Italian football: Leaders Inter Milan struggle to beat promoted Atalanta
By Alberto Cagliano
Milan - Title holders Inter Milan came from behind to clinch a hard-fought 2-1 win over visiting newcomers Atalanta Saturday as Roma remained seven points adrift by beating 2-0 guests Cagliari.
Unbeaten Inter tied Roma's record of 11 straight win and lead the Serie A with 48 points from 18 games as the league begins a three-week winter break.
The regional derby at the brimming Giuseppe Meazza saw Atalanta show no respect for the title holders and deservedly close the first half one up thanks to a powerful drive from Cristiano Doni.
Inter missed the suspended striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and after six minutes had to replace Uruguayan striker Alvaro Recoba with Brazilian Adriano, who equalized on 64 minutes to end an embarrassing goal drought he began last March.
The fast and well organized guests from Bergamo threatened first with defender Giampaolo Bellini, whose firm shot was blocked by keeper Julio Cesar before Doni's goal.
Luca Ariatti set up his veteran team mate at the edge of the area for a drive that stunned Julio Cesar. The Brazilian keeper was crucial for Inter before the break managing to deflect a drive from striker Riccardo Zampagna.
Atalanta gradually lost their grit after the break as Inter gathered steam from the fielding of Portugal star Luis Figo for Esteban Cambiasso.
An incredible blunder from Adriano before the gaping goal preceded three missed chances from Hernan Crespo, Patrick Vieira and Figo, all blocked by keeper Alex Calderoni.
Adriano then levelled the score with a diving header and came close again five minutes later heading wide by a hairsbreadth.
Luck lent Inter a hand when they scored the winner on 76 minutes as defender Simone Loria deflected a cross into his own goal as he tried to block a close-range effort from Marco Andreolli.
After a brief interruption due to the hurling of smoke bombs from Atalanta fans, Massimo Donati came close for the guests and Moris Carrozzieri saw his header saved on the goal line by Inter's Brazilian Maxwell.
"It was our most difficult (win, so far) because it was the last after a series of tough games," said Inter coach Roberto Mancini. "We played against a team that plays well.
"Besides some difficulties in the first half, I have to congratulate all my players. I hope this goal, which was very important for us, will be of great help for Adriano."
Palermo are third on 35 points after a 1-1 draw at Siena, while promoted Catania beat Sampdoria 4-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Gionatha Spinesi and lie fourth with 26 points and a game in hand.
Penalized giants AC Milan won 3-0 away to Udinese, Fiorentina, also burdened by a point penalty, crushed 4-0 Messina, without the dismissed Ivory Coast Marco Zoro, while Lazio ignored the first-half dismissal of defender Sebastiano Siviglia rallying with 10 men to take home a 3-1 win from struggling Parma.
Reggina remain second-from-last due to a point penalty after a 4-1 drubbing of Empoli owing much to a brace from striker Nicola Amoruso, while newcomers Torino had Simone Barone sent off but still drew 1-1 at Livorno.
A brace from Croat Sasa Bjelanovic allowed bottom side Ascoli to secure their first win to the season crushing by 3-0 Chievo Verona, who had Nigerian Victor Obinna dismissed in the first half. // © 2006 DPA
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