Juventus winger Milos Krasic returned from injury and suspension to again be the driving force in a 2-0 win at Genoa yesterday.

The visitors, who moved up to third in Serie A on 23 points, took a fortunate lead when Claudio Marchisio's deflected shot cannoned in off the post and the back of Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo.

Krasic, signed in the close season and fast becoming a fan favorite due to his resemblance to ex-Juventus hero Pavel Nedved, made it 2-0 on 23 minutes when Eduardo could have done better to stop the Serbian's shot following a weaving run.

Genoa hit the bar and Luca Toni was booked for palming the ball into the net as new coach Davide Ballardini suffered his first defeat after two wins in his first two games in charge. Genoa is ninth on 17 points.

On Saturday, AC Milan strengthened its grip on top spot thanks to a 1-0 win over Fiorentina, with Ronaldinho again on the bench.

Ace striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic acrobatically converted a cross into the box on the stroke of halftime at a rainy San Siro to give the Rossoneri a four-point lead pending Lazio's visit to Parma yesterday.

Faltering champion Inter Milan, ravaged by injury, was at Chievo in yesterday's main program of games as it desperately tries to keep on the tails of great rival Milan.

Ronaldinho was kept on the bench for last weekend's derby win over Inter for tactical reasons but the Brazilian remained in the dugout again against Fiorentina following news he had left a bar after 2am on Thursday.

Even with Filippo Inzaghi out for the season and fellow forward Alexandre Pato injured, Ronaldinho was only called upon with four minutes left given Ibrahimovic's form.

"It was a great bit of skill, but we're used to him doing this," Milan coach Massimo Allegri said of Ibrahimovic. "He's got great technique as well as a physical presence and is becoming a vital player for us."

Just before the final whistle Fiorentina defender Per Kroldrup was sent off for taking his protests with the referee too far.

Also, AS Roma beat Udinese 2-0 at home with goals from Jeremy Menez and Marco Borriello either side of halftime, but finished the match with 10 men after Nicolas Burdisso was sent off in the 81st.