INTER MILAN sailed a point clear at the top of the Serie A yesterday, after beating Verona 1-0 as European champions Juventus and AC Milan both drew 1-1.
Argentinian midfielder Javier Zanetti scored Inter's winner with just four minutes left, breaking down the right flank before moving into the area and unleashing a superb angled shot.
There was less to celebrate though for England midfielder Paul Ince, who was insulted by Verona fans both during the match and afterwards, as he made his way to the team bus from the changing rooms.
Inter, the only Italian club left in the UEFA Cup third round, are a point clear of Vicenza, who added to Lazio's woes by inflicting their fourth defeat of the season.
Knocked out of the UEFA Cup on Tuesday. Lazio went down 2-0 before their home fans and embattled coach Zdenek Zeman at the Olympic stadium. Roberto Murgita and Giampiero Maini scored the goals.
Juventus, who started the day top on goal average, looked a shadow of the side who thrashed Rapid Vienna 5-0 in midweek as they drew with Napoli.
Zinedine Zidane put them in front with a freak goal just before the break. Napoli goalkeeper Giuseppe Tagliatela collided with his French midfielder Alain Boghossian as they tried to clear Vladimir Jugovic's free kick. The hall fell to the feet of Zidane, who volleyed home from 15 yards.
Alfredo Aglietti levelled for Napoli in the 55th minute, driving home Fabio Pecchia's cross, and Juventus slipped to third in the table.
Milan, who in both the Serie A and the Champions League have lurched from one crisis to another, were trailing to a Filippo Inzaghi goal after 21 minutes at San Siro. Gianluigi Lentini, on loan at Atalanta after failing to win a first team slot at Milan, supplied the vital pass.
However, the blushes of Milan coach Oscar Tabarez were saved in the second half, when French substitute Christophe Dugarry was felled by Napoli goalkeeper Davide Micillo in the area.
Demetrio Albertini, who scored a penalty in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Gothenberg, converted the spot kick in the 54th minute.
Inzaghi later turned villain by getting himself sent off for a second bookable offence, while Milan substitute Roberto Baggio ended up in hospital for checks after being kicked on the back of the neck.
Real Madrid and Deportivo stayed unbeaten and scored away wins against Compostella and Real Zaragoza to keep Lip the pressure on Spanish first division leaders Barcelona who play away to Sporting Gijon today.
