Inconsistent Milan held by Catania
Reuters - Saturday 18 September 2010, 21:25
MILAN, Sept 18 (Reuters) - AC Milan huffed and puffed but
were held to a 1-1 home draw by a confident Catania on Saturday
as their patchy early season form continued.
Ciro Capuano gave the visitors the lead with a cracking long
range shot midway through the first half and the Sicilians could
easily have doubled their advantage by the break.
Instead 37-year-old striker Filippo Inzaghi, playing because
of injuries to Brazilians Alexandre Pato and Robinho, levelled
the scores on the stroke of halftime after Ronaldinho's splendid
assist.
"It's always difficult to play against so many defenders,"
Ronaldinho told Sky TV.
"We've wasted an opportunity and it's two points lost but if
we carry on like this we'll soon succeed even if at the moment
things aren't going our way."
Milan, third last term and without a scudetto since 2004,
beat Lecce 4-0 in their season opener under new boss
Massimiliano Allegri but have since stuttered.
They lost 2-0 at promoted Cesena last weekend before
struggling to beat Auxerre 2-0 at the San Siro in their first
Champions League group game on Wednesday.
BOATENG EXCELLED
New forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored both goals
against the French outfit despite not playing well, had another
inconsistent display on Saturday but midfielder Kevin Prince
Boateng again excelled.
Serial strugglers Catania have four points from three
matches like Milan.
Earlier Fiorentina's dreadful start to the season dragged on
with a 2-1 home defeat to Lazio which left Sinisa Mihajlovic's
men with just one point from their three games.
Adem Ljajic put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot on 19
minutes before Cristian Ledesma struck back just after the half
hour and Libor Kozak netted the second-half winner when
Sebastien Frey could only parry a Hernanes shot.
The Florence club, who reached the knockout stages of the
Champions League last term, lost coach Cesare Prandelli to Italy
in the close season and failed to significantly strengthen in
the transfer window.
Lazio, relegation candidates last term and beloved former
club of Fiorentina coach Mihajlovic, have six points.
Champions Inter Milan visit Palermo without the injured
Wesley Sneijder in the pick of Sunday's main programme of games.