Italy: AC Milan slumped to their third defeat in four Serie A matches when they lost 2-0 away at Atalanta yesterday.

Second-half goals by Atalanta strikers Nicola Ventola and Andrea Soncin left Milan 16th in the 20-team division with seven points from 10 matches, 17 points behind joint leaders Inter Milan and Palermo, who enjoyed 2-0 victories over Ascoli and Sampdoria respectively.

AS Roma are third on 20 points after beating Fiorentina 3-1 last night.

Milan travelled to Atalanta fresh from a 4-1 win over Champions League rivals Anderlecht and were hopeful of getting their league challenge back on track after recent losses to Inter and Palermo.

Their failure to capitalise on good first-half possession was punished, however, in the 50th minute, when home goalkeeper Alex Calderoni pumped the ball upfield for Massimo Donati to nod on to Ventola, who volleyed crisply past Dida.

Atalanta made sure of the points in the second minute of stoppage time, when Soncin's shot deflected off Dario Simic into the net.

City rivals Inter had few problems overcoming Ascoli, who have yet to win in Serie A this season. Inter captain Javier Zanetti opened the scoring and then eight minutes after the restart, Ascoli defender Mirko Cudini turned the ball into his own net.

Palermo made up for their midweek defeat to Uefa Cup rivals Newcastle with a comfortable home victory over Sampdoria -- their fourth Serie A win in a row.