Inter missed the chance to open up a six-point gap over city rivals AC Milan in Serie A after being held to a goalless draw by Genoa, while Palermo are back up to fourth after beating Livorno. Elsewhere Bologna beat Napoli and Sampdoria defeated Lazio.
Inter 0-0 Genoa
Serie A leaders Inter were held to a goalless draw by Genoa at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The Nerazzurri went into the game knowing that a win would see them climb six points clear of second-placed AC Milan after the Rossoneri were held to a 0-0 draw by Roma on Saturday. However, Inter could not find their way past a resilient Genoa side and despite a strong finish, the hosts had to settle for a point. Despite the result, Jose Mourinho's side hold a four-point cushion over Milan at the top of the standings with opponents Genoa ninth.
Palermo 1-0 Livorno
Palermo moved back to fourth in Serie A after a narrow 1-0 win over struggling Livorno. Fabrizio Miccoli scored the only goal of the game nine minutes from time to bring the Stadio Renzo Barbera to life and hand his side their third straight triumph. The result sees the Sicilian giants leapfrog Juventus and move into the UEFA Champions League qualifying spot, two points clear of the Turin giants. Livorno coach Serse Cosmi will be disappointed with the result as his team looked to be holding on for a point before Miccoli struck the winner. The result leaves the Amaranto in 18th place, three points from Lazio, who hold the last position of safety.
Bologna 2-1 Napoli
Bologna took an important step towards Serie A safety with a shock 2-1 win over Napoli, who saw their own hopes of qualifying for a Champions League place hit as a result. The home side were two goals to the good after just 12 minutes but held that advantage for only two minutes before the visitors hit back. Marcelo Zalayeta had given Bologna the lead with seven minutes gone before Adailton doubled their advantage. Napoli pulled a goal back through Leandro Rinaudo two minutes later but they could not make another breakthrough on the resolute Bologna defence. Napoli drop to seventh in the standings, while Bologna are now 11 points clear of the relegation zone.
Sampdoria 2-1 Lazio
Sampdoria recovered from a goal down to beat Serie A strugglers Lazio 2-1 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Things began well for the Biancoceleste with Sergio Flocarri giving them a seventh-minute lead. However, goals from Stefano Guberti and Giampaolo Pazzini gave the home side a half-time advantage. Lazio's miserable afternoon was compounded when Mauro Zarate was sent off late on for deliberate handball. Samp move into sixth, three points off a Champions League spot, while Lazio remain just three points above the bottom three.
Bari 1-0 Chievo
Bari ended a run of four successive defeats with a 1-0 win against Chievo which eases their fears of dropping into a relegation fight. The Galletti were riding high in the Serie A table a few weeks ago but their recent wobble had seen them slip to 13th, just nine points above the drop zone. But they can now start to look upwards once more thanks to Jose Ignacio Castillo's 20th-minute winner. The hosts also missed a late penalty when substitute Massimo Donati saw his spot-kick saved by Stefano Sorrentino. The outcome means Bari have now pulled level on points with their vanquished opponents in midtable.
Cagliari 2-2 Catania
Cagliari equalised five minutes after going down to 10 men to halt their losing streak with a 2-2 draw against struggling Catania. Substitute Andrea Cossu, who made his Italy debut in the goalless friendly draw with Cameroon in midweek, ended a memorable week in style, making it 2-2 after Michele Canini had picked up his second yellow card as the home side ended a run of two straight 2-1 defeats. Andrea Lazzari had put the Sardinians in front with a 30-yard free-kick, but two goals in four minutes from Giuseppe Mascara with a penalty and Maxi Lopez turned the game on its head before half-time.
Siena 1-1 Parma
Siena showed their willingness to scrap for their Serie A survival as they extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a 1-1 draw against Parma. Alberto Malesani's side remain bottom of the table but only five points off safety. They fell behind to a goal from Jonathan Biabiany against the run of play after 34 minutes but Simone Vergassola equalised for the Tuscan side with 20 minutes to go.
Atalanta 0-0 Udinese
Serie A strugglers Atalanta and Udinese remain in trouble after a drab goalless draw. The hosts' need for points was the greater as they went into the clash in the bottom three and six points adrift of their rivals. But neither side could break the deadlock, with Simone Pepe going closest for the visitors, while Atalanta had Paolo Bianco sent off late on after picking up two bookings.
SERIE A REVIEW:
[Saturday 6 March] - [Sunday 7 March]
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