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Inter blank Chievo 2-0, tie European win record

Atalanta and SS Lazio play in a deserted Atleti azzurri d'Italia stadium during their Italian Serie A match on Sunday. PHOTO: EPA

Inter Milan won its 15th straight game in the Serie A on Sunday, beating Chievo Verona 2-0, and Brazil striker Ronaldo made his debut in AC Milan's win.

The Serie A resumed on Sunday, more than a week after all soccer in Italy was suspended for fan violence.

Adriano put Inter ahead in the first minute with a strike from the left edge of the penalty box and Hernan Crespo added the second in the 51st.

The game at Marc Antonio Bentegodi stadium was one of four Serie A matches played behind closed doors for failing to meet new security standards, which were approved by the government after the death of a policeman in rioting at the match between Catania and Palermo on Feb. 2.

The safety requirements include having closed circuit TV cameras and turnstiles at the entrances.

"Playing like that without the public is senseless," Inter coach Roberto Mancini said. "It would be better to assign the championship to whoever is first and restart when things are sorted out."

Ronaldo, wearing No. 99, replaced Oliveira in the 63rd minute for his first appearance for Milan since joining from Real Madrid last week. Milan beat Livorno 2-1.

Inter leads the league with 60 points, 11 more than second-place AS Roma, which beat relegation-threatened Parma 3-0. Palermo, which lost to fourth-place Empoli 1-0, is third with 42 points.

Inter's result at Chievo tied the European record for consecutive victories held by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Madrid won 15 in La Liga in the 1960-1961 season and Bayern won its last nine Bundesliga games of 2004-2005 and its first six of 2005-2006.

"Today's game could have presented a few problems because of the break," Mancini said. "Adriano did very well to score a nice goal in the first minute ... although we found it a bit hard in the first half. However, after the second goal, everything was easier.

At San Siro, which was open to Rossoneri season ticket holders only, Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso scored in the 29th from close range for Milan's first goal. But Livorno captain Cristiano Lucarelli equalized two minutes later, after three excellent saves by goalkeeper Marco Storari, who also made his Rossoneri debut.

Left back Marek Jankulowski scored the winner with a hard drive, five minutes after the 30-year-old Ronaldo entered the game.

Ronaldo looked lively and had three goal attempts in the final 10 minutes. The first was saved by Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia and the other two were off target.

"It wasn't easy to arrive and play straight away," Ronaldo said. "But it went very well today and I felt good."
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