Milan miss chance to go top

Milan miss chance to go top
(AFP) Monday 22 March 2010
Print
Email my friend
Share

AC Milan squandered the chance to leapfrog Inter and go top of Serie A after a 1-1 with Napoli on Sunday, while Antonio Cassano's 35-yard stunner gave Sampdoria victory over a sorry Juventus.

Milan's Filippo Inzaghi's 26th-minute header cancelled out Hugo Campagnaro's 13th-minute opener in an attacking encounter at the San Siro with both sides having chances to claim all three points. "We're in a great position to fight for the title," said Milan coach Leonardo, whose side remain one point behind Inter and three above third-place Roma.

Inter, who had a 10-point advantage over their city rivals in October, were held to a 1-1 draw by UEFA Champions League hopefuls Palermo on Saturday. "I can't reproach the boys for lacking desire but a lot of things are needed to win. I don't think today's result will have a major bearing on who wins the scudetto," added Leonardo, who had lost David Beckham and Alessandro Nesta to serious injuries in the week.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri, whose side are seventh, five points off the Champions League places, felt his team deserved better against a Milan outfit who were bidding to go top for the first time this season. "We should have had it won by half-time but we just couldn't take our chances. We showed today that we are at the same level as Milan," said Mazzari.

Milan, who last won the title in 2004, were hit with a double blow inside the first 15 minutes. The returning Alexander Pato limped off, while calamitous defending allowed Napoli to take the lead in the 13th minute.