Maldini in World Cup blow for Italy

Paolo Maldini faces a tense wait to find out if his chances of playing in the World Cup finals are still alive. The Milan and Italian national captain was taken to hospital after 27 minutes of yesterday afternoon's 1-1 draw with Atalanta with a suspected medial knee ligament injury.

The skilful defender, the most-capped Italian international with 121 caps, was hurt in a tackle with Damiano Zenoni and replaced by Kakha Kaladze. A statement from the club said the 33-year-old was due to undergo an X-ray either later last night or today to judge the extent of the problem.

However, the initial prognosis indicated serious injury, casting doubt on his availability for the remainder of the season and the World Cup. Maldini has already identified the finals in Korea and Japan as his last chance of winning international honours.

Ronaldo continued his comeback from injury with two goals in Internazionale's 3-0 victory over Verona.

The former world footballer of the year made it three in three starts since returning after two injury-plagued years. With yesterday morning's Serie A leaders Chievo's match against Lazio postponed due to a frozen pitch, Ronaldo's double strike, along with the opener from Christian Vieri, helped send Inter back to the top of the table.

Vieri scored his ninth goal in seven Serie A games to put his side on their way to victory in the 18th minute. The Italian international, who has also been hit by injury problems, controlled Ronaldo's pass before burying the ball in the net from the left side of the penalty area.

Ronaldo was on the scoresheet himself within five minutes of the second half, turning Sergio Conceiçao's cross past Fabrizio Ferron. Five minutes later, he showed the Nerazzurri fans a glimpse of his old self, ghosting past two defenders before cooly beating Ferron.

Inter are now one point clear of Roma, who were held to a uneventful goalless draw by Brescia. Only the biting cold kept the Olympic Stadium faithful awake.

Fiorentina's on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger produced a one-man show to deny Juventus victory at the Artemio Franchi stadium.

Manninger capped his performance by denying Alessandro Del Piero a stoppage-time winner. Nuno Gomes made up for his error in gifting the opener to David Trézéguet by equalising for Fiorentina.

The Viola coach, Roberto Mancini, revealed before the game that he would settle for a point and it was largely thanks to Manninger's heroics that his wish was granted.

Parma lost 1-0 against Torino in their first game since their Argentine coach Daniel Passarella was replaced by Pietro Carmignani following five straight League defeats.