Thaindian News

Rome, Sep 22 (IANS) Reigning Italian Serie A champions AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Udinese Wednesday.

Stephan El Shaarawy scored his first Milan goal to scrape a point in this entertaining clash with Udinese.

Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati gifted Udinese the opener with an absolute howler at the 28th minute. He fumbled a timid cross from Gabriel Torje straight into the path of Di Natale for the easiest of tap-ins.

Milan were unlucky on 40 minutes, as Clarence Seedorf hit a powerful and low free kick that beat Samir Handanovic only to cannon off the base of the far post.

Milan did get their equaliser with El Shaarawy’s first goal in a Rossoneri jersey. The Little Pharaow ran on to a Cassano through ball and wasted no time placing a right-foot angled drive across Handanovic in at the far bottom corner.

Mirko Vucinic was hero and villain, as he scored a goal and was stupidly sent off in the 1-1 draw between Juventus and Bologna.

There was controversy on 28 minutes when Daniele Portanova hauled down Giorgio Chiellini in the box, but the referee awarded a free kick for Alessandro Del Piero’s offside position.

Juventus did take the lead in controversial circumstances. Andrea Pirlo took a free kick quickly for Mirko Vucinic, who immediately smashed it past Jean-Francois Gillet with an angled drive.

Juventus shot themselves in the foot as Vucinic was booked for dissent, receiving a second yellow card for a late tackle on Archimede Morleo.

In the 52nd minute, Daniele Portanova rose above the crowd to nod the equaliser into the ground, bouncing into the top corner.

Napoli paid the price for massive squad rotation with a surprise 1-0 defeat at Chievo. Thanks to a brace from Rodrigo Palacio and a goal from Kevin Constant, Genoa scored an emphatic win at home as they beat Catania 3-0. Atlanta were still in convincing form as they beat Lecce 2-1 away.

In the other fixtures of the day, Palermo beat Cagliari 3-2, Cesena lost 2-1 to Lazio, Fiorentina beat Parma 3-0.