Fiorentina deny Milan second spot

Rome, Mar. 6: AC Milan missed the chance to go second in Serie A on Saturday after falling to a 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina, ending a recent upturn in form for the reigning champions.

Nicolas Gonzalez's penalty three minutes after the break and a late Luka Jovic header earned Fiorentina the three points and ended Milan's four-match winning streak ahead of their Champions League showdown at Tottenham on Wednesday.

Theo Hernandez netted in stoppage time for Milan who are fourth, level on 47 points with local rivals Inter ahead of their match with Lecce on Sunday.

Stefano Pioli's side, without suspended star attacker Rafael Leao, are one behind Lazio after their stunning win at runaway leaders Napoli on Friday moved the capital club second.

Roma will move above Milan on goal difference if they beat Juventus on Sunday night.

"Fiorentina were better than us today, but not because our minds were on Tottenham," said Pioli to Sky.

"That will be a different match, it's a knockout game and tonight's performance won't affect us, just as Tottenham won't be affected by their two consecutive defeats."

Fiorentina meanwhile stay 12th, level on 31 points with Torino, after a win which came on the fifth anniversary of former Viola captain Davide Astori's death.

Defeat for Milan will be a relief to Atalanta, whose bid for Champions League football took another hit after a drab goalless draw with Udinese.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side stay sixth and five points off Italy's top four following an uninspiring performance against their off-form opponents in Bergamo.

Rafael Toloi went closest for the hosts, his dipping strike in the final minute brilliantly tipped away by Marco Silvestri.

Udinese have won just once since early October and sit ninth, level on 32 points with Monza who beat Empoli 2-1 in Saturday's early match.

Bayern back on top

Defender Matthijs de Ligt produced a crucial goal-line clearance before scoring himself as Bayern Munich reclaimed the Bundesliga lead from Borussia Dortmund with a 2-1 win at Stuttgart on Saturday.

De Ligt's goal came late in the first half just after he prevented Stuttgart from going ahead, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting grabbing a second for Bayern midway through the second half.

Stuttgart pulled one back late on through Juan Jose Perea, but Bayern held on to go back above Dortmund on goal difference ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich.

Bayern picked up where they left off in last week's 3-0 win over Union Berlin, with Leon Goretzka forcing goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow into two stunning reflex saves in quick succession. (AFP)