AC Milan draw at Roma with Beckham making debut

AC Milan's David Beckham (L) challenges with Matteo Brighi of AS Roma during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome Jan. 11, 2009. AC Milan managed a 2-2 draw at AS Roma on Sunday with David Beckham making his debut.

ROME, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- AC Milan managed a 2-2 draw at AS Roma on Sunday with David Beckham making his debut.

Mirko Vucinic put Roma ahead midway through the first half but Alexandre Pato equalized just after the restart when he tapped in Kaka's cross and the 19-year-old soon clipped in a superb second. Vucinic headed the leveler on 72 minutes.

Beckham, on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy for two months, was given a surprise start in Milan's three-man midfield and was tidy without doing anything spectacular.


AC Milan's David Beckham (R) challenges Matteo Brighi of AS Roma during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome Jan. 11, 2009.

Second-placed Juventus earlier cut the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan to four points after an Alessandro Del Piero free-kick sealed a 1-0 home win over Siena.

Champions Inter, who drew 1-1 with Cagliari on Saturday, have a nine-point advantage over Milan in third.


AC Milan's Pato celebrates with his team mate David Beckham (top) after scoring against AS Roma during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Jan. 11, 2009.


AC Milan's David Beckham reacts during the Italian Serie A soccer match against AS Roma at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Jan. 11, 2009


AC Milan's David Beckham (R) reacts next to his teammate Paolo Maldini during their Italian Serie A soccer match against AS Roma at the Olympic stadium in Rome Jan. 11, 2009


AS Roma's Mirko Vucinic (L) celebrates after scoring against AC Milan during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Jan. 11, 2009.


AC Milan's David Beckham (2nd L) watches his teammate Ronaldinho kicking a ball during their Italian Serie A soccer match against AS Roma at the Olympic stadium in Rome Jan. 11, 2009


AC Milan's Pato (C) shoots to score against AS Roma goalkeeper Doni (L) during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome Jan. 11, 2009.


AC Milan's Pato (C) celebrates with his team mate Kaka (L) after scoring against AS Roma during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Jan. 11, 2009.


AC Milan's Pato celebrates with his team mate David Beckham (top) after scoring against AS Roma during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Jan. 11, 2009


AC Milan's Pato celebrates after scoring against AS Roma during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Jan. 11, 2009


AC Milan's David Beckham (C) and his teammate Gianluca Zambrotta (R) challenges with Mirko Vucinic of AS Roma during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome Jan. 11, 2009.


AC Milan's David Beckham (top) is challenged by AS Roma's John Arne Riise during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Jan. 11, 2009


AC Milan's David Beckham controls a ball during their Italian Serie A soccer match against AS Roma at the Olympic stadium in Rome Jan. 11, 2009.


AC Milan's David Beckham (C) and his teammate Gianluca Zambrotta (R) challenges Mirko Vucinic of AS Roma during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome Jan. 11, 2009.


AS Roma's Mirko Vucinic celebrates after scoring against AC Milan during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Jan. 11,


AS Roma's Mirko Vucinic celebrates with his team mate Daniele De Rossi (top) after scoring against AC Milan during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Jan.11, 2009.


AS Roma's Mirko Vucinic (not pictured) is congratulated by his team mates after scoring against AC Milan during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Jan. 11, 2009.
Xinhua/Reuters