Milan earn vital league boost

AC Milan got a much-needed victory in Serie A, coming from behind to defeat Cagliari Calcio for only their fourth win of the season as Juventus emphatically brushed aside US Città di Palermo to go third in the standings.

Pirlo winner
European champions Milan, who started the day in eleventh, have endured a disappointing campaign and it seemed as though it was going to get worse when Robert Acquafresca gave Cagliari the lead after just four minutes. The visitors managed to claw their way back, however, and after Kaká had seen a penalty saved and fit-again Ronaldo hit the post, Alberto Gilardino equalised just after the hour. Andrea Pirlo then snatched a winner with a stunning free-kick five minutes from time. The win moved Milan up to ninth and sent Cagliari bottom.

Juventus impress
The Rossoneri remain eleven points adrift of leaders and city rivals FC Internazionale Milano, however, and eight behind Juventus and Udinese Calcio, who both leapfrogged ACF Fiorentina to move into third and fourth respectively. While Fiorentina were held to a 0-0 draw at Reggina Calcio, Juventus registered a 5-0 win against US Città di Palermo in Turin, Alessandro Del Piero scoring twice added to strikes by David Trezeguet, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Marco Marchionni. Udinese, meanwhile, enjoyed a 2-0 success against Siena – Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Di Natale getting the goals.

Lazio drama
Elsewhere, a last-minute Fabio Firmani goal helped struggling S.S. Lazio to a 1-0 home victory against Parma FC and AS Livorno Calcio picked up a vital three points with a 3-1 win against UC Sampdoria. Two Marcelo Zalayeta strikes helped SSC Napoli to a 2-0 success against Calcio Catania and the match between Empoli FC and Torino FC ended goalless.