Internazionale Maintains Pole Position: Inter Milan’s 4-3 Win At San Siro Keeps Nerazzurri Top

Internazionale is one point away from their fifth consecutive scudetto after their 4-3 over Chievo Sunday at the San Siro.

Inter Milan got an early own goal - canceling out a Thiago Motta own goal - before well taken goals from Esteban Cambiasso and Diego Milito put the Nerazzurri up 3-1 at half. Cambiasso, taking a cross at the far post, one timed a left-footed volley across goal, just inside the post to give Inter a 2-1 lead. A deft chip from Milito that bearly cleared a leaping Stefano Sorrentino but Inter up two by intermission.

Mario Balotelli put the league leaders up three seven minutes in before goals by Paulo Granoche and Sergio Pellissier pulled Chievo within one with fifteen minutes left.

That final quarter hour saw Inter bombard Chievo’s goal, the Flying Donkeys fortunate to leave the San Siro with a one goal defeat.

At one point, it looked as if Inter’s win would secure the 2009-10 Serie A title, Roma having fallen behind Calgiari at the Stadio Olimpico. Andrea Lazzari’s 73rd minute goal sent the Nerazzurri faithful abuzz when the tally was announced on the San Siro’s scoreboard. Roma, however, got a late brace from captain Francesco Totti to claim the three points and remain within two ahead of next week’s trip to Chievo.

Inter will close the season at Siena where, should Roma win, Milano will need three points, having lost the season’s head-to-head tiebreaker with the Giallorossi.

Fourth Place

Sampdoria saw their five match winning streak snapped at Palermo on Sunday; however, Samp stayed two points clear of the Aguile in the fight for fourth place and the final Champions League spot, earning a 1-1 draw.

Two second half penalty kicks converted by each team’s star - Giampaolo Pazzini for Sampdoria, Fabrizio Miccolo for Palermo - led to the 1-1 result that could prove decisive in the race for fourth, though Palermo have the much easier fixture to close the season.

The Aguile go to Serie B-bound Atalanta next Sunday while Sampdoria host sixth place Napoli. Napoli, however, has nothing to play for, though on talent alone they remain a threat to Samp’s Champions League dreams.

Relegation

Atalanta’s 2-0 loss at Napoli ensures the other Nerazzurri will join Siena and Livorno in Serie B next season. A brace by Fabio Quagliarella puts Atalanta six points behind 17th place Bologna with one match to play.