Borriello comes back to haunt Milan

Rome: Marco Borriello came back to haunt former club AC Milan, scoring the only goal of the game as Roma blew the Serie A title race wide open.

Borriello struck 21 minutes from time yesterday with a lucky goal he knew next to nothing about but that won`t have worried the 28-year-old who was ditched by Milan in favour of bog-money signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the start of the season. Victory was vital for Claudio Ranieri`s team, who would have fallen 13 points off the leaders had they lost. Instead they are now just seven points behind Milan whose lead will be cut to three points should either Juventus, Napoli or Lazio win on Sunday. Ranieri was understandably happy. "Of course a win against the league leaders means a lot, if we`d have lost we`d have suffered a notable psychological blow.” "Winning has kept us alive, although we`re aware of our difficulties.” French winger Jeremy Menez, who created the winning goal, said this victory was vital. "It was important to win most of all to show that we`re still in it, that we`re Roma," he said. "We have a great team.” "Before heading off on holiday we`ve won an important game.” "We believe in the title and we always have. The season is long and we hope we`ll continue to do well after the winter break." Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri complained that his team had not been clinical enough. "As we didn`t play particularly well we deserved a draw but when you`re not nasty enough in the right moments, these things can happen," he said. Given the high stakes it was perhaps unsurprising that the match was a largely cagey affair. The first half in particular featured almost no attacking from Roma, who seemed content to simply defend the edge of their box. Even so, Milan struggled to create much. Just five minutes in Robinho was released down the left by Andrea Pirlo and after twisting and teasing Philippe Mexes he dummied the Frenchman, leaving him on the seat of his pants, and cut inside but stabbed a weak shot wide. Pirlo lasted barely half the first period before being replaced by Clarence Seedorf who shot straight at goalkeeper Doni from a good position. On the half hour Kevin-Prince Boateng beat John Arne Riise down the right and hit an inviting cross into the box which Nicolas Burdisso thumped clear. Roma had a pair of half chances but Jeremy Menez twice blazed wildly off target. Ibrahimovic, who had a game to forget, should have done better on 35 minutes when he beat the offside trap but he got the ball caught in his feet and then flicked a pathetic chip straight into Doni`s arms. There was little action after the break apart from a Seedorf lashing a shot high and wide until Roma took a surprise lead. Menez was the architect as he burst to the byline down the right and hit a dangerous cross which full-back Ignazio Abate, in trying to clear his lines, succeeded only in thumping off Borriello`s shins and into the net. That was soon followed by two more gilt-edged chances for Ibrahimovic who twice beat the offside trap again -- although both times looking suspiciously offside -- only to lift two shots over the bar with only Doni to beat. Roma by now, though, were far more involved in the game and Daniele De Rossi hit a stunning dipping volley from 30 yards that Christian Abbiati had to tip over. Milan started to push late on and Boateng blasted a shot wide and substitute Ronaldinho volleyed over with an acrobatic effort. Bureau Report