SPANISH PRIMERA LIGA:Goals from Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos moved Real Madrid up to second yesterday, as they came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in the Bernabeu.
Bilbao, with new coach Mane at the helm, went ahead from Luis Prieto's deflected free kick in the first half, but Real's Brazilians led the fightback after the break with the winner coming after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men.
Real moved into second place on 29 points, just one behind Barcelona who were held 1-1 at Levante on Saturday.
Espanyol fought back from a goal down to beat Sevilla 2-1 at home yesterday, which meant the Andalucians slip back to third with 28 points.
Mali striker Frederic Kanoute had put Sevilla ahead from the penalty spot after 26 minutes, but Raul Tamudo equalised. Luis Garcia volleyed the winner with 10 minutes left and although Espanyol lost Albert Riera to a red card they hung on.
Real Zaragoza missed their chance of taking fourth place after a last minute Leonardo Ponzio own goal saw them lose 2-1 at home to Osasuna last night.
ITALIAN SERIE A:Third-placed Palermo were held to a goalless draw at Parma yesterday, falling eight points behind leaders Inter Milan, while AC Milan's poor league season continued when they were held 2-2 at Cagliari.
Inter, who beat Siena 2-0 on Saturday, lead on 36 points and have a four-point advantage over AS Roma, who beat Atalanta 2-1 on Saturday. Palermo are third on 28. Milan are in 15th position.
Carlo Ancelotti's side went ahead three minutes after the break when Alberto Gilardino headed in a cross from French midfielder Yoann Gourcuff.
The Sardinians drew level when Kakha Kaladze converted a penalty. Antonio Capone scored Cagliari's second before Marco Borriello brought Milan back on level terms in the 70th minute and although five minutes later Pirlo was sent off for a foul on Suazo, the six-times European champions held on for a point.
Udinese's 1-1 draw with Reggina featured the use of goal-line cameras as part of an experiment, endorsed by FIFA, to evaluate the use of technology to help refereeing decisions.