Udinese top as Ronaldinho sparks Milan closer to leaders

Udinese headed an unlikely looking Serie A table on Sunday after coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Lecce while Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho scored twice to maintain AC Milan's revival.

Udinese are top by goal difference on 14 points ahead of Catania, 2-0 winners in the Sicilian derby against Palermo, and Napoli, who beat Juventus 2-1 on Saturday.

Champions Inter Milan could take over at the head of the pile if they win at AS Roma in Sunday's late match.

Milan's resurgence continued with Ronaldinho the hero in a highly controversial 3-0 victory over 10-man Sampdoria that leaves the former European champions only one point off top.

But the plaudits go to Udinese who started the day as one of seven teams who could have ended it in first place in the scudetto.

Udinese coach Pasquale Marino paid tribute to his team for their comeback.

“I have to say we did really well to react (at 2-0 down) and also once we were level we didn't settle for the draw but kept pushing for the victory right up until the end,” he said.

Things seemed to be going all wrong for them as they conceded two woeful goals.

A comedy of errors from a defender and goalkeeper Samir Handanovic gifted Simone Tiribocchi an open goal in which to give the hosts a 32nd minute lead.

Maurizio Domizzi then put through his own net after the break to leave Udinese with a mountain to climb.

But Chilean substitute Alexis Sanchez scored his first goal for Udinese to start the comeback, tapping home from close range after a delightful pass from Antonio Floro Flores.

Then Gaetano D'Agostino levelled matters with 19 minutes left to send Udinese top.

Catania are second after their win, which was greatly aided by the sending off of Morris Carrozzieri for a second yellow card at the end of the first half.

Jorge Martinez rose highest in a crowded box to head home a left-wing cross from substitute Cristian Llama on 69 minutes.

And Giuseppe Mascara sealed the victory late on from the spot after Giulio Migliaccio was penalised for a handball in the box.

“We'd like to end the championship now,” joked Catania coach Walter Zenga, a former Italy goalkeeper.

“Our aim, though, remains to reach 40 points (the theoretical bar to avoid relegation), once we have that we'll feel better.”

Milan cruised to victory at home to winless Sampdoria, but only after a terrible refereeing decision handed them a penalty and a man advantage early in the second period.

Slovakian full-back Marek Jankulovski smashed a shot from point blank range into Stefano Lucchini, striking the defender on the forearm.

But the referee awarded a penalty and gave the helpless Lucchini a second yellow card.

Ronaldinho converted the penalty and then sealed the three points midway through the half by taking a pass from compatriot Kaka in his stride and finishing low into the corner.

Veteran Italy forward Filippo Inzaghi, making his comeback from injury off the bench, added a third on the stroke of full time.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted the red card had changed the course of the match.

“The 3-0 was a result of Sampdoria having a man less which allowed us more space on the pitch once they had been reduced to 10 men,” he said.

It was AC Milan's fifth match without defeat, including four wins, and leaves them amongst a posse of five teams just a point off top.

Another of those is Lazio who lost the Serie A lead after a dreadful 3-1 defeat at lowly Bologna.

The capital-based team were 3-0 down after just 26 minutes as Sergio Volpi scored a fifth minute free-kick and then former Italy striker Marco Di Vaio added a brace, the second a sumptuous control, turn and finsh.

Returning Lazio captain Tommaso Rocchi scored Lazio's consolation after joining the fray after the break.

At the bottom Cagliari won for the first time this season as Robert Acquafresca's late goal secured a 1-0 win at Torino.