Ten-man Inter romp eight points clear

Inter Milan goalscorer Mario Balotelli fires a shot at the Bologna goal.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Italian champions Inter Milan remain on course for fifth straight Serie A title
Jose Mourinho's side move eight points clear at the top after a 3-1 win at Bologna
Victory is marred by sending-off of Brazil defender Maicon for verbal abuse
Parma move into third place after a 3-2 victory away to sixth-placed Fiorentina

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(CNN) -- Italian champions Inter Milan remain on course for a fifth straight title after moving eight points clear at the top with a 3-1 victory at Bologna on Saturday despite having Maicon sent off.

Second-placed Juventus, who have 24 points, will try to reduce the deficit at home to Udinese on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho's Inter side came back from the international break in fine fettle ahead of Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Barcelona.

Argentina striker Diego Milito put the Nerazzurri ahead in the 22nd minute after Lucio headed the ball to him following a corner, but Uruguay forward Marcelo Zalayeta equalized within 60 seconds as he collected Adailton's long pass and fired a shot into goalkeeper Julio Cesar's top right-hand corner.

Inter almost went back in front when playmaker Dejan Stankovic's 36th-minute shot hit both posts, and Mario Balotelli restored Inter's advantage three minutes before halftime with a header from a corner.

In the second half, Milito had a shot tipped onto the bar by Bologna goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano after being set up by strike partner Samuel Eto'o, and Esteban Cambiasso sealed victory in the 72nd minute.

The Argentina midfielder pounced when Bologna's Miguel Britos left a cross from Milito, and placed his shot into the far corner.

Inter then had Brazil defender Maicon dismissed in time added on for verbally abusing an assistant referee.

Parma moved into third place above AC Milan after a 3-2 victory away to sixth-placed Fiorentina, who had a man sent off late.

Italy striker Alberto Gilardino put the home side ahead with a header in the 25th minute but Parma forward Nicola Amoruso leveled five minutes later after Cristian Zaccardo beat the offside trap.

Bulgaria frontman Valeri Bojinov gave the visitors a 52nd-minute lead from Daniele Galloppa's high ball before Gilardino struck again with another header 10 minutes later, but substitute Davide Lanzafame netted Parma's winner on 67 to leave the Ducali a point behind Juve after 13 matches.

La Viola ended the match with 10 men after Marco Donadel received a second yellow card with three minutes left.

AC Milan can return to third place in Sunday's home match with eighth-placed Cagliari.