MILAN: Substitute Ronaldinho struck six minutes from time to snatch a 1-1 draw for Serie A strugglers AC Milan at 10-man Atalanta on Sunday.
The Brazilian, who came on at halftime in Bergamo, chested down Alessandro Nesta’s ball and poked it in at the near post to score Milan’s first goal in four games in all competitions.
Milan coach Leonardo will hope Ronaldinho’s first of the campaign helps him cling to his job ahead of the two-week international break.
The rookie boss was given a vote of confidence by chief executive Adriano Galliani after the 1-0 defeat at home to FC Zurich in the Champions League in midweek.
His side showed the same nerves against joint-bottom Atalanta, who took the lead midway through the first half when Simone Tiribocchi swept the ball home inside the box. The hosts then had Ivan Radovanovic harshly sent off on 39 minutes for two bookings but Milan still labored to find a goal.
Striker Alexandre Pato missed a glorious chance and later hit the bar before the inconsistent Ronaldinho netted.
The goal meant Leonardo could afford a sigh of relief but Napoli boss Roberto Donadoni is under increased pressure after a 2-1 defeat at injury-hit AS Roma.
Argentine forward Ezequiel Lavezzi opened the scoring for Napoli on 26 minutes after Roma had already made two substitutions including goalkeeper Julio Sergio.
Chelsea returns to top, Arsenal thrashes Blackburn
Chelsea moved two points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 defeat of Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Second-half goals from France pair Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda settled an absorbing contest as Chelsea returned to form following last week’s defeat at Wigan Athletic.
Chelsea have 21 points after seven wins in their opening eight games while Liverpool drop out of the top four below Arsenal, who earlier hammered Blackburn Rovers 6-2.
Manchester United are second with 19 points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur on 16 with Arsenal and Liverpool on 15.
