MILAN, 29 October 2004 — Bulgarian teenager Valeri Bojinov scored twice as Lecce continued their impressive start to the season by coming back from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with visiting Inter Milan in Serie A on Wednesday.
Inter had led 2-0 after goals from Brazilian Adriano and Nigerian Obafemi Martins before 18-year-old Bojinov’s superbly taken goals earned Lecce a point.
Lecce gave up second place to champions AC Milan, though, after Carlo Ancelotti’s side moved two points behind leaders Juventus with a 3-0 win over bottom club Atalanta.
Second half goals from Jon Dahl Tomasson, Kakha Kaladze and Serginho gave Milan victory at the San Siro.
Lecce’s comeback draw was confirmation of the quality of Zdenek Zeman’s side but leaves Inter trailing in sixth place after their sixth draw in eight games.
Inter got off to a flying start when they scored after just four minutes with Adriano’s sixth league goal of the season.
Argentine Esteban Cambiasso burst down the left and slipped the ball inside to Martins who produced a great turn to create space for a cross that Adriano headed home from close range. Martins then doubled Inter’s advantage in the 33rd minute when Lecce lost possession carelessly and after an exchange with Cambiasso, Martins slotted home confidently.
Chievo Verona’s unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-0 home defeat by Sampdoria — Sergio Volpi and Aimo Diana on target for the visitors.
Early season surprise package Messina suffered another setback as they lost 2-0 at Lazio after Christian Manfredini and Claudio De Sousa scored for the Rome side.
Messina slipped to ninth place but Cagliari’s positive start continued as Mauro Esposito got the winner in their 2-1 victory over Parma who had defender Paolo Cannavaro sent off in the 42nd minute.
Owen Scores Again as Real Earn King’s Cup Win
In Madrid, Real Madrid striker Michael Owen scored his third goal in three games when he helped his side to a 2-1 win over third division neighbors Leganes in the first round of the King’s Cup on Tuesday.
Fellow striker Fernando Morientes, getting his first start of the season, put Real ahead in the 19th minute when he poked the ball home on the rebound after an Owen volley.
The England striker, who got the winners in Real’s 1-0 victories against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League and Valencia in the Primera Liga, made it 2-0 early in the second half as he steered the ball in after a neat pass from Morientes.
But Real had to endure a nervous finale after Leganes pulled one back with a superb Dani Ruiz free kick in the 56th minute. Deportivo Coruna striker Diego Tristan continued his impressive return to form by scoring both goals in the 2-0 victory against fourth division Cerceda, a game which saw both sides reduced to 10 men after 30 minutes.
