A hat-trick by Inter’s veteran Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic saw the champions to a welcome 5-2 victory over Parma yesterday and ended a run of four Serie A matches without a win.
Inter had given Rafael Benitez some breathing space by squeezing through to the last 16 of the Champions League in midweek when, had they been defeated by Dutch side Twente, many believed the Spanish coach would have been sacked.
However, Stankovic’s treble and goals from Argentinian Esteban Cambiasso, who had scored the only goal against Twente, and Thiago Motta saw them to the three points against Parma, for whom veteran Hernan Crespo bagged a brace.
“It was a crazy match and we showed that we were a bit crazier,” joked Benitez. “The team played very well and proved its character. I’m happy. We still believe in the title. The season is still long.”
Looking ahead to his side’s forthcoming matches, Benitez called on Inter to build on their momentum.
“Now, Lazio (in the league next Friday), Werder Bremen (in the Champions League on December 7) and the Club World Cup (on December 15-18). This match against Parma needs to be our springboard,” he said.
Inter are still seven points adrift of rivals and leaders Milan, who drew 1-1 at Sampdoria on Saturday.
Former leaders Lazio could have moved to within a point of Milan with victory at home to Catania, but they were held to a 1-1 draw.
Matias Silvestre gave the visitors the lead in the 44th minute, but Lazio’s Brazilian summer signing Hernanes levelled within a minute as the Rome club extended their lead over third-placed Juventus to three points.
A superb late free-kick from substitute Simone Pepe earned Juventus a 1-1 draw at home to Fiorentina on Saturday, keeping Juve ahead of Napoli on goal difference.
In the late game, Roma missed a chance to go third after they lost for the first time in eight games, 3-1 at Palermo, who leapfrogged them into sixth place on 23 points – level with Inter.
Francesco Totti netted a last-gasp consolation as Palermo took the points with Fabrizio Miccoli on target in the opening period and further goals from Josip Ilicic and Antonio Nocerino.
Also yesterday, Italy international striker Antonio Di Natale claimed a hat-trick as improving Udinese inflicted a 3-1 defeat on Napoli.
Brescia drew 0-0 with Genoa, Cagliari saw off a late fightback to win 3-2 at home to second-bottom Lecce and bottom side Bari drew 1-1 at home to fellow relegation candidates Cesena.
The match between Bologna and Chievo was postponed by referee Marco Guida after heavy snowfall in Bologna, with a decision on when the match will now be played yet to be taken.
Serie A
Bari 1
Caputo 64;
Cesena 1
Colucci 62 pen;
HT: 0-0. Att: 18,000.
Bologna p
Chievo p
(postponed due to heavy snow)
Brescia 0
Genoa 0
Att: 4,000.
Cagliari 3
Matri 6,15; Canini 28;
Lecce 2
Olivera 54; Di Michele 81;
HT: 3-0. Att: 8,000.
Inter 5
Stankovic 18, 19, 75; Cambiasso 24; Motta 72;
Parma 2
Crespo 4, 36
HT: 3-2. Att: 40,000.
Lazio 1
Hernanes 45;
Catania 1
Silvestre 44;
HT: 1-1. Att: 22,000.
Palermo 3
Miccoli 20; Ilicic 61; Nocerino 65;
Roma 1
Totti 90;
HT: 1-0. Att: 29,691.
Udinese 3
Di Natale 17 pen, 45, 57;
Napoli 1
Hamsik 58;
HT: 2-0. Att: 14,000.
Missed penalty: Hamsik (N) 65.
Next fixtures
Friday: 20.45 Lazio vs Inter.
Saturday: 18.00 Chievo vs Roma; 20.45 Milan vs Brescia.
Sunday: 12.30 Catania vs Juventus. 15.00 Cesena vs Bologna; Fiorentina vs Cagliari; Lecce vs Genoa; Parma vs Udinese; Sampdoria vs Bari.
Monday, December 6: 20.45 Napoli vs Palermo.
Top scorers
9 goals: Eto’o (Inter); Cavani (Napoli).
8 goals: Matri (Cagliari); Di Natale (Udinese).
7 goals: Di Vaio (Bologna); Ibrahimovic (Milan); Pastore (Palermo).