Goals by Adriano and Hernan Crespo gave Serie A leaders Inter Milan an easy 2-0 win over Chievo Verona when Italy's top flight resumed with four matches played behind closed doors yesterday.
Chievo's Bentegodi Stadium was one of the grounds pronounced off-limits to spectators after failing to meet safety regulations laid down in response to the death of a policeman during rioting outside a match in Sicily a week last Friday.
The empty stands made little difference to Inter, whose 15th successive victory in the division gave them 60 points from 22 matches, 11 points ahead of second-placed AS Roma, who beat Parma 3-0.
At a half empty San Siro, Ronaldo made his debut for AC Milan but was upstaged by team-mate Marek Jankulovski, who hit a superb long-range winner in a 2-1 victory over Livorno. Celtic's Champions League second leg clash with Milan looks like it will go ahead in front of a full house at the San Siro after officials predicted all government specifications will be met.
The return of Serie A after a week's suspension was a low-key affair, not only because of the closed stadiums but also due to the rigorous security checks at those that were open.
AC Milan fans were frisked and their identity cards and bags checked before entering the San Siro. There were no flares and firecrackers that have become such a familiar sight among Italy's hardcore ultras, while the absence of away fans meant police kept a low profile.
All matches were preceded by a minute's silence in memory of Filippo Raciti, the policeman killed.
Inter's fans, barred from the Bentegodi, did not miss a classic. Adriano's opening goal came after just 40 seconds, the Brazilian striker accelerating round home defender Fabio Moro on the left of the area before angling a shot in off the far post.
Chievo rarely looked capable of equalising, and in the 51st minute Adriano nodded the ball on for strike partner Crespo to fire past goalkeeper Vincenzo Sicignano.
Afterwards, Inter coach Roberto Mancini criticised the government's decision to close some stadiums. "We always react too late. Violence has been going on for years," he said. "But to play matches like this makes little sense. And at some grounds this situation looks like lasting until September."
Roma also had an easy victory thanks to goals by Simone Perrotta, Rodrigo Taddei and Francesco Totti, whose strike made him the leading scorer still playing in the division with 139 career goals, one ahead of Siena's Enrico Chiesa.
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