Three Amigos are on fire

SPAIN/ITALY: The Three Amigos were at the fore once again as Barcelona got back to winning ways against Real Zaragoza at the Nou Camp.

Rivaldo, Patrick Kluivert and Javier Saviola were on top form as Barca outplayed the Copa del Rey holders and bounced back from their dismal 2-0 derby defeat to Espanyol last time out.

Kluivert and Saviola bagged a goal apiece, but it was the talismanic Brazilian who again took centre stage with a series of dazzling touches.

Dutchman Kluivert struck on the stroke of half-time with an expert finish to convert Barca's first-half domination into a lead.

The Holland striker hit a first-time shot at the near post past Cesar Lainez after a piercing run and cross by Sergi Barjuan.

Zaragoza arrived in Catalonia having not won at the Nou Camp in a decade. Txetxu Rojo's team had only one meaningful chance - a long-range free-kick from Paraguay midfielder Roberto Acuna after 28 minutes which flew over Jose Reina's goal.

Barcelona doubled their advantage nine minutes into the second half as Kluivert tricked Lainez into advancing before squaring to Saviola for an easy finish.

Four minutes after the goal, Sergi supplied Kluivert again but he hit the post. From that moment, Rivaldo toyed with Zaragoza but could not score the goal he deserved. A chance after 66 minutes went begging, but with 13 minutes left, a deft chip from 25 yards looked to be goal-bound but for a magnificent flick away by Lainez.

ITALY: Inter Milan were held to a goalless draw by Lazio yesterday, allowing AS Roma to hold on to top spot at the half-way stage of the championship.

Roma, who earlier beat Torino 1-0, lead the first division with 36 points while Inter have 35 and third-placed Chievo are on 32 points but have a game in hand.

The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in a disappointing game was when Inter striker Mohammed Kallon struck the post with a left-foot shot five minutes before the interval.

After the break, Christian Vieri forced a good save out of Lazio keeper Luca Marchegiani and Lazio's Stefano Fiore fired wide from a good position, but neither side were able to provide their strikers with the necessary service.

The result leaves Inter without a victory against any of the title contenders having drawn with Roma and Juventus and lost to Chievo and AC Milan so far this season.

Chievo Verona fell behind to a fifth-minute goal from Atalanta midfielder Daniele Berretta after a superb set-up from playmaker Cristiano Doni.

But Luigi Del Neri's side drew level when Massimo Marazzina knocked home the rebound after Simone Barone's shot had rattled out off the post. Federico Cossato then grabbed the winner with a clinical finish after good work from Congolese winger Jason Mayele.

Fiorentina slipped further into trouble with a 3-1 defeat at home to Perugia, who had Giovanni Tedesco sent off in the 68th minute but still held on for their third straight win.