SERIE A leaders Inter Milan could only draw 1-1 at home to Torino yesterday while David Beckham was again the inspiration as AC Milan climbed up to second.
Rolando Bianchi gave Torino the lead with a header just after the break before defender Nicolas Burdisso nodded the equaliser for the champions, who piled on the pressure in the closing stages and hit the post twice.
Inter’s lead remains six points after Milan moved above Juventus with a 3-0 win at Lazio in last night’s late game. Juventus lost 3-2 at home to Cagliari on Saturday and now lie seven points behind Inter.
Since 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 inconsistent pattern with Inter only coming to life late on after a forgettable first half. Hernan Crespo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the woodwork for the leaders in a frantic finish.
In-form Beckham, on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, crossed for Milan team-mate Alexandre Pato to score on 42 minutes and then whipped in a free-kick which Massimo Ambrosini headed home early in the second half.
Kaka netted late on but Lazio had their opportunities with Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati producing some fine saves.
