Giuly tightens Roma's hold on second place

Roma consolidated second place in Serie A yesterday afternoon with a 2-0 home win over Catania.

The victory came courtesy of Ludovic Giuly's eighth-minute strike and Daniele De Rossi blasting home a second-half penalty in the absence of flu victim Francesco Totti. Three Catania fans were injured before the kick-off after being stabbed.

Third-placed Juventus could only draw 0-0 with Sampdoria, while the Milan substitute Alberto Gilardino struck in the final minutes to give the European champions a 1-0 win at fifth-placed Udinese, who lost fourth spot to Fiorentina on Saturday when the Florence side beat Torino 2-1 at home.

Milan, in ninth but with three games in hand, have their eyes on fourth place after enduring a difficult first half of the campaign where they failed to win at home in the league until last weekend's 5-2 victory against Napoli.

Carlo Ancelotti again fielded a Brazilian front three at Udinese with Ronaldo hitting the post in the first half and Pato combining well with Kaka to slip in Italy's Gilardino for the winner.