Milan, March 3 (IANS) Juventus extended their lead at the top of Italian Serie A football league to 11 points after they won 2-0 away against AC Milan.
Milan dominated the first half, but their poor finish ruined all their efforts in Sunday’s match, reports Xinhua.
They were made to pay for inefficiency, as in the 44th minute when Carlos Tevez and Stephan Lichtsteiner combined on the right and the latter crossed low into the six-yard box where Llorente was on hand to slot home.
Tevez sealed the win for the visitors in the 68th minute when sent the ball flying into the roof of the net from 30 yards.
With the win, Juventus are now 11 points clear of second-placed Roma, while Milan dropped to the 10th in the table, five points outside the European places.
AC Milan head coach Clarence Seedorf insisted that he was happy with his side’s performance despite their defeat.
“I’d say it was a very good performance. We knew that we were facing a great side, but we imposed our tempo on the game and eliminated their strengths as much as possible,” Seedorf said.
“Juve were able to sit back even more in the second half after taking the lead, but I am impressed with the growth of the team,” he said.
Napoli were held to an 1-1 draw at Livorno where Jose Reina’s bizarre own goal cost Napoli an important win.
Dries Mertens put the visitors ahead in the 32nd minute after converting a penalty, then seven minutes later came the horror moment for Reina as he fumbled the ball into his own net from Ibrahima Mbaye’s tame effort.
The draw left Napoli head coach Rafa Benitez apparently irritated, as he expected a win.
“In the first half the team controlled the game and we should have made more of our domination. It was a game we should have won and there are regrets,” he said.
“I am disappointed, with everyone,” he added.
Lazio claimed their second straight victory when they won 1-0 at Fiorentina.
Lorik Cana scored the winner at the fifth minute to claim all three points for Lazio.
Bologna missed a penalty and had a man sent off as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Hellas Verona.
Parma beat Sassuolo 1-0 to move back into the top six, while Cagliari picked up a crucial three points to move level with Udinese thanks to a 3-0 win over Francesco Guidolin’s men.
Catania were left in relegation danger after they lost to Genoa 2-0.
Another relegation-threatened team Chievo lost 2-1 at Atalanta. And Sampdoria pulled off an inspiring 2-0 win at Torino.
