Brazilian Ronaldo made his long-awaited return to action as a late Andrea Pirlo free-kick gave Milan all three points in a 2-1 win in Cagliari.

The striker had not played all season long with a leg injury but still managed to last the full 90 minutes as Milan fought back from a goal down to record just their fourth victory of the season.

Robert Acquafresca opened the scoring for the hosts before a close range Alberto Gilardino strike and then Pirlo's swerving free-kick in the 86th minute settled matters at the Stadio Sant'Elia.

Elsewhere, Fabio Firmani's last minute deflected strike gave Lazio a dramatic 1-0 win over Parma while Fiorentina were held to a goalless draw by Reggina and Udinese beat Siena 2-0 thanks to goals from Italy internationals Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Di Natale.

On Sardinia, Cagliari got off to the perfect start when striker Acquafresca - who moved from Internazionale in the deal that saw David Suazo leave the Sardinian club in the summer - rose highest to meet a corner with a header just four minutes into the game.

Considering Milan have relied on their away form for much of their limited success so far this season, the goal was a huge blow. And for much of the game, it seemed as though the Rossoneri's home woes had made the trip to Sardinia with them; Carlo Ancelotti's side once again looked toothless up front and fragile at the back.

But Milan were presented with a golden opportunity to restore parity just before the half-time whistle, only for Kaka to see his poor penalty easily saved by Marco Fortin.

The spot kick had been won by the returning Ronaldo, who fell to the floor after having had his shirt tugged by Paolo Bianco.

It was the first of two significant contributions from the Brazilian, who looked a yard off the pace - understandably so given that this was his first outing of the season - and whose touch let him down on several occasions.

But his second noteworthy moment very nearly produced a goal as the crowd were treated to a rare glimpse of the old Ronaldo - the one who won the world player of the year three times. He effortlessly passed the ball beyond Fortin in the 53rd minute, only to be denied by the upright.

Milan took heart from the effort, and were soon back on level terms as Gilardino capitalised on a mix up from Bianco and Diego Lopez to prod home the equaliser after 62 minutes.

Almost immediately the hosts nearly hit straight back, but Acquafresca saw his effort cleared off the line by Daniele Bonera after he had rounded Dida and fired goalwards.

It was to prove a decisive intervention from the Milan substitute, and the Rossoneri grabbed all three points when Pirlo fooled Fortin with a swerving free-kick four minutes from the end.

The result sent Cagliari to the bottom of the table - hardly the most auspicious start for new boss Nedo Sonetti in his first game in charge - while Milan jumped up to ninth.

Empoli 0-0 Torino

The game ended goalless despite Torino playmaker and Italy hopeful Alessandro Rosina again pulling the strings with some exquisite play.

Enmpoli, who made the UEFA Cup after a stunning league performance last season, edge off the bottom with the point.

Lazio 1-0 Parma

Fabio Firmani's last-minute goal gave the home side an emotional victory after they remembered fan Gabriele Sandri, shot dead by a policeman two weeks ago.

Andrea Gasbarroni shot over after a strong first half run for the visitors and Lazio defender Lionel Scaloni hit the post with a searing shot before Firmani smacked the woodwork from long range.

Lazio's Lorenzo De Silvestri, a friend of Sandri, had his name sewn into his boots while before kick off players from both sides paid their respects at a huge photo of Sandri behind the goal.

Livorno 3-1 Sampdoria

Livorno's Croatian defender Dario Knezevic headed in Giovanni Pasquale's cross on eight minutes before Francesco Tavano quickly doubled the home side's advantage when the striker cleverly turned in a free kick from the right.

Tavano was on fire and soon had a dipping free kick tipped over the bar among other efforts as Livorno made a mockery of their lowly league place.

Claudio Bellucci's acrobatic effort gave Sampdoria hope in the final 10 minutes but it was too late and Tavano grabbed a deserved second in the final stages.

Napoli 2-0 Catania

Former Juventus striker Marcelo Zalayeta put Napoli ahead just before the break when he ambled through a gap in the Catania defence and kept his cool to finish expertly.

The Uruguayan repeated the trick midway through the second half to help promoted Napoli continue their strong return to the top flight.

Influential Napoli midfielder Ezequiel Lavazzi went close with a well-worked effort on half an hour and the home side could have scored more on several occasions.

Reggina 0-0 Fiorentina

The visitors, without injured striker Adrian Mutu, lacked their usual cutting edge and flowing style in a dull draw.

The home side appealed for handball inside the box in the first half but the referee awarded a freekick to Fiorentina for pushing.

Fiorentina were without coach Cesare Prandelli, who missed the trip because of illness.

Udinese 2-0 Siena

The hosts moved up to joint second after comfortably beating the Tuscan strugglers despite being reduced to 10 men at the break.

Italy forward Fabio Quagliarella avoided being flagged offside when he tapped in for Udinese on 43 minutes but the home side's joy was soon tempered when defender Felipe was dismissed for a second booking.

Home boss Pasquale Marino, who signed a new long-term contract on Saturday, looked stunned by the decision in the dugout but was relieved when Antonio Di Natale finished off international team mate Quagliarella's pass late on.

Juventus host Palermo in Sunday's late game without suspended defender Giorgio Chiellini but winger Pavel Nedved returns from a ban.

Mike Hytner / Reuters