Bonaventura makes it 10 unbeaten for Rossoneri

AC Milan have climbed to seventh in the Serie A table thanks to a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria in Sunday’s clash at San Siro.

Giacomo Bonaventura scored the game’s only goal in the 13th minute as the Rossoneri stretched their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions.

The Rossoneri began brightly against Sampdoria and won a penalty in the sixth minute when a Davide Calabria cross made contact with Nicola Murru’s hand in the box.

However, the visitors were handed a reprieve as Ricardo Rodriguez’s low spot kick was parried away by goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.

Milan did not let the setback affect them and went on to take the lead just before the quarter-hour mark, Bonaventura volleying Calabria’s right-wing cross into the back of the net from close range.

The hosts continued to increase the pressure on their opponents and had the ball in the back of the net again on the stroke of half time, but scorer Leonardo Bonucci was deemed offside and the goal was ruled out.

Despite improving somewhat in the second 45 minutes, Sampdoria never looked settled as Milan continued to launch attacks into the opposition half.

However, Fabio Quagliarella came close to an equaliser late on, but he failed to test Gianluigi Donnarumma after peeling away from his marker, with the final whistle eventually blowing on a home victory.

Juve win is costly with Higuain, Bernardeschi injuries

Juventus’ 1-0 derby win over Torino came at a high cost with both prized striker Gonzalo Higuain and his replacement, Federico Bernardeschi, coming with injuries.

The status of each player will be big concerns for Juventus’ pursuit of a seventh straight Serie A title as well as the return leg of the Champions League last 16 against Tottenham.

Higuain was left grimacing on the pitch three minutes in after making contact near the endline with Torino goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, who broke up a Juventus chance.

After staying on for another 10 minutes, Higuain exited and was replaced by Bernardeschi.

Less than 20 minutes later, Bernardeschi set up Alex Sandro’s goal, dribbling past a defender then providing the cross for Sandro to tap in from close range. off

Bernardeschi exited late in the second half.

Juventus said later that Higuain has a bruised and twisted left ankle while Bernardeschi has a more serious left knee problem.

Higuain will likely miss next weekend’s match against Atalanta, while Bernardeschi could be out for up to a month.

Higuain scored twice when Juventus drew 2-2 with Tottenham on Tuesday. The return leg is scheduled for London on March 7.

On a positive note, Juventus was encouraged that Paulo Dybala came on for the final 25 minutes for his first action after several weeks out injured.

“Paulo played 30 minutes at a good level,” Allegri said. “I’m pleased with his and everyone else’s performance. This is a good result against a well-organized Torino side.”

It was Juventus’ ninth straight win but the Bianconeri remained one point behind Italian leader Napoli, which beat relegationthreatened Spal 1-0

OTHER MATCHES

Last-placed Benevento earned its third win of the season with a 3-2 win over fellow southern club Crotone. Cheick Diabate scored the winner two minutes from the end. Also, Atalanta and Fiorentina drew 1-1 with Milan Badelj and Andrea Petagna trading first-half goals; and Bologna beat 10-man Sassuolo 2-1 with a late free kick from Erick Pulgar in a matchup of regional rivals.

Yesterday Arzachena-Pisa ................................ 3-4 Gavorrano-Piacenza ........................ 1-0 Giana Erminio-Siena ........................ 0-1 Pistoiese-Olbia ................................ 1-2 Pro Piacenza-Viterbese .................. 3-1 Lucchese-Cuneo .............................. 0-0 Alessandria-Monza ......................... 0-0 Carrarese-Prato ............................... 4-0 Pontedera-Arezzo ........................... 0-0

Serie C - Group B

Yesterday Gubbio-Pordenone ......................... 2-3 Modena-Sudtirol ........................... canc

Serie C - Group C

Yesterday Akragas-Catanzaro ......................... 1-2 Matera-Siracusa .............................. 2-0 Trapani-Paganese ............................ 4-1 Juve Stabia-Bisceglie ....................... 0-2 Monopoli-Catania .......................... 5-0 Rende-Fondi ................................... 3-0 Sicula Leonzio-Lecce ........................ 0-0 Virtus Francavilla-Casertana .......... 0-1

FRANCE