Monday February 2, 2009 12:42

European Weekend Review

Posted by The Soccer Blogger as Italian Serie A, Scottish Premier League, Spanish La Liga

David Beckham set up two goals, helping AC Milan beat Lazio 3-0 to take second place in the Italian Serie A league.

The result at the Stadio Olimpico left AC Milan with 44 points, six points behind leader and city rival Inter Milan, who drew 1-1 with Torino earlier in the day. Juventus slipped to third with 43 points, following a 3-2 defeat to Cagliari on Saturday.

David Beckham playing for AC Milan against Lazio in the Italian Serie A

Beckham, who is of course currently on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, completed his first full 90 minutes for Carlo Ancelotti’s AC Milan and created the first two goals.

It was Beckham’s low cross in the 42nd minute found Brazilian Pato unmarked in the Lazio box and the he scored his 10th goal. Then Beckham delivered one of his trademark free kick early in the second half and Massimo Ambrosini rose above the Lazio defense to put Milan ahead 2-0.

Kaka put the result beyond doubt seven minutes from time. The Brazilianm, so much in the news in the last few weeks regarding a potential move to Manchester City, exchanged passes with Clarence Seedorf and sent the ball under Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

Meanwhile in Spain, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, a second-half substitute, scored twice and as a result lifted Barcelona to a 2-1 victory over Racing Santander. The Catalans stay 12 points ahead in the Spanish title race.

A 56th minute penalty shot by Nicolas Zigic gave Santander the lead at the El Sardinero stadium. But Messi scored from his first touch in the 65th and added an 81st-minute winner that was also the 5,000th goal in Barcelona’s history.

Barcelona have won nine straight in a 20-game unbeaten run and leads with 56 points from 21 games. Their main and bitterest rivals Real Madrid are second with 44 after beating Numancia 2-0 on Saturday.

Finally over to Scotland where former Rangers player and captain, Terry Butcher, helped out his old club out in the title race when his new team, Inverness Caledonian, held the current champions and leasgue leaders Celtic in his first game in charge.

Celtic’s failure to score against Inverness, a team that have conceded more goals (41) than any other in the division, leaves the defending champion only two points ahead of Rangers, their fierce rivals, in the title race after Rangers beat Dundee United 2-0 Saturday. Looks like the Scottish championship race is starting to become interesting again. A few shorts weeks ago, it looked all but over for Rangers. The next Auld Firm Derby should be something extra special!

Cheers

Rik

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