By James Eve
ROME, March 11 - Inter Milan striker Adriano ended
a 10-match goal drought when he snatched the winner in a 1-0
victory over Sampdoria on Saturday.
Adriano's goal, his first since scoring twice in a 3-2
triumph over Cagliari on Jan. 15, left Inter third in Serie A
with 62 points from 29 matches, 11 behind leaders Juventus who
meet second-placed AC Milan on Sunday.
It will also lift Inter's spirits ahead of the second leg of
their Champions League last-16 tie with Ajax Amsterdam on
Tuesday.
Brazil striker Adriano looked lively from the start at the
San Siro stadium, heading against the post from a corner midway
through the first half.
Sampdoria also created chances, midfielder Sergio Volpi
unleashing a fierce 30-metre drive that Francesco Toldo tipped
wide at full stretch.
Adriano scored five minutes before the interval when he
nodded in the rebound after keeper Francesco Antonioli had
tipped his header from Luis Figo's cross on to the bar.
He almost created another goal early in the second half when
he fired a low shot from the edge of the area that Antonioli
spilled into the path of Alvaro Recoba, who turned the loose
ball against the post.
Elsewhere, Siena rose to 10th on 35 points after a late goal
by Albanian striker Erjon Bogdani earned a 1-0 win over bottom
team Treviso.
Siena twice went close to taking a first-half lead when
Tomas Locatelli hit the post and Enrico Chiesa had a penalty
saved after visiting keeper Adriano Zancope tripped Bogdani.
The home team continued to press after the interval but had
to wait until four minutes from time before Bogdani headed in a
corner.