Week 22: Milan blow it once again

Milan 1-1 Livorno
With Parma v Inter postponed due to snow, Milan had the chance to put pressure on their rivals by taking all three points at home to Livorno. Sadly for them, it was an opportunity they just could not take as they stuttered to a 1-1 draw. Max Ambrosini put them ahead just before half time when he tapped in, a few minutes after an excellent Ronaldinho effort had hit the post. However, the lead was short lived as after the break Livorno leveled through Cristiano Lucarelli after Favalli had gifted the ball back to the opposition. Milan had no answers for the rest of the game as Serse Cosmi's boys shut up shop.

Napoli 0-0 Genoa
And while Milan dropped points the following day, Napoli will consider themselves in the same position after a 0-0 at home to Genoa. They had not beaten Genoa in 8 years, and it was clear as the game went on that this would remain the case. The best effort of the first half went to Paolo Cannavaro as his volley crashed against the San Paolo cross bar. After the break Napoli continued to create chances, but continued not to take them. German Denis had his effort saved when clear through against Amelia, and then moments later missed the target completly after being played through by Hamsik. It ended 0-0, but Lavezzi will return for the next home clash against Inter on valentines day.

Roma 2-1 Siena
Roma continued their climb up the table, and now find themselves in joint second place, though Milan have a game in hand. They left it late, but Stefan Okaka produced a moment of magic to give Roma three points before they face a stern examination away at Fiorentina this weekend.

Juventus 1-1 Lazio
Both sides were in need of three points, but both left somewhat disappointed after it finished all square in Turin on Sunday night. Juventus attacked right from the outset, but so negative were the tactics of Lazio that really Juve had no option but to keep going forward. Diego had a great chance to open the scoring early on, but his effort was directed straight at Muslera. Lazio's only chance came from Mauri in the closing stages of the first but the effort was not caught with much power. After the break Lazio came out with more vigour, but again sat back for the most part allowing Juve dictate the play. They did, and eventually won a penalty in dubious circumstances, in which Del Piero went down without virtually any contact. He converted the kick, but this sparked Lazio into life. Rocchi joined Cruz and Zarate in the attack and a wonderful ball from the latter was finished off by Mauri to level at 1-1. Lazio continued to go on the attack and looked much the better side in the last 15 minutes, but it was too little to late. If only they had attacked from the start.

Elsewhere
Bari put in a stunning performance to defeat Palermo 4-2, while fellow southern outfit Catania were held at home by an improving Udinese side 1-1. Chievo were also held at home by a similar scoreline, while continuing the theme of draws Fiorentina could only manage a 2-2 away to Cagliari, no doubt a difficult place to go. Sampdoria did however register three points, beating Atalanta 2-0 at home with Pazzini on the score sheet.