Skip to main content

Balotelli strike gives Inter late victory

  • Story Highlights
  • Teenager Mario Balotelli scores a late winner as Inter Milan beat Bologna 2-1
  • The victory sees Inter remain nine clear of Juventus, who defeat Palermo 2-0
  • Roma move up to fourth place in the table after a 1-0 home victory over Siena
  • Next Article in World Sport »
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

(CNN) -- Teenage striker Mario Balotelli scored a late winner as Inter Milan maintained their nine-point advantage over Juventus at the top of Serie A with a 2-1 victory at Bologna.

Esteban Cambiasso celebrates his opening goal in Inter Milan's 2-1 victory at Bologna.

Esteban Cambiasso celebrates his opening goal in Inter Milan's 2-1 victory at Bologna.

Balotelli scored direct from a free-kick wide on the left with eight minutes remaining as Inter delivered a perfect warm-up for next Tuesday's titanic Champions League last 16 clash against holders Manchester United.

Inter went ahead in the 57th minute when Adriano headed down Maicon's corner to Esteban Cambiasso, who was left unmarked to control the ball before rifling home into the roof of the net.

But the home side surprisingly equalized 11 minutes from time when Miguel Britos glanced home a header from a corner, despite Cambiasso standing next to the post.

Football Fanzone
Football fans, the chance to have YOUR say on CNN is here!

Inter coach Jose Mourinho immediately responded by throwing Balotelli on as a substitute and the decision paid dividends with his match-winning free-kick, although the positioning of goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli appeared suspect.

Marco Di Vaio could have snatched a draw in the final minute but Julio Cesar made a superb save from his close-range header.

Meanwhile, Juventus remain in second place after a 2-0 win at Palermo in the late Saturday match.

Juve took the lead against the run of play on 27 minutes when Momo Sissoko strode forward before thrashing a shot into the top corner.

Former France forward David Trezeguet made the points safe with the second goal from close range 11 minutes from time -- his first of the season.

Roma set themselves up for next week's Champions League visit to Arsenal by moving up to fourth in the table with a 1-0 home win over Siena.

Brazilian Rodrigo Taddei's superb curling effort gave Roma the points, moving them to within two points of third-placed AC Milan.

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print