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| Saturday, September 14, 2002 18:01 EST |
Bologna, Inter open with wins
[Reuters]
MILAN -- A second-half double from Argentine striker Julio Cruz has given Bologna a shock 2-1 home win over AS Roma, the opening day of the Italian Serie A season.
Inter Milan made a winning start with a 23rd minute Christian Vieri header securing a 1-0 home victory over Torino, which was forced to play the second half with 10 men after Gianluca Comotto was sent off just before halftime.
AC Milan, with Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo making his Serie A debut as a substitute, was too strong for newly-promoted Modena -- Filippo Inzaghi scoring twice in the 3-0 away win.
In the clash between two promoted clubs, Empoli enjoyed a 2-0 win at Como. Champion Juventus begin its title defense at home to Atalanta on Sunday.
The Italian season had been delayed by a fortnight due to a row over television rights but began with a bang as Bologna's injury-time winner inflicted an early wound on Fabio Capello's Roma.
Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta put Roma ahead a minute before the break with a penalty after Cafu had been brought down by Bologna defender Michele Paramatti.
Moments later Batistuta missed a great chance to double Roma's lead and he was left to regret that wasted opportunity as Bologna rose to the challenge after the break.
Batistuta's compatriot Cruz pulled the home side level with a delightful glancing header from a Giuseppe Signori free kick in the 59th minute.
Capello brought on Francesco Totti, still recovering his fitness, in the 66th minute and the Italy playmaker went close to restoring Roma's lead in the 89th minute.
Bologna goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca did well to push Totti's thundering free kick round the post.
But while Roma cursed its luck it was left stunned as Bologna grabbed a dramatic injury-time goal with Cruz bravely stooping to head home a cross from substitute Cristian Zaccardo.
Inter, which has not won a Serie A title since 1989 after being pipped to the 'scudetto' on the final day of last season, will be glad to have started with three points despite a low-key performance.
Vieri should have opened the scoring in the fifth minute as he found himself clear on goal but fired wide.
The powerful Italy striker made amends, though, with a fine near-post header from a Stephane Dalmat cross to put Inter ahead.
Torino was angered when Alessio Scarchilli had a 'goal' inexplicably ruled out in the 27th minute and were furious when, two minutes before the break, Comotto was sent off after a clash with Inter defender Marco Materazzi.
But Inter failed to press home their numerical advantage after the break and their debutant Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, signed from Lazio, missed a glorious chance by blasting high and wide from close-range after good work from Vieri.
Much is expected of AC Milan this season after some impressive summer signings and Carlo Ancelotti's side made a confident start at Modena, playing its first Serie A match since 1964.
Inzaghi opened the scoring with a clinical finish from a Rui Costa set-up in the 18th minute and Croat defender Dario Simic doubled the advantage with a good header from an Andrea Pirlo corner nine minutes after the break.
Inzaghi added his second in the final minute of normal time, converting a Pirlo cross.
Rivaldo, introduced in the 68th minute almost claimed his first goal in Italy in injury time but his delightful back-heel was ruled out for offside.
Empoli's decision to keep faith with the young side that impressed in Serie B last term paid off as it comfortably beat a radically altered Como side.
Luca Saudati put them ahead after 15 minutes and the victory was secured with Antonio Di Natale's first Serie A goal after an excellent solo run from Iglhi Vannucchi in the 59th minute.
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