News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp
Home  » Sports » Milan back on track with win over Lazio

Milan back on track with win over Lazio

Last updated on: September 22, 2008 17:17 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

AC Milan sealed their first win of the Serie A season when they overpowered early pacesetters Lazio 4-1 in an enthralling game at the San Siro on Sunday.

- Images: Weekend Football Action

Milan, only fifth last term, had lost their opening two league games to pile the pressure on coach Carlo Ancelotti.

He took a gamble for Lazio's visit by leaving Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko on the bench but the decision soon looked to have paid off when Clarence Seedorf scored on eight minutes.

The Dutchman rifled high into the net after his attempted pass rebounded back into his path off Lazio's Cristian Ledesma.

The visitors always looked dangerous on the break, however, and striker Mauro Zarate levelled the scores with a snapshot inside the near post for his fourth league goal this term.

The hosts stepped up the pace and were back in front when right back Gianluca Zambrotta unleashed a stunning 30-metre drive into the corner 10 minutes before the break.

Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato added a third with a diving header early in the second period before compatriot Kaka fired in beautifully from a distance.

Inter Milan earlier produced a masterclass of attacking play when they moved to the top with a 3-1 win at Torino.

The Italian champions had been finding their feet in Jose Mourinho's first few games in charge but they outclassed Torino thanks to an own goal by Marco Pisano, Maicon's superb shot and a neat finish from Zlatan Ibrahimovic after a quick break.

NEW BLOW

Elvis Abbruscato grabbed a goal back for the home side and Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar made a good stop late on but his side were never in danger.

"We were stronger, we scored three goals and we could have got five," Mourinho told Sky. "I'm very pleased but we need to work with continuity to get where I want us to get to."

Injury-hit Juventus also made it seven points from three games with new striker Amauri sealing a 1-0 win at bottom side Cagliari with his second goal in two league games on 39 minutes.

The Brazil-born forward crashed home Vincenzo Iaquinta's layoff as the striking pair showed they could fill the boots of injured duo David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero.

Juve suffered a new blow, however, when keeper Gianluigi Buffon went off with a thigh knock and his deputy Alex Manninger produced a smart stop near the end to secure victory.

Forward Alberto Gilardino continued his rich vein of form by scoring in Fiorentina's 1-0 victory over promoted Bologna.

The former Milan man headed in from close range to take his tally to five from six matches in all competitions this term.

AS Roma, runners-up last season, recorded their first win of the campaign on Saturday when they beat Reggina 3-0 at home.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Paris Olympics 2024

India's Tour Of Australia 2024-25