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LEGA CALCIO: Milan draw as Beckham makes debut

Brazilian teenager Pato and Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic stole the limelight as David Beckham made his Serie A debut in AC Milan旧 2-2 draw at AS Roma旧 Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night.

Pato scored an early second half brace following Vucinic旧 first half opener for the hosts, but the Montenegran had the last word with a timely equalizer to deny Beckham a winning start to life in Italy.

Milan stay third, nine points off the top, while Roma remain in the bottom half of the table.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti sprung a surprise by selecting Beckham in his starting line-up.

The former England captain took a little time to settle before gradually coming into the game and becoming increasingly involved.

His first opportunity to shine could have come on five minutes after Milan won a free-kick in a dangerous position, but Ronaldinho pulled rank and crashed his effort into the wall.

Thereafter, Beckham showed his full range of abilities, playing one raking ball down the line to Kaka, while showing his defensive skills in making a brilliant sprawling block on a John Arne Riise shot.

He also sent many dangerous crosses in from the right.

戦 decided to start with Beckham because he had demonstrated over the last few days that he was intelligent, serious and committed. This was his reward for settling in so quickly,� Ancelotti said. 戦 will never tire of pointing out that he is an exemplary professional who works hard.�

Roma were battling to get back into Champions League contention after a torrid start to their season and on 22 minutes Vucinic broke the deadlock, latching onto a cross from Riise, turning Marek Jankulovski far too easily on the edge of the six-yard box and slotting home past Christian Abbiati.

In the first minute of the second half Roma captain Daniele De Rossi made space just outside the box, but shot well over.

And just two minutes later the hosts were made to pay as Philippe Mexes was pulled out of position and Kaka crossed for Pato to tap home.

And Pato scored an exquisite second on 53 minutes when Ronaldinho released him down the left and the teenager outstripped Mexes and then chipped Doni.

However, Roma hit back 19 minutes from time as Vucinic bagged his second with a diving header after Matteo Brighi旧 shot was deflected into his path.

Beckham, obviously tiring, was substituted two minutes from time.

Earlier in the day, Alessandro Del Piero scored a stunning free-kick to hand second-placed Juventus a 1-0 home win over Siena and close the gap at the top behind Inter to four points.

Inter had left the door open with a surprise 1-1 home draw against Cagliari on Saturday and Del Piero旧 sixth goal of the season direct from a free-kick allowed the Old Lady to take full advantage.

Juve coach Claudio Ranieri admitted his side were lucky to win and paid tribute to his veteran forward.

争iena didn急 deserve to lose, but we are lucky to have our captain Del Piero, who once again scored a stunning free-kick,� Ranieri said. 斉ut we still have a lot of work to do, we are not and we will not be the same team as in 2008.�

Despite his advancing years, the 34-year-old Del Piero seems to be getting better and better.

This was his seventh league goal of the season and the 12th in all competitions, but most remarkable has been his free-kick record.

Previous successful dead-ball strikes helped Juve beat Real Madrid home and away in the Champions League, while another downed Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 in Turin.

In the league he has been equally deadly, previously hitting the back of the net against Palermo and Chievo.

His 33rd minute strike was the only noteworthy moment in the first half, though, after fellow veteran Pavel Nedved was brought down by his Czech compatriot Lukas Jarolim.

After the restart, Brazilian forward Amauri should have doubled the lead with a header, while Del Piero sent a shot into the side-netting.

Frenchman Abdelkader Gezzal had two late chances for Siena, but was denied first by former Siena goalkeeper Alex Manninger and then by a flailing defender旧 body.

In other games, 10-man Fiorentina missed the chance to go third as they fell 2-1 at home to lowly Lecce, who climbed out of the relegation zone.

Lazio stayed in Champions League contention as Macedonia forward Goran Pandev scored a hat-trick in a thrilling 3-2 win at Reggina.

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