Milan - Serie A newcomers Chievo Tuesday announced the signing of coach Domenico Di Carlo to replace Beppe Iachini after 10 league games.

Milan - AC Milan have reacted with a mix of surprise and pride to their rise to the top of the Italian Serie A, a place they last occupied more than four years ago.

Their start to the season was a nightmare with two defeats, at home to promoted Bologna and at Genoa, but the following seven wins and one draw have now pushed them to the top on a 22-point tally from 10 games.

A lucky 1-0 win over Napoli, who were down to 10 men and hurt themselves with an own goal, allowed the Devils to leap ahead of Udinese, Napoli, and, probably msot important, champions Inter Milan.

Milan - A 2-0 win over struggling giants Roma late Saturday pushed Juventus within three points of leaders Inter Milan in the Italian Serie A, and worsened the crisis of the Rome guests holding them dangerously close to the lower reaches.

Juve have now 18 points from 10 games, while Roma were held on seven, just two more than tail-enders Reggina, but with a game in hand.

Milan - AC Milan and lawyers for David Beckham were set to begin negotiations Thursday for the loan of the English star to the Serie A powerhouse.

The ANSA news agency quoted Milan vice president Adriano Galliani as saying that representatives of the 33-year-old midfielder advanced the date of a meeting originally scheduled for next week.

"We are kicking off the negotiation," Galliani said. "I don't know if it will have a positive ending or not, but I hope it will."

Milan - Napoli are set to show no respect for giants AC Milan when they visit them late Sunday looking to retain the top spot in a surprising Serie A season.

The leading duo of Napoli and Udinese, who boast a better goal difference, have 20 points from nine games after convincing wins against Reggina and Catania in a midweek round, with Milan trailing on 19.

Champions Inter Milan welcome bottom side Reggina Saturday, but have been the least convincing among the top teams as two consecutive scoreless draw saw them lose a top spot they grew accustomed to in the past two seasons.

Milan - Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho did not hide his bitterness after his side's dull performance against Genoa and threatened major changes Wednesday when the champions visit Fiorentina for a big mid-week tie.

A scoreless home draw against Genoa cost Inter the league lead with Udinese now on top on 17 points, ahead on goal difference over Inter and Napoli.

"The coach is always responsible, but the players must do what I say," Mourinho said.

"In the second half this did not always happen. Evidently, some players don't know me well enough. Maybe they'll begin to learn when I name the line-up on Tuesday."