Soccer: Mounting speculation Vieiri may leave Inter Milan

SPECULATION intensified last night on Christian Vieiri’s future at Inter Milan after he was left out of the side for the shock home defeat by Empoli.

Alberto Zaccheroni’s axe came after crosstown rivals, Milan declared that they would be willing to take the temperamental striker, who was fined last week for missing an Italian Cup match.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed: “Vieri is a great player but we have so many strikers and so it would be necessary to look at our roster. But we would be happy to have him.”

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed the club would be ready to fund a move for Vieri if Ancelotti wanted him.

Relegation-threatened Empoli added to Inter’s woes, winning 1-0 at the San Siro where Tommaso Rocchi netted the winner in second-half stoppage time. Defeat for Inter, their fourth of the campaign, left them 11 points off the pace.

Francesco Totti scored twice in six minutes to ensure Roma maintained their three-point advantage at the top of Serie A as the league leaders came from behind to defeat Sampdoria 3-1.

Totti’s 61st minute diving header was followed by a splendid individual effort as Roma’s talismanic captain lifted his side almost single-handedly after they had struggled to shake off a spirited Sampdoria at the Olympic stadium.

Fabio Bazzani put the visitors ahead with his eighth goal of the season before John Carew equalised for Fabio Capello’s championship-chasers.

Sampdoria had the chance to reduce the deficit after Totti’s double, but Carlo Zotti, only playing because regular Roma goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli was injured, brilliantly saved Francesco Flachi’s penalty.

Capello praised Totti for his ability to switch from an attacking midfield position to an out-and-out striker, which proved to be the turning point for the home side.

Totti’s feat was outdone by his Italy team-mate Alessandro Del Piero, who scored two penalties on his way to a hat-trick in Juventus’ 4-2 victory over Siena in snowy Turin.

French striker David Trezeguet completed the scoring for the title-holders, while Nicola Ventola grabbed both of Siena’s goals.

AC Milan kept up the pressure on Roma last night with a hard fought victory over Brescia. Giuseppe Pancaro scored the game’s only goal, eight minutes from time.

In Spain, Deportivo Coruna made up ground at the top of the Primera Liga with a crushing 4-1 win at home to Real Zaragoza yesterday.

The result means that Depor remain in third place in the table, but are now only four points behind leaders Valencia, who were held to a goalless draw at Valladolid on Saturday.

Champions Real Madrid stumbled to a 1-1 draw away to Real Betis last night. Joaquín opened the scoring for the hosts on the half hour mark. Ronaldo equalised midway through the second half.

Barcelona missed their chance to move up the standings when they conceded a late goal to draw 1-1 at home to Athletic Bilbao in Saturday’s late match, in a game that marked the debut of new signing Edgar Davids.

Patrick Kluivert eased Barca in front but Bilbao midfielder Carlos Gurpegi made the most of a late lapse of concentration to grab the equaliser when he headed home a cross four minutes from time.

Porto stayed top of the Portuguese premier league with a 3-0 away win over Braga on Saturday.

With the second half of the campaign now under way, Porto lead on 48 points from 18 games. Sporting, who beat struggling Academica 2-0, are in second spot with 43 points from the same number of matches.

Ligue 1 leaders Monaco and second-placed Paris St Germain were both held to goalless draws on Saturday.

Monaco travelled to Corsica and dominated Bastia but blustery conditions and a sturdy defence hampered the attacking game that has taken them to the Champions League knockout phase.

PSG, playing later in the day, failed to make the most of home advantage in their game with lowly Metz.