Italy round-up: Vieri spot on for Inter

Christian Vieri's late penalty may have salvaged a draw for Internazionale FC at Brescia Calcio - but it could not save his coach's job as Héctor Cúper's sacking took centre stage in Serie A at the weekend.

Points dropped
Inter dismissed Cúper, whose replacement Alberto Zaccheroni will take charge in midweek, after the side dropped two more Serie A points at the Mario Rigamonti - but they almost left empty-handed.

Inspirational Baggio
Brescia striker Roberto Baggio opened the scoring against one of his former clubs midway through the first half, tapping into an empty net after Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo had failed to deal with a header back from defender Jérémie Bréchet. Baggio was again involved as the home side went further in front, the former Italian international crossing for Andrea Caracciolo to head into the net four minutes after half-time.

Late penalty
Argentinian striker Julio Cruz met an Alvaro Recoba free-kick with a diving header on 62 minutes to halve the deficit and the substitute was also involved in the late penalty, Dario Dainelli fouling him in the 87th minute to concede the crucial spot-kick.

Miccoli double
The other Saturday game saw Juventus FC stay top thanks to their fifth win in six games - a 3-2 triumph away against Ancona Calcio. Two goals from Fabrizio Miccoli either side of Gianluca Zambrotta's well-struck effort put the leaders 3-0 up in the top-against-bottom encounter - but Ancona threatened a comeback.

Juve wobble
Substitute Maurizio Ganz's corner was headed home by William Viali in the 57th minute and then former AC Milan and Inter forward Ganz struck the post. Dario Hubner had a goal disallowed for offside before Ganz pulled another goal back in added time.

Roma in touch
AS Roma kept in touch with Juve by defeating Parma AC 2-0 on Sunday thanks to goals from Walter Samuel and Antonio Cassano. Samuel opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a left-foot finish after Daniele De Rossi's skilful run and cross from the left flank. Cassano doubled the lead on the hour with a back-post header.
 
Late game
It was Parma's first defeat of the season and the three points moved Roma into third place on 14 points, two behind Marcello Lippi's side. A solitary 37th-minute goal from Andrea Pirlo was enough for Milan to beat S.S. Lazio and enable the European Champions to climb level with Juve at the top.

Pirlo strikes
Dejan Stankovic had a goal disallowed for offside before Pirlo, who recently signed a new contract with Carlo Ancelotti's side, pounced following a blocked effort from Filippo Inzaghi. A lively second half brough no further goals, although Andriy Shevchenko hit the post for Milan two minutes from time.

Udinese joy
Udinese Calcio bounced back from their midweek UEFA Cup exit at the hands of SV Austria Salzburg with a comfortable 2-0 win against Empoli FC. First-half strikes from Nestor Sensini and Vincenzo Iaquinta did the damage.

Zero to hero
Bologna FC striker Fausto Rossini made up for his 48th-minute own goal with a smart back-heel at the other end to rescue a share of the spoils at home against AC Perugia. Jay Bothroyd had nudged the visitors further ahead before Samuele Dalla Bona put Bologna on the comeback trail.

Useful point
In Sunday's other games, Sampdoria UC picked up a useful point at AC Chievo Verona after midfield player Aimo Diana cancelled out Amauri's 24th-minute opener. There were also home wins for Modena FC - 2-0 against US Lecce - and Reggina Calcio, who beat ten-man AC Siena 2-1 at the Oreste Granillo.