Ronaldinho stars for AC Milan
Published : Nov 15, 2008 00:00 IST
Roma’s wretched league season suffered further indignity in a cruel quirk of scheduling that lined up high-flying Udinese and resurgent Juventus, both away games, immediately after the 4-0 defeat to Inter Milan in mid-October. Defeats in both games left Roma in 17th place, with just seven points from nine games — a point above the relegation zone. It remains to be seen if the 3-1 Champions League win over Chelsea in midweek can catalyse Roma’s Serie A campaign.
AC Milan, which missed out on a Champions League spot last season, is now on top of the league table. Ronaldinho (in pic) scored with a late free kick against 10-man Napoli to clinch a 1-0 win, extending Milan’s winning streak to four games. Struck from between the left touchline and the penalty area, the Brazilian’s free kick swerved into that uncomfortable space near the six-yard box that turns defenders towards their own goal. And sure enough, Napoli’s Argentinean striker, German Denis, arrived on cue at the near post to deflect the ball into the far corner.
A point behind AC Milan, after 10 games, are Udinese and Inter Milan. Napoli is further down by a point in the fourth place. Lazio and Juventus snap at the top four like piranhas in fifth and sixth places.
Complied by Karthik Krishnaswamy