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Juvetus extend lead as Inter lose to Fiorentina
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-09 08:53
INTER DEFEATED
The post-match mood was bleaker for Inter coach Roberto Mancini, who lamented
his side's inability to convert any of the chances they created through the
game, but said they would be ready to face Juventus on Sunday.
AC Milan's Andriy
Shevchenko challenges Herman Paolo Dellafiore (R) of Treviso during their
Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy
February 8, 2006. [Reuters] | Mancini's team had
dropped just two points in their previous 14 Serie A matches before arriving at
Florence's Franchi stadium.
The game was billed as a face-off between strikers Adriano and Luca Toni but
it was unsung midfielder Cristian Brocchi who put Fiorentina ahead in the 10th
minute with a shot from the edge of the area that dipped under keeper Julio
Cesar.
Inter grew stronger as the first half progressed and it was only a series of
good saves by keeper Bogdan Lobont that preserved Fiorentina's lead at the
break.
Midfielder Luis Jimenez extended Fiore's lead when he hooked a shot round
Inter defender Walter Samuel on the hour.
Although second-half substitute Alvaro Recoba pulled a goal back for Inter
with a late free kick, the visitors lacked their usual fluency.
Of the top three, only Milan enjoyed an easy win as they crushed relegation
candidates Treviso.
Milan kept their powder dry for the second period as Brazilian playmaker Kaka
gave them a slender halftime lead with a goal in the 14th minute.
After the break, though, a 20 minute blitz by Milan from the 53rd minute saw
an Andriy Shevchenko brace and a goal each by Alberto Gilardino and Filippo
Inzaghi complete the rout.
AS Roma (45 points), who are fifth, racked up a club record eighth
consecutive Serie A win after a stoppage-time penalty by Francesco Totti gave
them a 4-3 home victory over Cagliari.
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