Milan´s home woes continue in Roma loss

AFP - 28 October 2007 18:36

AS Roma´s midfielder Max Tonetto (C) challenges for the ball with AC Milan´s midfielder Andrea Pirlo (back) and midfielder Gennaro Ivan Gattuso (R) during their Italian serie A football match at San Siro stadium in Milan. Roma won 1-0.

ROME (AFP) - AC Milan's desperate home league form continued Sunday as they were beaten 1-0 by title-chasing Roma, losing at the San Siro for the second game in a row.

Having now gone five home games this season without a single victory and just three points, the European champions slumped to 13th in the table, a massive 11 points off leaders Inter Milan and just three points ahead of the relegation zone.

Any hopes Carlo Ancelotti's men had of landing the title before the season began seem to have all but evaporated with only nine games played and Ancelotti must be starting to look anxiously over his shoulder, particularly with the likes of Jose Mourinho seeking employment.

However, he is trying to stay positive. "We are not depressed, just disappointed. After the game we evaluated the current form," said Ancelotti, who guided Milan to the Champions League title last term.

"It is a tough time, especially on home turf. Today was a balanced match with chances for both sides. They broke the deadlock, although we played just as well."

With Francesco Totti injured, Mirko Vucinic was thrust into centre-stage and he took to the spotlight with aplomb, diving at the near post to head home a right-wing cross from lively Brazilian fullback Cicinho.

And it could have been even worse for Milan as Daniele De Rossi casually chipped a penalty over the bar with 10 minutes left after Massimo Ambrosini had been somewhat harshly sent-off following a second yellow card for dragging down De Rossi in the penalty area.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti was delighted with his team's mental strength.

"It was a balanced game, but my team proved it has taken some very clear steps forward in terms of character," he said.

Curiously Milan's home form in the league is in stark contrast from their Champions League displays at the San Siro where they have beaten Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk.

The win moved Roma up to second in the table, three points behind Inter, who were held to a 0-0 draw at Palermo, and one point above Juventus, who controversially lost 3-1 at Napoli on Saturday.

Fiorentina missed the chance to go second and close the gap on Inter to two points as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Genoa in Sunday's late game. The Viola are third, ahead of Juve on goal difference.

Despite leading the league, Inter coach Roberto Mancini is feeling the strain of an injury crisis and a loaded fixture calendar.

Having already lost Patrick Vieira in midweek they lost Dejan Stankovic against Palermo.

"This is getting to be a problem. We have too many games in quick succession and it is not easy when you only have a limited selection of players," said Mancini.

Elsewhere Lazio's poor form continued with a 1-0 defeat at Udinese, who move up to fifth while their hosts drop to 14th.

Parma eased the pressure on their boss Dominico Di Carlo with a thrilling 3-2 success over rock-bottom visitors Livorno, who finished the game with 10-men.

On Saturday, Juventus's flying start to the season came to a shuddering halt as two dubious second half penalties from Maurizio Domizzi cost them a share of the spoils in the south.

Alessandro Del Piero gave the visitors the lead just a minute after the break but Walter Gargano scored a stunning individual equaliser before Domizzi's penalties turned the game around.

Juve were left fuming by the two spot-kicks that cost them a point.

First Girogio Chiellini was adjudged to have brought down Ezequiel Lavezzi when his tackle looked clean and then Gianluigi Buffon was punished for bringing down Marcelo Zalayeta, who appeared to have dived.

Both times Domizzi sent Buffon the wrong way from 12 yards. Juve were outraged with David Trezeguet saying: "When these things happen, it is quite simply a scandal."