Juventus off the pace

European round-up

Parma and Milan both won yesterday and share the lead in Italy's Serie A. However, the defending champions, Juventus, convincing qualifiers for the quarter-finals of the European Cup last week, fell six points behind the pace after slipping to their second successive league defeat, at Udinese.

Udinese's German striker, Oliver Bierhoff, scored the only goal. Fabio Cannavaro and Gianfranco Zola were on target for Parma in a 2-0 win at Cremonese, while Marco Simone struck Milan's winner in a 3-2 home victory over Cagliari. Milan and Parma hold a two-point lead over Fiorentina, 2-0 winners over Lazio.

Sampdoria's 0-0 draw with Internazionale was marked by Roberto Mancini's bizarre dismissal. Mancini threw down his captain's armband and threatened to walk off after being booked for diving in the penalty area. Persuaded to continue by his team-mates, Mancini was promptly sent off for dissent.

An equaliser from Ajax's Nigerian striker, Nwanko Kanu, soon after Ronaldo's strike for PSV Eindhoven ensured that the Dutch league leaders maintained their unbeaten record, despite dropping their first points this season.