Fiorentina close the gap

European round-up

Milan, missing the finishing power of George Weah, struggled to a 0- 0 draw with Cremonese yesterday, allowing Fiorentina to cut their Serie A lead to a point after their 2-1 victory over Piacenza.

Third-placed Parma revived their title hopes with an impressive 4-0 win over Cagliari - their first in four matches. Juventus, the defending champions, needed a 41st-minute penalty from Fabrizio Ravanelli to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Bari.

The Bastia goalkeeper, Bruno Valencony, gifted Fifth Division Blenot a 1-0 win over the First Division side in Saturday's French Cup first round. Five other leading clubs - Gueugnon, Guingamp, Lens, Lyon and Rennes - made early exits, while league leaders Paris St-Germain and champions Nantes cruised through to the second round.