Parma 1 Reggina 2
Di Michele 27' (Reg), Gilardino pen. 80' (Par), Cozza 91' (Reg)
Giancarlo Camolese collected his first win as Reggina boss thanks to his side’s 2-1 win at Parma. An injury time strike from Francesco Cozza gave the southerners a crucial victory which eases their relegation fears.
After defeats against Juventus and Venezia (in the Italian Cup), Parma were looking to get back to winning ways in order to become Champions’ League contenders yet again. While Reggina were eyeing at least a point to aid their survival hopes.
The away side got off to a stunning start. Sebastien Frey was called into action on three minutes to stop a Cozza long ranger, before Reggina hit the side netting through Di Michele after a deflected shot.
The resulting corner proved to be just as dangerous when Frey produced a miracle save from former Parma forward Bonazzoli - who couldn’t believe his header had failed to ripple the net.
Parma, wearing their original white shirts with a black cross to celebrate their 90th birthday, were struggling to move forward and had to wait until the 17th minute to seriously threaten. However, Marchionni’s solo run ended with a Falsini tackle.
Cardone then tried his luck for the Tardini outfit with an overhead kick but Belardi replied by diving to his right to make a fine save. It also proved to be crucial as Reggina soon took the lead a few minutes later.
Di Michele sprung the Parma offside trap, he chipped the ball over the stranded Frey, ran around the ‘keeper to slide the ball home into the unguarded net.
That fired up the home side who went close on three occasions in just four minutes. Firstly Barone tested Belardi. Marchionni then headed over a Morfeo cross which should have been converted, before Gilardino headed a corner straight to the Reggina ‘keeper.
Parma boss Cesare Prandelli instantly brought on two creative players at half-time in the shape of Nakata and Carbone. Yet they were still struggling to get the ball past Belardi.
The ‘keeper blocked two early second half efforts from Castellini and then a Carbone free-kick. Before Parma struck the post with Gilardino from close range as Sottil then cleared the danger.
Di Michele then twice went close to doubling his side’s lead. His powerful angled drive from the edge of the box was saved by Frey’s foot. Minutes later he looked destined to roll the ball home from close range before Ferrari’s desperate tackle.
Di Michele’s misfortune was to prove costly when he gave away a penalty in the closing stages. Junior floated in a cross which the forward decided to handle. Gilardino struck his right footed spot kick to the left of the goalkeeper.
That goal was perhaps tough on Reggina who had defended desperately. Yet the game was by no means over. Parma were reduced to 10 men in the 90th minute when Cardone picked up a second yellow.
It took Reggina just one minute to capitalise. Di Michele saw an effort saved by Frey, Mesto picked up the rebound to cross to Cozza who blasted home for an injury time winner.
Empoli 0 AS Roma 2
Totti pen 23' 45' (Rom)
Francesco Totti was again on target as his unstoppable Roma side collected a 2-0 win at struggling Empoli. The captain struck both goals to ensure that his side stay clear at the top of Serie A.
There was an unfamiliar look to the Roma side because of their left-sided problems. Vincent Candela was unavailable, while Lima was left out of the starting line-up after his AWOL episode. That saw Dellas drafted into the defence and Chivu moved out to the flank.
Roma were strong favourites to win going into the game and they instantly attacked. They had a penalty appeal rejected after four minutes before Cassano saw his shot saved by Bucci with just the former Parma ‘keeper to beat.
Yet Empoli, who caused Milan problems two weeks ago, were not resigned to a defeat. Pelizzoli had to be alert on two occasions after efforts from Rocchi and a Di Natale volley that flew wide of the goal.
Roma boss Fabio Capello decided to adjust his system. He moved Panucci to the left, allowing Chivu to slot into his more familiar back three role. Within minutes, the away side took the lead.
Carew turned inside the penalty area where he was caught by Pratali just before he could get his shot away. The referee pointed to the spot much to the annoyance of the defender and Di Natale who were both booked. Francesco Totti powered his penalty to the right of Bucci.
Empoli’s attempt to get back into the game was limited by Roma’s possession of the ball. On 38 minutes, Capellini went close when his 25-yard free-kick hit the side netting. That was a rare scare for the away side.
Dellas almost doubled their lead on 40 minutes, before a piece of magic from Totti put his side 2-0 up in first half injury time. The captain received a pass from Cassano, he spotted Bucci off his line and from 17 metres chipped the ball into the back of the net. Simply extraordinary!
There were no substitutions to digest with the half-time oranges. Roma were looking to control their lead and Empoli’s attempts to get back into the game were tame as Agostini and Cribari didn’t trouble Pelizzoli with their efforts.
On 58 minutes Totti almost grabbed his hat-trick. Cassano and Mancini worked a short corner but the No 10’s header finished well over the bar. Mancini threatened himself soon after when his diagonal cross shot missed the target and the stretched foot of Cassano.
Empoli’s only real chances were being created at set-pieces. A Capellini cross eventually found Di Natale whose shot just finished over. Substitute Foggia then struck a 20-yard free-kick which was off target.
Totti was again handed a chance to get his third thanks to a poor Agostini back-pass. But his effort, which beat Bucci, ran across the mouth of the goal. The Roma idol then tried his luck with his left foot in the 81st minute but Bucci tipped it around the post.
Roma’s win ensures that the Giallorossi end 2003 at the top of the League, even if Milan do have their rearranged game against Siena to play in January.
Chievo 1 Ancona 0
Cossato 42' (Chi)
Chievo earn their first Serie A win since November 9 after getting the better of bottom club Ancona.
Ancona had not won in Serie A all season, but the arrival of Milan Rapajc and Goran Pandev provided some more firepower upfront.
Amauri has not lived up to his early promise for the Flying Donkeys and saw a goal disallowed for a push on Esposito.
The home side continued to have the best chances with Andrea Zanchetta's drive from distance and a desperate Marcon save on Salvatore Lanna's header.
Gigi Del Neri's men eventually broke through just before half-time. Federico Cossato has been out of favour in the last month, but made his mark by taking advantage of a defensive error on Zanchetta's inch-perfect pass.
There was more bad news for Ancona, as Stefano Lombardi was stretchered off with a fractured tibia. It looked to be an horrific injury in an accidental midfield collision.
Amauri began to increase his influence on the game in the second half and brought a fine save out of Marcon with a volley before his header was cleared off the line by Pandev.
Franco Semioli saw his goal disallowed because teammate Mario Alberto Santana was offside.
Dario Hubner has barely featured for Ancona this season due to a series of injury problems, but the substitute earned a spot-kick when he was brought down by Fabio Moro. However, Milan Rapajc saw his penalty saved by Luca Marchegiani.
Lecce 1 Juventus 1
Konan 25' (Lec), Trezeguet 88' (Juv)
Substitute David Trezeguet scored a crucial goal as ten-man Juventus risked defeat against relegation battlers Lecce.
Juventus were without the injured Alessio Tacchinardi and Lilian Thuram, while the flu epidemic sweeping Italy has taken in Pavel Nedved, Paolo Montero and Edgar Davids. Surprisingly, David Trezeguet was left on the bench to begin with, sparking more reports that his contract renegotiations have hit problems.
Lecce had the first real scoring opportunity and indeed hit the back of the net with Javier Ernesto Chevanton, but the goal was correctly disallowed for an offside position.
Marco Di Vaio then turned a free header over the bar from Fabrizio Miccoli's set-piece. It was a special occasion for Miccoli, as he was playing in his hometown.
The home side was considerably more determined and deservedly took the lead after 24 minutes. The irrepressible Chevanton's long cross from the corner flag found Axel Konan completely unmarked to nod in at the far post.
Miccoli almost drew level with a curling free kick, but the ball swung back in on the side netting.
Juventus were really struggling and Marcelo Zalayeta replaced Nicola Legrottaglie, who was suffering from a muscular problem.
The Bianconeri really should have equalised just before the break when Miccoli's effort was parried, but Alessandro Del Piero hesitated to shoot from six yards and saw his two efforts eventually charged down.
The reigning Champions increased the pressure with a fine save on Zalayeta, but this left them open to the counter-attack and Mark Iuliano was sent off for a last man foul on Chevanton.
It was a controversial decision, as the referee allowed the move to continue with Cristian Ledesma's shot before going back and red-carding the defender. Although Iuliano clearly went to trip Chevanton and not go for the ball, it is unclear whether or not he was the last man.
Lecce somehow failed to double their lead soon after, as Max Tonetto was one on one with Buffon but preferred to slide the ball across to Chevanton and allowed the defence to recover.
There was panic in the Giallorossi area moments later, as young goalkeeper Poleksic allowed an Enzo Maresca drive to squirm under his body, but turned round and stopped the ball just before it could completely cross the line.
Trezeguet was eventually allowed on to the field and it proved a decisive moment, as the Frenchman scored the equaliser four minutes from time. He sprung the offside trap on Stephan Appiah's lifted pass and placed the ball past Poleksic.
The Bianconeri nearly turned it around completely when substitute Mauro Camoranesi's long-range effort was deflected inches wide.
It turned into a siege in stoppage time and Trezeguet saw another shot charged down from six yards.
Milan 1 Udinese 2
Fava 2' (Udi), Sensini 51' (Udi), Cafu 69' (Mil)
The Rossoneri suffer their first Serie A defeat of the season and risk slipping out of the top two ahead of the Winter break.
Milan traditionally struggle in the last game ahead of the Christmas break and have won only one of these encounters in the last ten years.
The Rossoneri were forced to do without the flu-stricken Andriy Shevchenko. Pippo Inzaghi was able to make his first start in almost two months due to thigh problems. The defence was reshuffled following Alessandro Nesta's knee surgery.
It took just 90 seconds for Udinese to take a shock lead at the San Siro. Marek Jankulovski cut across for Dino Fava to sweep in from the edge of the box. The finish was accurate and slotted in by the near post past the outstretched hand of Dida.
Inzaghi had the opportunity to draw level soon after, but he ballooned over from eight yards.
Milan seemed to struggle under Udinese's midfield pressure, but there was a very controversial moment on 19 minutes. Inzaghi charged into the box and clashed with Morgan De Sanctis. The referee pointed to the spot, but replays suggest an element of doubt.
Nonetheless, Andrea Pirlo stepped up to take Milan's first Serie A penalty of the season, only to slam it on to the near post. The midfielder was almost infallible from the spot last season, but also missed in the Intercontinental Cup shoot-out with Boca Juniors last week.
Carlo Ancelotti's men continued to make errors as the Udinese players pressured them all over the field, Muntari drilling wide after taking the ball off Pirlo.
The Rossoneri got themselves into scoring positions, but Kaka's diving header was easily gathered. The young Brazilian tried to earn another penalty when he fell under pressure from Pazienza, but the referee booked him for diving.
Udinese wasted another opportunity on the counter-attack, when Dida lost the ball but Fava's header was too central to trouble the goalkeeper.
It was a lively encounter and Marcos Cafu brought a tough save out of De Sanctis with an angled drive at the near post.
Milan replaced the disappointing Martin Laursen with Alessandro Costacurta and tried to fight back at the dawn of the second half with Kaka' and Inzaghi, but it was Udinese who doubled their lead.
Six minutes after the restart Valerio Bertotto slammed in a stunning free kick that took a touch off Nestor Sensini to lift it over Dida. There was controversy in this incident as well, as replays suggest Sensini might have been offside when the kick was taken.
Milan finally got back into the game with 20 minutes left on the clock, as a free kick fell to Marcos Cafu for a well-taken volley at the near post.
However, the atmosphere was tense and Kakha Kaladze lost control. He was accidentally kicked in the stomach by Giampiero Pinzi, then a scuffle broke out and he swung out at Bertotto. The red card was inevitable following this reaction foul from the Georgian.
Despite being a man down it turned into a siege during the final stages, as Sensini and De Sanctis desperately charged down efforts from Inzaghi and Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Perugia 2 Brescia 2
Margiotta 5' (Per), Di Biagio 9' (Bre), Danielli og 72' (Per), Fillipini 77' (Bre)
Perugia are still without that elusive first Serie A victory of the campaign and once again lost a lead quickly.
Zisis Vryzas was eager to make his mark on this very special day. It was his last performance in a Grifoni jersey after agreeing a January switch to Fiorentina.
It was a lightning start to this match, as within five minutes Massimo Margiotta rose to nod in a Fabio Grosso corner kick and put the home side ahead.
However, moments later Brescia were level thanks to a fierce Gigi Di Biagio free kick that caught goalkeeper Stefano Pardini by surprise.
The game was played at a high tempo and after a fine save on Andrea Caracciolo's header, there was controversy at the other end of the field.
Perugia insisted they should have been given a penalty for Dario Dainelli's clash with Vryzas, but the referee awarded a free kick against the Greek international.
Brescia also had a complaint after Vryzas appeared to handle the ball inside his own penalty area.
Pardini, who will be 28 next week, is Perugia's third choice goalkeeper after the injured Zeljko Kalac and Michele Tardioli, but performed a stunning save on Stefano Mauri's long-range effort.
Di Biagio has been rediscovered as a central defender this season and showed he has settled into this new role with a crucial last man tackle on Margiotta.
Brescia seemed to have the best chances despite Perugia's superior possession, but a moment of luck turned the game in Serse Cosmi's favour. Grosso's cross took the slightest of touches off Jay Bothroyd but ricocheted into the net off Brescia defender Dario Dainelli.
However, the Grifoni have shown this season that they have terrible problems holding on to a lead and it lasted just five minutes. Antonio Filippini put Brescia back in it with a scuffed shot that was taken quickly.
The home side kept on pushing for that elusive victory, but Margiotta wasted a couple of golden opportunities before Chris Obodo's fierce strike rattled the crossbar.
Sampdoria 1 Modena 1
Conte og 21' (Mod), Bazzani 48' (Sam)
Sampdoria extend their unbeaten run to seven games, but are held on home turf by Modena.
Samp had a very strong start with Francesco Flachi and Massimo Donati going close.
On 15 minutes Fabio Bazzani thought he had opened the scoring when his header beat Marco Ballotta, but Antonio Marasco was able to perform a crucial goalline clearance.
At the other end of the field Modena also went close to an opener, but Francesco Antonioli held firm on Nicola Campedelli's drive.
It was Modena who eventually took the lead in bizarre circumstances. Diomansy Kamara ran through the Samp defence and aimed for the far post, but the ball took a decisive deflection off Mirko Conte to leave his goalkeeper hoplessly stranded.
Sampdoria rather lost their way after that surprise goal against the run of play and almost conceded another with a series of dangerous counter-attacks.
However, within five minutes of the restart they were level as Bazzani rose to nod in Stefano Bettarini's centre.
This goal boosted their confidence and Cristiano Doni curled a wonderful efort inches past the far post.
Samp really thought they had taken the lead on the hour mark, as Aimo Diana toe-poked the ball towards the far post, but 39-year-old Marco Ballotta was at full stretch to fingertip it wide.
Siena 0 Bologna 0
The points are shared at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, but Siena will perhaps feel they did more to deserve a full house.
Siena returned to Serie A action after a week of rest - their game with Milan has been postponed until Jan 28 - and were immediately aggressive.
Ex-Bologna striker Nicola Ventola was eager to score against his former club, but ballooned a good opportunity wide in the opening minutes.
Gianni Guigou set up Ventola for another interesting chance, only for him to fire a weak effort straight at the goalkeeper.
Rodrigo Taddei was more effective for the home side as Gianluca Pagliuca was forced to punch away his powerful drive from distance.
Ventola went closer to the target with a volley that skimmed the woodwork, but Bologna held on until half-time.
Igli Tare turned a good scoring opportunity over the bar early into the second period, but Bologna's penalty appeals for a push on Fabio Pecchia were waved away.
Siena kept on pushing with a series of shots from Taddei and Ventola that were off target. They threw on Enrico Chiesa for the final minutes, his first appearance since suffering a thigh strain a month ago.
Lazio 1 Inter Milan
Vieri 30' (Int), Corradi 42' (Laz), Zauri 82' (Laz)
Substitute Luciano Zauri sealed a fiery affair in Lazio's favour as Alberto Zaccheroni loses his first Inter match in Serie A.
Inter had the opportunity to leap into second place with a victory at the Olimpico, but they have not won here since 1996. Andy van der Meyde was out injured, but Daniele Adani played on with a face mask despite fracturing his nose last week.
The lead-up to this game was explosive, as Roberto Mancini admitted he regrets his decision to stay with Lazio last summer. Considering the main offer on the table at the time was from the San Siro, that was a particularly ill-timed revelation.
Even more headline-grabbing was Dejan Stankovic's admission that he has chosen to join Inter rather than Juventus when his contract expires in June. The Serb was set to be ruled out of this game with suspension, but his four-match ban was reduced on appeal.
These statements pushed the Biancocelesti fans into staging a strike for the first 15 minutes of the game, leaving the Curva Nord bare except for their banners.
It was also a special occasion for Alberto Zaccheroni, who returned to face his former club for the first time and hoped to notch up a seventh Serie A win on the trot.
It was an immediately aggressive start from both sides and ex-Lazio man Christian Vieri nodded a good Giovanni Pasquale cross wide.
The home side also had an early effort with Demetrio Albertini and Fabio Liverani long-range efforts testing Francesco Toldo.
There was panic in the Lazio area when a Pasquale centre was almost turned into his own net by Fernando Couto, but Matteo Sereni was secure behind it.
At the other end of the field there were strong appeals for a Lazio penalty when Bernardo Corradi fell and appeared to have his shirt tugged by Fabio Cannavaro, but the referee waved play on.
Corradi stayed on his feet soon after and sent a splendid volley on the half-turn inches wide of Toldo's net.
It was a very open game and Inter nearly took the lead when Alvaro Recoba drew Sereni off his line before cutting back into the centre, but the Lazio defence was able to clear.
However, Sereni performed a howler on 29 minutes and this time Christian Vieri was not so charitable. The goalkeeper only palmed a low Recoba cross into the path of the Italian international on the edge of his six-yard box.
Toldo was far more secure for the Nerazzurri and three minutes later he tipped Fiore's volley over the bar.
The home side seemed to be losing heart, but just before the break Corradi managed to flick an intelligent Stankovic cross past Toldo with the outside of his right foot. The space was created when the Serb sprung the offside trap and placed a perfect ball into the centre for the ex-Inter striker.
Both teams put on attacking wingers for the second half as Kily Gonzalez and Massimo Oddo joined the fray.
Lazio had the first chance after 60 seconds with another Albertini screamer that went just wide.
Soon after Toldo fingertipped a Liverani free kick over the bar, but the linesman did not spot the touch and gave a goal kick.
Inter had penalty appeals rejected when Julio Cruz fell under a challenge from Jaap Stam. There was certainly contact, but the referee was close by and considered it to be a stumble.
Sereni remained nervous and fumbled a corner kick, but Stankovic shielded him until he could recover the ball.
Vieri was eager to complete his brace and a fierce effort from distance dipped dangerously close to the crossbar.
Luciano Zauri marked his 100th Serie A game as a substitute, pushing Oddo further upfield as a winger.
The atmosphere heated up on 68 minutes and former Lazio midfielder Matias Almeyda was booked for a challenge on Corradi. The Argentine became agitated and continued the scuffle, even taking the red card away from referee Trefoloni and attacking Corradi again. It took several teammates to wrestle him away from the scene, but it left Inter in ten men for the final 20 minutes.
Lazio were buoyed and Toldo did well to control a Fiore effort in the pouring rain. The Nerazzurri hoped that this would leave them open to the counter-attack and threw on Obafemi Martins.
The home side thought they had won the game soon after when Corradi was left completely unmarked from less than six yards, but incredibly ballooned over the bar of an open goal.
Lazio tried their last card with teenager Alfonso Delgado, a half-Italian, half-Spanish youth product who has already made several substitute appearances this season.
It proved an inspired choice, as within a minute Delgado cut back for Luciano Zauri's angled drive at the back post. The former Atalanta winger was able to mark his 100th Serie A appearance with a rare goal.
There was further controversy soon after, as Zauri was pushed by Kily Gonzalez on the very edge of the box, even though he fell inside the area. Liverani took the resulting free kick and rattled the crossbar with his curling effort.