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ROME: AC Milan moved into third place in Serie A after surviving late pressure to defeat Lazio 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
But 10-man Sampdoria slipped out of the Champions League places to fifth after falling to a 2-0 defeat against Cagliari in Sardinia.
Thiago Silva and Pato grabbed first half goals as Milan went seven games without defeat, continuing their recovery after a poor start to the season and giving credence to coach Leonardo's belief that they will challenge their city rivals for the scudetto.
"When we're on top, we look great but when we're under pressure, we suffer - that's the risk when you play with an attacking line-up," said Leonardo, whose team move to 22 points, two behind Juventus and six behind leaders Inter.
"We are probably still a bit unbalanced as a team so we need to learn how to put a side away."
After watching second-place Juventus knock five past Atalanta on Saturday, Milan began the game in positive fashion and their Brazilians profited with clinical copycat goals.
Pirlo and Ronaldinho bent in perfect centres from the left touchline and Thiago Silva, on 21 minutes, and Pato, in the 35th minute, got a yard on their markers to head home.
Zarate gave the home side hope on 64 minutes when his shot deflected twice, lastly off Silva, before trickling into the corner.
A minute later, Dida had to beat away another drive from the dangerous Argentine.
Lazio coach Davide Ballardini is now under real pressure.
His team are without a win since the second game of the season and just two points above the relegation zone.
"We were playing well in the first half but lost our rhythm a bit in the second when they had a few chances," said Ronaldinho, who claimed another assist.
"I've always been more of a creator than a scorer. I'm happy with the way things are going with the team at the moment."
Sampdoria's faltering title challenge was not helped by first-half refereeing decisions.
Antonio Cassano appeared to be flattened in the box on 22 minutes before Lithuanian defender Marius Stankevicius was given his marching orders for a professional foul just before the break.
Cagliari, who move up to eighth spot on 19 points, left it late but goals from Alessandro Matri and Daniele Conti earned them the three points.
Fiorentina move fourth, joining Sampdoria on 21 points, after winning in Udine for the first time in eight years.
Peruvian Juan Vargas got the only goal of the game six minutes from time against struggling Udinese.
"We came to a difficult ground to win and although we weren't at our brilliant best, we were lively enough and I'm satisfied," said Viola coach Cesare Prandelli.
Genoa rediscovered their scoring form to defeat basement boys Siena 4-2 and climb to sixth.
A Hernan Crespo double and Raffaele Palladino netted in the first half with Sergio Floccari making the game safe late on after Massimo Maccarone and Michele Paolucci had staged a mini-fightback for the Bianconeri.
First-half goals from Davide Lanzafame and Cristian Zaccardo were good enough to see Parma past Chievo to join Genoa on 20 points, while Riccardo Allegretti's early strike saw Bari overcome Livorno and keep up their own push for a European spot.
Leaders Inter Milan take on Roma in the day's late game. - AFP/de
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