Roma dent Milan's Euro ambitions

Adjust font size:

ROME, Italy -- AC Milan's hopes of securing a Champions League place next season were dented when they were held to a 1-1 draw at second-placed Roma on Saturday.

French defender Philippe Mexes gave Roma a fourth minute lead before Alberto Gilardino headed the equalizer in the 62nd minute.

Gilardino had a great chance to put the visitors ahead 11 minutes from time, but he dragged his shot wide after Kaka had put him clean through.

Both teams are involved in Champions League quarterfinals next week, but there was no shortage of commitment from either side in a fiercely-contested clash at the Olympic stadium.

The result left Roma on 59 points, 17 behind leaders and champions-elect Inter Milan but 15 ahead of AC Milan, who could slip six points behind fourth-placed Palermo if the Sicilian side win at Torino on Sunday.

The top two clubs in Serie A automatically go into the Champions League group stages, while the teams finishing third and fourth have to play in the two-legged third qualifying round.

Milan were able to recall central defender Alessandro Nesta after five months out following shoulder surgery.

Mexes, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Friday, put Roma ahead with a stunning strike in the fourth minute, hammering a shot into the roof of the net after a right-wing corner was played to him on the edge of the 18-yard box.

AC Milan, who were deducted eight points this season for their involvement in last summer's match-fixing scandal, went close to leveling the score eight minutes later when Dario Simic's glancing header spun inches wide.

Gilardino grabbed the equalizer when his flicked header from Andrea Pirlo's crossed free-kick beat Alexander Doni.

Relegation fears

Siena eased their relegation fears with a precious 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Reggina.

A headed goal by Valerio Bertotto in first half stoppage-time was enough to seal the points for the visitors.

Both sides had a player sent off. Reggina defender Alessandro Lucarelli saw red in the 22nd minute before Siena's Daniele Corvio followed in the 73rd minute..

The professional foul on Francesco Cozza, which earned Lucarelli his marching orders, resulted in a penalty for Siena, but Cozza's spot-kick was saved by Andrea Campagnolo.

Siena's win left them in 13th place in the 20-team division on 30 points, five ahead of Reggina and six clear of the relegation zone.

In Serie B, Alessandro Birindelli scored as Juventus won 1-0 at Pescara to extend their lead at the top to six points

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• Can cloud ships and space sun shades fix the planet?
• Ferguson 'losing faith' in referees
• Hurricane Ida enters Gulf, heads for U.S.
• UK change of heart on ban tax plan
• Images of Valuev's defeat to Haye

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)