KEY POINTS:
Goals by Adriano and Hernan Crespo gave Serie A leaders Inter Milan an easy 2-0 win over Chievo Verona yesterday when Italy's top flight resumed.
But four of the matches were played behind closed gates.
Chievo's Bentegodi stadium was one of the grounds pronounced off-limits to spectators after
failing to meet safety regulations laid down in response to the death of a policeman during rioting outside a match in Sicily a week last Friday.
The empty stands made little difference to Inter, whose 15th successive victory in the division gave them 60 points from 22 matches, 11 points ahead of second-placed AS Roma, who beat Parma 3-0.
Ronaldo made his debut for AC Milan at a half-empty San Siro, but was upstaged by teammate Marek Jankulovski, who hit a superb long-range winner in a 2-1 victory over Livorno.
The return of Serie A after a week's suspension was a low-key affair, not only because of the closed stadiums but also the rigorous security checks at those that were open.
AC Milan fans were frisked and their identity cards and bags checked.
Media said five Inter Milan supporters were stopped by police outside the Bentegodi after being found in possession of firecrackers.
Inside the stadiums, there were none of the pyrotechnic displays that have become a familiar sight among Italy's hardcore fans, while the absence of away fans meant police kept a low profile.
All matches were preceded by a minute's silence in memory of Filippo Raciti, the policeman killed on February 2.
At Rome's Olympic Stadium, where Roma were hosting Parma, small sections of the crowd whistled, but were quickly drowned out by applause from the rest of the ground.
"The applause showed there is a strong desire to change," said Italian Football Federation chief Luca Pancalli, who suspended play in all Italy's leagues hours after Raciti's death.
"I don't claim to have the solution [to violence] in my pocket. But I saw some promising signs today," he told Sky Italia television.
Inter's fans, barred from the Bentegodi, did not miss a classic. Adriano's opening goal came after only 40 seconds.
The Brazilian striker accelerated around home defender Fabio Moro on the left of the area and angled a shot in off the far post.
Then in the 51st minute, he nodded the ball on for strike partner Crespo to fire past keeper Vincenzo Sicignano.
Afterwards, Inter coach Roberto Mancini criticised the Government's decision to close some stadiums.
"We always react too late. Violence has been going on for years," he said.
Roma also had an easy victory from goals by Simone Perrotta, Rodrigo Taddei and Francesco Totti, whose strike made him the leading scorer still playing in the division with 139 goals.
- REUTERS