David Beckham of Milan jumps on the back of Kaka as Fillippo Inzaghi (L) joins to celebrate the first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Citta di Palermo at the San Siro Stadium on April 26, 2009 in Milan,Italy.

Milan had no such problems going forward and took a 10th minute lead after Palermo defender Mattia Cassani fouled midfielder Massimo Ambrosini and Kaka stroked home the penalty.

"We started the match well with a good rhythm," Ancelotti said. "Palermo always make it difficult for you in midfield, but it was a good day and our midfield competed well.

"Kaka has returned well after two months out, and now the defense is also back to its best as players have returned and it is much more solid."

Ambrosini then helped to increase Milan's lead 10 minutes later, when Filippo Inzaghi headed in his cross from close range.

Early in second half, Palermo defender Cesare Bovo was sent off for a foul on Kaka. Shortly afterward, Federico Balzaretti bundled over the Brazilian in the area and Kaka got up to score with his second spot-kick of the match.

Juventus continued its run of poor form, needing a dubious penalty from Alessandro Del Piero and a scrappy goal from midfielder Cristiano Zanetti.

Having been knocked out of the Italian Cup in midweek, Juventus' season appears to be limping to a finish and Claudio Ranieri's side was fortunate to leave Reggina with a draw.

The bottom side went ahead in the 27th when defender Antonio Barilla was left unmarked to head home midfielder Daniel Adejo's cross.

Shortly after halftime, though, Adejo brought down striker Vincenzo Iaquinta and Alessandro Del Piero brought his team level with the penalty.

Midfielder Emil Hallfredsson put the home side in the lead again when he scored from long range, but Cristiano Zanetti equalized two minutes later after the ball came to him in the box.

"The first half an hour, I can't say I'm surprised we struggled because everyone knows about Reggina's pressing, but after that we recovered well," Ranieri said. "It was an intense match and we had to fight to the end. It certainly wasn't a beautiful match.

"We've welcomed back some players, such as (Mauro) Camoranesi and (Cristiano) Zanetti, but it takes them time to get back to their best."

Genoa's hopes of returning to the Champions League places were hit when it slipped to a 2-0 defeat away to Bologna.

Also yesterday, it was: Lecce 2, Catania 1; Sampdoria 3, Cagliari 3; Lazio 0, Atalanta 1; and Torino 1, Siena 0.