Juve Hold Roma As Inter Stumble At Bologna
MILAN (Reuters) - Ten-man Juventus have held on for a 0-0 draw at leaders AS Roma in Serie A, but challengers Inter Milan failed to make up ground as they suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at Bologna.
Reigning champions Roma are top with 45 points, one more than Juventus and two ahead of third-placed Inter, who slumped to their first away defeat of the season.
It was a bad day for the city of Milan, with AC Milan failing to win for the fifth straight game after being held 1-1 by Perugia, who finished the match with nine men.
Parma's Marco Di Vaio grabbed his 15th goal of the season in their 1-0 victory over out-of-sorts Lazio, whose midfielder Giuliano Giannichedda was sent off in the 75th minute.
It was backs against the wall for Juventus after they had defender Mark Iuliano sent off for a second bookable offence in the 41st minute following a lunging, late challenge on Brazilian wing-back Cafu, who had been the focal point of Roma's pressure throughout the first half.
Gabriel Batistuta had the best effort on goal in the opening 45 minutes, forcing a good save out of Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon with a powerful header.
But following Iuliano's sending off, Juve coach Marcello Lippi replaced striker Alessandro Del Piero with midfielder Antonio Conte at the interval and Juve set their stall out for a draw.
Batistuta again went close to breaking the deadlock when Marco Delvecchio slid the ball to him in front of goal but Gianluca Pessotto did well to block the Argentine's close-range shot.
Roma coach Fabio Capello may regret leaving Italy striker Vincenzo Montella on the bench for the duration but Juve can be rightly proud of a fine defensive display after the break.
INTER DESPERATE
After draws with Venezia and Torino, Inter were desperate to return to winning ways at Bologna.
But the hosts, who moved up to fifth place, showed the qualities that have marked their impressive season with some resolute defending and sharp finishing.
Bologna went ahead in the 56th minute when, from a corner, Fabio Pecchia stooped at the near post to glance in a header with the Inter defence looking on.
The impressive Lamberto Zauli then doubled Bologna's lead with a firm left-foot drive after a smart body swerve had fooled Inter's Argentine international Nelson Vivas.
Bologna goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca then foiled his former team with an excellent diving save to keep out a curling free kick from Alvaro Recoba as Inter searched for a way back into the game.
One minute from time substitute Clarence Seedorf pulled a goal back with a fine solo effort, but it was too little too late for the visitors.
MISERABLE FORM
Chievo's 2-1 home defeat by Udinese on Saturday gave Milan the chance to close in on the fourth Champions League qualification spot.
But despite the return from injury of Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa, Milan's miserable form continued.
Brazilian winger Serginho put the home side ahead from the penalty spot in the 18th minute but 12 minutes later Milan's Italy midfielder Massimo Ambrosini, making another attempt to return from injury, had to be substituted.
Two minutes after the restart Perugia drew level through Fabio Bazzani and despite having Davide Baiocco sent off on the hour and defender Sean Sogliano dismissed two minutes from the end, Perugia held on for a point.
Bottom club Venezia defeated fellow strugglers Fiorentina 2-0 thanks to goals from Federico Magallanes and Filippo Maniero.
Brescia coach Carlo Mazzone received an angry reception from Atalanta fans after his criticism of them earlier in the season, but the Lombardy derby ended goalless.
Piacenza's veteran striker Dario Hubner claimed his 15th goal of the season to put Piacenza ahead at Torino but Marco Ferrante earned the home side a point.
