Thaindian News

Rome, Feb 2 (IANS) AC Milan missed the chance to overtake Juventus in the Italian Serie A football after they lost to Lazio 0-2 at the Stadio Olimpico while city rivals Inter too faltered in their quest to reach the top after drawing with Palermo.

Defending champions AC Milan controlled possession throughout but could not find a way past Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, dropping valuable points in Rome in their battle for the Scudetto, Xinhua reported.

The result Wednesday, Milan’s fourth defeat of the season, has left them one point behind Serie A leaders Juventus, who have a game in hand after their scheduled match at Parma Tuesday was postponed due to the snow that has hit Serie A this week.

Lazio, meanwhile, remain fourth, four points adrift of Milan.

Inter Milan and Palermo drew 4-4 in snowy conditions at the San Siro with both Diego Milito and Fabrizio Miccoli scoring hat-tricks in an action-packed game.

Andrea Mantovani put Palermo in front in the 16th minute, but Diego Milito scored the first of his four goals six minutes later. Miccoli got his name on the score sheet for the first time to put Palermo in front again in the 52nd minute before two more goals from Milito turned the game around in Inter’s favour.

Miccoli brought Palermo level again in the 66th minute, but Milito struck again two minutes later to put Inter in front. However, the last word was reserved for Miccoli, who earned Palermo a point five minutes from time.

Udinese narrowed the gap on Juventus at the top of Serie A with a 2-1 victory over Lecce at the Stadio Friuli.

Napoli’s poor league form continued as they were held to a goalless draw at home by Cesena.

Walter Mazzarri’s side were denied victory by a controversial decision by referee Luca Banti to rule out a goal from Goran Pandev in stoppage time.