Inter drops points at home

Serie A leaders Inter Milan could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Torino on Sunday as their inconsistent form continued.

Rolando Bianchi gave Torino the lead with a header just after the break before defender Nicolas Burdisso nodded the equaliser for Inter, who piled on the pressure in the closing stages and hit the post twice.

Champions Inter failed to take full advantage of second-placed Juventus losing 3-2 at home to Cagliari on Saturday and now hold a seven-point lead which third-placed AC Milan can cut to six with a win at Lazio later.

Since returning from the mid-season break, Inter have drawn with Cagliari, been easily beaten at Atalanta, scraped a win at home to Sampdoria and played well in Wednesday's 2-0 victory at Catania.

The Torino game followed the patchy pattern with Inter only really coming to life late on after a forgettable first half.

Bianchi expertly arched his neck to head home with goalkeeper Julio Cesar slightly
wrongfooted at the start of the second half but Burdisso brought the champions level after Torino goalkeeper Matteo Sereni failed to claim the ball.

Hernan Crespo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck the woodwork in a frantic finish and Inter substitute Ricardo Quaresma, heckled by his own fans, spurned a great chance. Torino's Ignazio Abate was also lucky not to concede a penalty for handball.

'I never like drawing at home but I accept it. We created lots of chances but Torino defended with a fantastic spirit,' Inter coach Jose Mourinho told Sky as he bemoaned the absence of the suspended Sulley Muntari and Dejan Stankovic's first-half injury.

Genoa remain fourth thanks to Domenico Criscito's 88th minute goal in a 1-0 home win over Palermo.

The hosts deserved their victory after laying siege to the visiting goal for long periods.

AS Roma, who had won their last four league games, are fifth after drawing 2-2 at bottom side Reggina on a very muddy pitch.

Striker Bernardo Corradi put the hosts ahead with a penalty but a David Pizarro brace gave Roma the lead before Francesco Cozza capitalised on Simone Loria's mistake.

Bologna's clash with Fiorentina was postponed until Monday because of snow.

RTE