Roma - AC Milan Sunday continued their recovery from a dull period thanks to goals from Brazilians Thiago Motta and Pato in a 2-1 win at troubled Lazio. The Devils moved to third place in the Serie A, but remain six points behind cross-town leaders Inter Milan, on 28 points before a late home game to struggling giants Roma.
Juventus are second, on 24 points from 12 games, after a 5-2 drubbing of lowly Atalanta on Saturday.
Pouring rain with spells of hail marred the game at Rome's Stadio Olimpico where the home fans saw Lazio suffer a fifth defeat in a 10-game winless run that left them just two points above the drop zone.
The fast Argentine Mauro Zarate was Lazio's most inspired player, but only produced a couple of spurts that didn't worry Brazilian goalkeeper Dida.
Milan dithered upfront with few chances for Marco Borriello and Pato, but compatriot defender Thiago Silva put the Devils ahead on 21 minutes, nodding home undisturbed a swerving free kick from Andrea Pirlo.
Lazio's defence troubles were evident again on 35 minutes as Pato headed home off a cross that his countryman Ronaldinho curled in from the left flank.
After the break, Argentine striker Julio Cruz joined Zarate and Tommaso Rocchi up front to support the efforts of Lazio, who pulled one back on 64 minutes after Milan squandered a good number of chances to seal their win.
Zarate's fast drive met the deflection of two defenders with the last flick from Thiago Silva leaving no chances for Dida.
Helpless on the own goal, the Milan custodian had some trouble when Zarate fired home two minutes later and was graced later as Rocchi nodded wide, while Lazio's Uruguayan Fernando Muslera saved a great volley from French substitute Mathieu Flamini.
Sampdoria had Lithuanian midfielder Marius Stankevicius dismissed on 45 minutes as they slipped to fourth after a 2-0 defeat at Cagliari.
Level with Samp are Fiorentina after snatching a late 1-0 win at Udinese through a free kick from Peruvian Juan Vargas.
Argentine Hernan Crespo scored a brace for Genoa in a 4-2 win over bottom-side Siena and Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta also hit twice as Bologna beat Palermo 3-1.
Newcomers Parma won 2-0 against Chievo, Bari beat Livorno 1-0 and Napoli and Catania drew 0-0 on Saturday.
