Del Piero penalty keeps Juventus in title race

April 8, 2001
Daily Soccer

MILAN - Juventus returned to their winning ways after an Alessandro Del Piero penalty gave them a 1-0 win at Verona in Serie A on Sunday. The win moved second-placed Juve six points behind leaders AS Roma, who face Fiorentina on Monday.

Atalanta boosted their hopes of claiming a Champions League slot for next season with a 2-0 win at Lecce, wich leaves them level on points with fourth-placed Parma.

But AC and Inter Milan's hopes of playing in Europe's premier club competition suffered blows as Milan were held to a 0-0 draw by 10-man Napoli and Inter needed a last-minute equaliser from Alvaro Recoba to scrape a 1-1 draw at home to lowly Vicenza.

At the foot of the table Brescia moved out of the relegation zone after Roberto Baggio inspired them to a 4-0 victory over fellow-strugglers Reggina.

Juve, without 'flu-hit French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, struggled to break down Verona throughout the first half but grabbed the winner on the stroke of halftime.

Filippo Inzaghi raced on to a long clearance from Juve 'keeper Edwin Van der Sar and was pushed over by Verona defender Luigi Apolloni.

Del Piero, playing in an unfamiliar midfield role, coolly slotted home the penalty, while Verona had Apolloni sent off in the 69th minute off for a second bookable offence -- another foul on Inzaghi.

ANCELOTTI DELIGHTED
After a defeat to Lazio and home draw with Brescia in their last two games Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti was delighted to secure the three points.

"We wanted this win badly and we gave everything for this victory," said Ancelotti. "We still believe in this championship and coming after two negative results this was a very important win for us".

Atalanta's fourth win in a row came thanks to second-half goals from Nicola Ventola and Domenico Morfeo at Lecce. Giovanni Vavassori's side are now level on 40 points with Parma, whose game against Lazio on Saturday was postponed.

Atalanta now face Parma on Saturday in a game which could go a long way to determining whether the Bergamo side are to enter the Champions League for the first time in their history. Inter's mini-revival ended with a poor performance against improving Vicenza.

Sierra Leone striker Mohammed Kallon, on a one season loan from Inter put Vicenza ahead in the 30th minute -- slotting home from close range after a neat lay-off from Luca Toni.

Recoba denied Vicenza a famous win by striking in the final seconds with a low free-kick which deflected in off the wall.

AC Milan had their chances to pick up full points in Naples after Napoli defender Salvatore Fresi was sent off in the 42nd minute for felling a goal-bound Andriy Shevchenko.

BAGGIO'S FORM
Baggio confirmed his return to form, setting up Antonio Filippini for the opener in the 33rd minute and then providing the cross or Fabio Petruzzi's 48th minute diving header.

Reggina had defender Massimo Marazzina sent off in the 68th minute and five minutes later Baggio made it 3-0 with a 73rd minute penalty after Aimo Diana was brought down by Reggina 'keeper Massimo Taibi. Albanian Igli Tare added Brescia's fourth with an injury-time header.

Bologna fought back from 2-1 down to beat Perugia 3-2, with former Perugia midfielder Renato Olive grabbing the winner in the 77th minute.

Bari remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a 2-0 defeat at Udinese.
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