Juve’s woes continue; third loss in one week

Bernardo Corradi put Lazio ahead in the 21st minute with a beautifully angled, diving, near-post header from a Stefano Fiore cross. Corradi turned Fiore’s provider for the second goal on the stroke of halftime, racing on to a long ball from Paolo Negro and then finding Fiore with a neat pass inside which the midfielder confidently struck past Gianluigi Buffon.

It was a much-needed win for fifth-placed Lazio, but another poor showing from Juventus who looked short of inspiration and created few chances.

In a game of few chances at Empoli, Milan went close to an opener in the 37th minute when Rui Costa found Serie A’s top scorer Andriy Shevchenko, but the Ukrainian’s volley was saved at point-blank range by Empoli keeper Luca Bucci.

Empoli had a goal disallowed a minute later when Antonio DiNatale’s low shot squeezed under Milan keeper Dida and over the line but Tomasso Rocchi was spotted in an offside position by the linesman.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti introduced Kaka for Andrea Pirlo in the 75th minute and six minutes later the Brazilian won the game with a spectacular long-range strike which flew past the motionless Bucci.(Reuters)