Ibra acrobatics keep Milan on top
Reuters - Saturday 20 November 2010, 22:20
MILAN - AC Milan strengthened their grip
on top spot in Serie A thanks to a 1-0 win over Fiorentina on
Saturday with Ronaldinho again on the bench.
Ace striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic acrobatically converted a
cross into the box on the stroke of half-time at a rainy San Siro
to give the Rossoneri a four-point lead pending second-placed
Lazio's visit to Parma on Sunday.
GEAR: Kitbag's Christmas Shop now open. Save 10% on shirts, boots, balls & equipment
Ronaldinho was kept on the bench for last weekend's derby
win over Inter for tactical reasons but the Brazilian remained
in the dugout again against Fiorentina following news he had
left a bar after 2am on Thursday.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, fast winning plaudits from
pundits who thought the ex-Cagliari boss was too green for such
a big job, said Ronaldinho's behaviour did not befit an athlete.
Even with Filippo Inzaghi out for the season and fellow
forward Alexandre Pato also injured, Ronaldinho was only called
upon with four minutes left given Ibrahimovic's immense form.
Milan furiously appealed for two handballs in the box as the
sought a killer second goal and nerves showed at the end when
the visitors pushed hard for a leveller.
Fiorentina's Per Kroldrup was sent off for swearing.
Serie A leaders Milan visit Auxerre on Tuesday looking to
secure their Champions League last 16 berth.
AS Roma earlier beat Udinese 2-0 with two superb strikes to
boost their confidence ahead of their crunch Champions League
clash with Bayern Munich.
Last term's Serie A runners-up, who had a poor start to the
season, powered up into third spot.
In-form Udinese began the brighter but Jeremy Menez reversed
the flow when he danced past two defenders before firing home.
On-loan AC Milan forward Marco Borriello turned with aplomb
to make it 2-0 after the break before team-mate Nicolas Burdisso
was dismissed following a tussle and visitors Udinese had a late
German Denis effort ruled out for offside.