Milan: AS Roma reinvigorated the Serie A title race by beating Catania 1-0 and cutting the gap with leaders Inter Milan to five points.
Champions Inter had their third straight draw when they were held 0-0 by Sampdoria on Saturday after having two players sent off and second-placed Roma made sure they took advantage despite some late nerves.
Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic, up front alone with Francesco Totti suspended and Luca Toni injured, prodded in an 18th-minute corner to overcome the lowly visitors.
Claudio Ranieri's side, who lost for the first time in 21 matches in Thursday's Europa League defeat at Panathinaikos, have stormed up Serie A after a sticky start and host Inter in late March in one of their 13 remaining games.
Asked if the title race had been reopened, Ranieri told Sky TV: "No, no. Honestly no. You still can't say it, but we move forward. Our mind is on the Europa League campaign. Inter are a great side."
AC Milan, 10 behind Inter in third with two games in hand, visit Bari in the late game (1945 GMT).
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, February 22, 2010, 11:11