AS Roma plunged further into crisis after suffering a 1-0 defeat at Siena on Sunday and having both their center-backs dismissed. Luciano Spalletti’s team had already had a poor start to the season before this, their third defeat in as many away games that leaves them in the bottom half and with just seven points from six games. They are already six points off city-rivals Lazio and champions Inter at the top.
Liechtenstein forward Mario Frick scored the winner in first half stoppage time, as he reached Massimo Maccarone’s cross just ahead of France defender Philippe Mexes. Any hopes Roma had of salvaging something from the game disappeared after the break as first Mexes, and then Cristian Panucci, received their marching orders.
Juventus are not going much better as they lost 2-1 at home to Palermo while finishing with 10 men.
PHOTO: AP
Fabrizio Miccoli gave the Sicilians the lead in the first half, reacting quickest to prod the ball home after Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon spilled a cross from Edison Cavani. Italy veteran Alessandro Del Piero restored parity with a sumptuous free-kick, but on the stroke of halftime Mali midfielder Momo Sissoko was shown a second yellow card. Georgian forward Levan Mchedlidze then hit the winner nine minutes from time.
AC Milan also suffered a disappointing result, drawing 0-0 at rock bottom Cagliari, who picked up their first point of the season.
Udinese are joint top with Lazio, who were held 1-1 at home by Lecce on Saturday, and Inter, 2-1 winners over Bologna on Saturday, after the northerners beat Torino 2-0.
Atalanta are up to fifth after a 4-2 win over nine-man Sampdoria, while Genoa held on to beat Napoli 3-2, Alberto Gilardino continued his rich goal-scoring form since his move from AC Milan as he bagged the second in Fiorentina’s 2-0 win at newly-promoted Chievo.
Italian Serie A
Team P GD PTS
1 Lazio 6 7 13
2 Udinese 6 7 13
3 Inter 6 4 13
4 Palermo 6 2 12
5 Atalanta6 2 12
6 Napoli 6 2 11
7 Catania 6 2 11
8 AC Milan6 2 10
9 Fiorentina6 0 10
10 Genoa 6 2 9
11 Juventus6 1 9
12 Siena 6 1 8
13 Lecce 6 0 8
14 Roma 6 0 7
15 Torino 6 -3 5
16 Chievo 6 -4 5
17 Sampdoria6 -4 4
18 Bologna 6 -6 3
19 Reggina 6 -6 2
20 Cagliari6 -9 1
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