Football: Milan reap benefit from Bierhoff

ITALIAN FOOTBALL

WHILE SOME Italian clubs may need to redeem themselves this weekend after poor starts to the new season both domestically and in Europe there are no such problems for Milan, who visit Salernitana tomorrow fresh from a 3-0 victory at home to Bologna.

The German centre forward Oliver Bierhoff, a prolific goal scorer in Serie A for Udinese last season, was on the mark twice for his new club, the early leaders in the European club rankings, and Leonardo added the third. Salernitana, conversely, need to step up on their 3-1 defeat at Roma.

The champions Juventus proved vulnerable at the back in their 4-3 victory at Perugia last Sunday. Juve host Cagliari without the injured Paolo Montero, Mark Iuliano and Ciro Ferrara.

Internazionale, who pulled back a point after being 2-0 down at Cagliari last week, need to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat by the European Cup holders, Real Madrid, as Parma travel to Venezia.