Leaders AS Roma showed the first signs of frailty yesterday with a 1-1 home draw against struggling Bari, allowing second-placed Juventus to trim their Italian first division lead from eight points to six. And it could have been worse.
A second-half free-kick from Swiss defender Giuseppe Mazzarelli gave Bari the lead against a Roma side deprived of injured Argentinian striker Gabriel Batistuta and suspended pair Cafu and Cristian Zanetti.
But Francesco Totti equalised from the penalty-spot seven minutes later to give Fabio Capello's side some reward in a weekend when all the results went against them.
Chasers Juventus prevailed 10 at home to Bologna. Fiorentina, who trounced AC Milan 4-0 on Saturday, and defending champions Lazio - 4-3 victors over 10-man Udinese - also narrowed the gap on Roma, three points further back in joint third.
"Bari had the better chances," lamented Capello. "I did not recognise my team, who did not really seem to have their minds on the job."
Juventus triumphed thanks to a header from French international David Trezeguet.
In yesterday evening's battle of the underachievers at the San Siro, Inter Milan and Parma had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Parma, playing their first game in Arrigho Sacchi's second reign as coach, took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Marco Di Vaio headed them in front at the near post.
But Christian Vieri, underfire after missing a host of chances in recent matches, put Inter back on terms after 69 minutes after being set up by his Turkey's Hakan Sukur.
In Spain, Luis Figo received the Ballon d'Or award yesterday and then inspired Real Madrid to an easy 4-0 win against Oviedo, putting his side three points clear at the top of the table.
Figo proved exactly why he was awarded the prestigious trophy, also known as the European Footballer of the Year award, as he led what was practically a demonstration, with football greats Eusebio and Bobby Charlton among the 61,000 spectators at the Bernabeu Stadium.
The match was capped by a memorable volleyed goal from back in favour Steve McManaman, who launched himself into the air to connect with a long pass from Roberto Carlos.
It was Real's eighth consecutive league victory and they moved three points clear of Valencia, who lost 2-0 to Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.
