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Del Piero inspires Juventus again, AC Milan lose
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-16 10:23
ROME, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Alessandro Del Piero maintained his record-breaking
form when he struck the winner in Juventus's laboured 1-0 win over Reggina in
Serie A on Sunday.
The striker, who hit a hat-trick in midweek against
Italian Cup rivals Fiorentina to surpass Giampiero Boniperti as the club's
all-time top scorer, netted just before halftime to maintain Juve's 100 percent
record at home.
The result gave leaders Juventus 52 points from 19 matches, 10 points ahead
of second-placed Inter Milan, who edged out Cagliari 3-2.
AC Milan slipped back one place to third on 40 points after losing 1-0 to AS
Roma in the Italian capital.
Fiorentina remained fourth, also on 40 points, after the division's leading
scorer Luca Toni broke his recent goal drought to hit the target twice,
including a stoppage-time winner, in a 2-1 victory over Chievo Verona.
Reggina had taken just three points in their previous eight away games and
were expected to offer little resistance to the Italian champions.
Juve started brightly with David Trezeguet volleying against the post, but
Reggina's confidence grew as Carlos Paredes and Giacomo Tedesco flashed shots
narrowly wide of Gianluigi Buffon's goal.
In the end it was 31-year-old Del Piero who came to Juve's rescue.
The Italy international ran on to Trezeguet's chip and lashed the ball past
keeper Nicola Pavarini to take his tally for the club to 186.
In the second half, Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed a great chance to extend Juve's
lead when he scuffed the ball wide from close range.
ADRIANO BRACE
Inter Milan endured a similarly nervy afternoon at the San Siro stadium.
Roberto Mancini's team failed to score in either of their matches this year
against Siena and Parma but seemed well in control as they went 2-0 up in the
opening 15 minutes against Cagliari.
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