INTER WIN MARRED BY RONALDO INJURY
The supremely gifted Brazilian was making his first Serie A start in two years, but he was forced out of the game after 17 minutes with a thigh injury.
It was always likely to be a long road to fitness from a serious knee injury for Ronaldo, but niggling problems are sure to frustrate the former World Footballer of the Year.
Ronaldo eased any worries about his future, commenting after the game: "I have to repeat what I have done for the last month, however after the this break everything will be okay because this injury is less serious than the one in Brasov."
Inter brushed off the setback to collect all three points and move onto the heals of leaders Chievo.
Goals by Mohammed Kallon and Luigi di Biaggio, each assisted by the accurate left foot of Vratislav Gresko, moved Inter within two points of Chievo.
Lazio shrugged off their midweek Champions League exit to run out 5-0 winners over Brescia.
A hat-trick from Hernan Crespo was the highlight of the game, but Simone Inzaghi and Dejan Stankovic are sure to be happy with their contributions as they each got on the scoresheet.
Champions Roma were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Atalanta, despite taking the lead through Ascuncao. Cristiano Doni grabbed a point for the Serie A strugglers with a late penalty.
Juventus are developing an unhealthy habit of drawing games, and they had to settle for a point from their trip to Verona.
Juve, though, will feel somewhat relieved after finding themselves 2-0 down after an hour, with Leonardo Colucci and Mauro Camoranesi placing the home side in the driving seat.
However, Igor Tudor restored some hope for the visitors on 78 minutes and French ace David Trezeguet snatched a point two minutes from time.
Bologna and Fiorentina shared a five-goal thriller that only served to pile more misery on the troubled Viola as the home side ran out 3-2 winners.
All the goals came in the opening half. Salvatore Fresi twice gave Bologna the advantage only for first Maurizio Ganz and then Paolo Vanoli to level the scores before Lamberto Zauli settled matters with the decisive goal in the 32nd-minute. Fiorentina despair was capped by the second-half dismissal of Mirko Benin.
Marco Di Vaio brought much needed relief to worried Parma supporters. The Italian international grabbed a last-minute winner as the Gialloblu secured their second win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Perugia.
Earlier Di Vaio had given the home fans something to cheer when he pushed Parma ahead in the 19th-minute but Zisis Vryzas levelled for the visitors in the 68th-minute. Perugia`s woes were compounded when Manuele Blase was sent off late in the game.
Meanwhile, Udinese picked up vital points with a 2-1 win at Piacenza. David Di Michele set Udinese on their way with a fine 24th-minute strike.
And although Dario Hubner levelled the scores from the dubiously awarded penalty in the 56th-minute, a decision that brought chuckles of disbelief from Udinese coach Roy Hodgson, Roberto Muzzi wrapped up the scoring and the points with 58th-minute spot kick.
Finally, in the evening game, Torino pulled off a shock 1-0 victory over Milan thanks to Chritiano Lucarelli's 27th minute strike.
To view a match summary, click on a link below.
Atalanta v Roma
Bologna v Fiorentina
Internazionale v Lecce
Lazio v Brescia
Parma v Perugia
Piacenza v Udinese
Torino v Milan
Verona v Juventus
Click here for the Serie A standings
