Udinese top Serie A as Milan held by Bologna
Submitted by Keval Sharma on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 09:07.
Rome, Dec 12 - Udinese climbed to the top of Italian Serie A after they beat Chievo 2-1 at home, while AC Milan were held to a 2-2 draw at Bologna.
Antonio Di Natale, the talisman for the Udinese team, set up the victory for his team as he scored his 10th goal of the season midway through the second half and Dusan Basta doubled their lead 10 minutes from time.
Alberto Paloschi scored a consolation for Chievo in the 83rd minute, but Francesco Guidolin's side held on to move a point ahead of Juventus, who have a game in hand, at the top of the table, Xinhua reported.
Udinese head coach Francesco Guidolin was ecstatic about the win and wanted the dream run to carry on.
"It's a magic moment that keeps on going, we hope for as long as possible," he said.
"We must experience what is happening right now with joy and a calm state of mind. It's wonderful looking at the table and it's an extraordinary period for us. Now we have to see how long it lasts," he said.
A controversial game at Bologna denied AC Milan the opportunity to join Udinese at the summit.
Marco Di Vaio put the hosts in front but an equalizer from veteran Clarence Seedorf and a Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty looked to have turned the game around.
But Alessandro Diamanti levelled just two minutes later as Milan dropped two points behind new league leaders Udinese.
AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri hit out at the referee Gianluca Rocchi who made numerous dubious decisions during the 2-2 draw, including penalty appeals from both sides after the game.
"Looking back at the footage, Clarence Seedorf did seem to handle the ball in the box, but towards the end there was an identical handball not awarded for us," Allegri said.
"As for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, I think he dived to earn the penalty. In any case, the referee got it wrong for both teams," he said.
Ten-man Catania held on for a 1-1 draw at Atalanta. Nicola Legrottaglie put the visitors ahead in the 18th minute but defender Nicola Spolli picked up his second yellow card and was sent off before half-time, leaving his side with an uphill task in the second.
Atalanta substitute Simone Tiribocchi equalized in the 70th minute to make the most of the numerical advantage, although the hosts pressed forward, Catania held on for a draw. The result has left Catania in ninth place, two points clear of Atalanta.
Cagliari and Parma shared the spoils in a 0-0 stalemate at the Stadio Sant' Elia.(IANS)
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