Lazio and Milan held, Inter triumph

S.S. Lazio and AC Milan occupy first and second place in Serie A respectively following goalless draws with SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina, but Udinese Calcio can move two points clear at the top with a win against Parma FC on Sunday.

Lazio, a point clear of Milan, will be content with a point after surviving a number of close calls against a side inspired by Ezequiel Lavezzi. The Argentinian international was denied three times by Federico Marchetti as the Biancocelesti struggled to contend with a team at full strength, despite Tuesday's crucial UEFA Champions League encounter with Manchester City FC.

The Rossoneri – themselves facing FC Barcelona on Wednesday – had the better of their encounter with a Viola side playing under coach Delio Rossi for the first time, but could only hit the post through Pato, who marked his return from a two-month injury absence.

FC Internazionale Milano will travel to Trabzonspor AŞ in good heart on Tuesday after holding on for their third league win of the season, against Cagliari Calcio. Goals from Thiago Motta (54) and Coutinho (60) earned a 2-1 win that takes the Nerazzurri, who conceded Joaquín Larrivey's late strike (88), up to 16th place.