European Soccer Round-up: Inter Milan went top of Serie A yesterday when they held off a late fight-back by Chievo Verona to win 4-3 at the San Siro stadium.
The Italian champions seemed set for an easy victory after a brace by striker Hernan Crespo and a goal each by Dejan Stankovic and Walter Samuel put them 4-0 ahead, but three goals in the last 15 minutes by the visitors ensured a nervy finale.
Rivals AC Milan's perfect start in Serie A ended on Saturday in a frustrating 0-0 draw at Livorno's Picchi stadium. Kaka grazed the post with a shot from outside the area and Filippo Inzaghi missed a close-range volley.
Having ridden their luck in the first half, however, Livorno looked more composed after the interval and were unlucky not to score when midfielder Stefano Morrone took advantage of a failed clearance to blast the ball against the crossbar.
In Spain, midfielder Mahamadou Diarra scored his first goal for Real Madrid to earn a dour 1-0 win at Real Betis that sent them briefly top of the Primera Liga on Saturday night. The Mali midfielder, signed from Olympique Lyon in the close season for €26 million, headed past keeper Toni Doblas after a sixth-minute corner.
Champions Barcelona took over top spot last night when they drew 1-1 at home to Valencia. David Villa opened the scoring for the visitors on 17 minutes but Andres Iniesta equalised on 49 minutes.
In France, champions Olympique Lyon, chasing a sixth successive title, top the standings with 19 points after a spectacular 4-1 win over Lille on Saturday. Two goals from Brazilian forward Fred and one each from France midfielder Florent Malouda and Brazil midfielder Juninho saw off Lille.
