Italy: Milan gain on Juve with Fiorentina win

Soccerway - 25 March 2006 23:30

Andriy Shevchenko's equalizer sparked Milan (Allsport)

MILAN, Mar 25 (SW) - AC Milan came from behind to notch a victory over fourth-placed Fiorentina on Saturday to close the gap on leaders Juventus, who drew with Roma. Inter Milan, meanwhile, were upended away to Parma.

<b>AC Milan - Fiorentina</b> 3-1

Luca Toni fired the visitors into the lead just 13 minutes in with his league-leading 25th goal of the season, but Ukraine international striker Andriy Shevchenko leveled for the Rossoneri seven minutes later.

Brazilian playmaker Kaká headed home Alessandro Costacurta's cross three minutes into the second half to give Milan the lead, and Gennaro Gattuso's strike on the hour mark evenged Milan's loss at Fiorentina earlier in the season.

Milan are now eight points back of Juve while Fiorentina are still in fourth place, but only by a single point.

<b>Juventus - Roma</b> 1-1

Roma capitalized on a man-advantage in the second half to secure a draw away at the Stadio Delle Alpi on Saturday.

Emerson's header put the home side in front after 35 minutes had been played,but Juventus were reduced to ten men just before half-time when talisman Pavel Nedved was sent off for his second yellow card of the first half.

Juve did well to resist Roma for 40 minutes of the second half, but Houssine Kharja pulled the visitors level with a header in the 85th minute to secure a valuable point in their quest for a Champions League berth.

<b>Parma - Inter Milan</b> 1-0

Inter were hoping to go into Wednesday's Champions League game against Villarreal on a high note, but much like their Spanish counterparts they were defeated, the Nerazzurri falling away to Parma.

Fabio Simplicio took advantage of a misplayed ball by Pierre Womé and fired beyond Francesco Toldo to give Parma the 1-0 lead on 36 minutes.

Parma looked to be the better side at several points in the game and could have had more, but were thankful for the win after Esteban Cambiasso saw his header finely saved by Luca Bucci at the death to cap off a frustrating night for Inter.