa.

CHIEVO 1-1 SAMPDORIA
Chievo and Sampdoria cancelled each other out at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi as they played out a 1-1 draw, a result which was perhaps fair but does neither side any favours. Giampaolo Pazzini fired the visitors ahead in spectacular fashion after 70 minutes withi his first goal but their lead lasted less than two minutes before Luca Rigoni restored parity for the hosts. That brief flurry of excitement was the only bright point in an otherwise uneventful game. Chievo remain second from bottom - despite not having lost in 2009 - and are now four points off safety, while Samp sit just five points above them in 15th.

SIENA 1-2 LECCE
Lecce secured a vital 2-1 victory at Siena to boost their hopes of moving clear of the relegation zone. The Salentini began the day just two points clear of the bottom three but doubled their cushion with a rare away victory despite playing 49 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Guillermo Giacomazzi for two bookable offences. By then they were already a goal in front thanks to Simone Tiribocchi's strike after 15 minutes and Jose Ignacio Castillo doubled their lead shortly after half-time before Abdelkader Ghezzal set up a nervy final 10 minutes.

ATALANTA 1-0 CATANIA
Tiberio Guarente secured three valuable points for Atalanta as Catania were controversially denied a draw as they lost 1-0 in Bergamo. The midfielder struck the game's only goal after 24 minutes to strengthen Atalanta's grip on a mid-table place in Serie A, however the visitors felt they should have had a late equaliser. Giuseppe Mascara looked to have scored a legitimate leveller but was denied by an offside flag - even though Ferreira Pinto appeared to be playing him onside.

BOLOGNA P-P FIORENTINA
Bologna's match against Fiorentina was postponed because of heavy snowfall in the city. The Lega Calcio confirmed that the match will be rescheduled for 24 hours later on Monday 2 February. [Match Review]

SERIE A REVIEW:
[Saturday 31 Jan] - [Sunday 1 Feb]