Inter's title charge is put on hold

SERIE A:CLAUDIO MARCHISIO blew open the Serie A title race when his superb goal gave 10-man Juventus a 2-1 win over leaders Inter Milan on Saturday.

Inter’s lead has been cut to four points after second-placed AC Milan outclassed Sampdoria 3-0 at the San Siro, while third-placed Juve are a point further back after 15 matches.

Italy midfielder Marchisio danced past Walter Samuel and dinked the ball over Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar just before the hour mark to inflict Inter’s second league defeat this term.

Champions Inter, aiming for a fifth straight scudetto come May, were largely on top when Marchisio struck having equalised after 26 minutes when a completely unmarked Samuel Eto’o nodded in Dejan Stankovic’s cross after a quick free-kick.

Juve had taken the lead after 20 minutes when Diego’s free-kick was headed on by Giorgio Chiellini and the ball deflected in off Lucio.

The match was tough-tackling and the atmosphere electric for one of Serie A’s biggest rivalries but fears Juve fans would racially abuse Inter’s black striker Mario Balotelli failed to materialise.

Juve were forced to play a game behind closed doors last term after supporters sang racist chants towards Balotelli and the authorities had said the game would be suspended if there was more racial abuse on Saturday.

Balotelli was only whistled when he came on after an hour and again was booed after two theatrical falls, one of which led to Felipe Melo’s dismissal late on for a second booking.