Milan - Fiorentina edged Genoa 1-0 late Saturday as striker Alberto Gilardino scored a great second-half goal to push the Florence side on to seven points from their five Serie A games.
In a previous game, Sampdoria and Juventus played out a dull scoreless draw as they opened the weekend in Genoa.
Juve advanced on to nine points, drawing level in second position with Lazio and Napoli, who Sunday play at Torino and Bologna, respectively. Samp lie low in the standings on four points, while Genoa lead them on six.
Front-running champions Inter Milan have 10 points ahead of a high-voltage derby against six-point AC Milan that closes the weekend late Sunday.
Fiorentina in the first half held the upper hand only on ball possession against a Genoa side that played a carefully defensive game.
The hosts' Romanian striker Adrian Mutu tried an unsuccessful header early in the game before his team mate Riccardo Montolivo had a fast but central drive saved on 18 minutes.
Genoa improved their attack schemes after the break bringing on Argentinian Diego Milito, who on 54 minutes enlivened the game with a nasty shot bravely saved by Frenchman Sebastien Frey.
Two minutes later, it was Rubens Rubinho's turn to save Genoa deflecting an angled shot from defender Marco Donadel.
The Brazilian goalkeeper was beaten on 61 minutes as Gilardino controlled a lose ball off a corner kick to stun him with an angled shot by the far post.
Giampaolo Pazzini, who came on for a mildly injured Gila, forced a good save on 83 minutes with a nasty low shot after a classy ball control.
Earlier in Genoa, Juve were the first to threaten despite Samp's midfield dominance and came close on four minutes as Dane Christian Poulsen fired a high drive from inside the area.
Captain Alessandro Del Piero came even closer on 20 minutes with his low drive bouncing off the far post, and aimed high from close range at the end of a fairly dull first half.
Austria's goalkeeper Alex Manninger made a crucial save for Juve as substitute Daniele Dessena fired home off a throw-in in injury time. (dpa)
Similar
US News
- Sun Pharma Gets FDA Nod To Sell Nasal Spray Astelin In US Market
- Bharti Airtel Gets Hold Of 49% Stake In Qualcomm India broadband
- Facebook IPO issue must be reviewed, says U.S. financial regulators
- Brooklyn to investigate witness intimidation in abuse cases
- Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's & Aurobindo Get USFDA Authorization To Market Generic Cardiac Drug
Rome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal. 
London, May 28 : Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany has expressed his hope of making an impact at the Saturday's England v/s Belgium friendly, after not being slotted in for the Euro 2012 squad. 
London, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession. 
Islamabad, May 28 : Pakistan cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti has said the Twenty20 format has caused a lot of damage to the techniques of opening batsmen. 
Sydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the 
Pune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.