ITALIAN SERIE A: MARIO BALOTELLI struck twice and Hernan Crespo scored a late equaliser as leaders Inter Milan rallied to draw 3-3 with AS Roma in a thrilling match at the San Siro last night.
First-half goals from Daniele De Rossi and John Arne Riise had Roma on top while Matteo Brighi briefly restored their two-goal advantage after Balotelli side-footed his first goal five minutes into the second.
The teenage striker, in the starting line-up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the bench because of a muscle problem, narrowed the gap again with penalty in the 63rd and substitute Crespo, making a rare appearance, completed the comeback with a header in the 79th.
After 26 games Inter, who started the weekend nine points in front, have 60 points, seven more than second-placed Juventus, 1-0 winners over Napoli in Turin on Saturday.
AC Milan’s form crisis deepened earlier earlier yesterday with a 2-1 defeat at Sampdoria. Goals by Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini condemned them to defeat, leaving coach Carlo Ancelotti’s position looking precarious.
Cassano headed the hosts in front in the 33rd and his strike partner Pazzini stretched the lead six minutes into the second half with his fifth goal in as many games. Brazilian Alexandre Pato pulled one back for Milan 10 minutes from time to set up an exciting finale.
Ancelotti had already called third-placed Milan out of the title race, saying a top three finish for direct entry into next season’s Champions League was the target after being knocked out of the Uefa Cup by Werder Bremen on Thursday.
Even that modest objective now looks in peril, although Fiorentina missed the chance to join Milan in third when they were held 1-1 at bottom side Reggina.
