The Inzaghi brothers helped Lazio and AC Milan earn a perfect two-win start in the Serie A Saturday.
Simone Inzaghi scored early and veteran Demetrio Albertini converted a second-half penalty to give Lazio a 2-1 victory at Sampdoria.
Filippo "Pippo" Inzaghi, Simone's elder brother, netted a late game winner for AC Milan as the European champion struggled to a 2-1 home win against Bologna at San Siro.
Ukrainian star forward Andriy Shevchenko headed in the opening goal for the Milan team, which got its second from Inzaghi only in the 85th.
It was Shevchenko's third goal in two league matches while Inzaghi's goal added to the hat-trick at San Siro last week in an European qualifier against Wales.
On Sunday, defending champion Juventus, AS Roma and Inter Milan have a chance to tie Lazio and AC Milan at six points.
La Juve, the defending league champion, is at Chievo, AS Roma plays host to Brescia and Inter Milan is at Serie A newcomer Siena.
At Marassi Stadium in Genoa, La Samp squandered a chance to even Simone Inzaghi's opening goal when Cristiano Doni kicked a penalty slowly and goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi saved it in the 16th minute.
It was a bittersweet return to Marassi for Roberto Mancini, Lazio's coach, who was a star-forward for Sampdoria for 15 years.
Sampdoria supporters gave Mancini a standing ovation before the kickoff.
Mancini did not exult when his players netted the two goals that contributed to a 4-1 victory in the season opener against Lecce two weeks ago.
The Serie A did not play the previous weekend because of Euro 2004 qualifying.
"I am pleased with the victory of my team, but also sorry for La Samp defeat," Mancini said. "You can't cancel 15 years all of a sudden. However, now I must look ahead to think of Lazio. We suffered a lot in the second half."
Inzaghi gave Lazio a 1-0 lead kicking in from a few meters as he was fed by Dejan Stankovic's header after eight minutes.
Albertini, who joined Lazio in the offseason, converted a 64th-minute penalty after Bernardo Corradi, fielded as a substitute seconds before, was fouled by Maurizio Domizzi deep in the area.
A powerful header by Fabio Bazzani gave Sampdoria its only goal in the 73rd.
The home team fielded Japan's Atsushi Yanagisawa and Francesco Flachi to strengthen the offense in the closing minutes, but Lazio's defense, masterminded by Jaap Stam, did not allow clear opportunities for the equalizer.
La Samp was left with one point in the standings as was Bologna, which had hoped to escape with a draw at San Siro -- until Inzaghi ended the suffering of coach Carlo Ancelotti and the nearly 60,000 fans.
AC Milan was without its Brazilian stars Kaka and Rivaldo.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely