SPORT

Inter Milan Clear as Cagliari Stun Juventus

By Barnaby Chesterman

Agence France Presse

ROME — Sardinian minnows Cagliari stunned Juventus 2-0 allowing leaders Inter Milan to open up a seven-point lead at the top of Serie A following a controversial 1-0 success over Fiorentina on Sunday.

AC Milan moved up to second place after Dutch flop Klaas-Jan Huntelaar finally came good and scored two goals deep into injury time to secure a crucial 2-0 victory at Catania.

Juve’s title chances took a serious hit as they were well beaten by an energetic Cagliari team who won their fifth match in six - their only defeat in that spell a thrilling 4-3 reverse at the San Siro against Milan.

It means Juve now have a must win clash at home to Inter next weekend, but coach Ciro Ferrara was more interested about the points lost this week.

“Were Juve disappointing? I think we were watching different games,” he said when asked about the match.

“In the first half we had some difficulties but in the second we had several chances.

“Of course I’m disappointed about the gap to Inter and our inconsistent performances but today’s defeat wasn’t deserved,” he added.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho said the gap between the two teams was irrelevant, before swatting away questions about Inter’s confidence since being beaten 2-0 by Barcelona in midweek, pointing out that their main rivals had suffered much worse defeats this season.

“Being eight points ahead of them doesn’t matter, it could be five or we could be level. It doesn’t change anything — we will be going to Turin to win,” he said.

“They (Barca) destroyed us, that’s the right word but I believe other defeats have hurt Italian football more, such as a home loss to FC Zurich (Milan were beaten 1-0 in the San Siro) or one away to Bordeaux (where Juve lost 2-0).”

In Sardinia, Cagliari had much the better of the first period and deservedly took the lead on the half hour through a sensational goal by Brazilian Nene.

From a quickly taken free-kick he took a touch and hit a rocket into the top corner from 25 yards and at an angle that beat Buffon at his near post.

Four minutes into the second period Juve had the ball in the net when Amauri headed home Martin Caceres’s cross but it was ruled out for a narrow offside.

Francesco Pissano saved Cagliari 10 minutes from time with a crucial diving block to stop a Christian Molinaro volley from six yards out before goalkeeper Federico Marchetti palmed away a dangerous Alessandro Del Piero free-kick.

Substitute Alessandro Matri sealed the victory a minute from time as he ran onto a Jeda flick-on, beat Fabio Cannavaro on the outside and shot under Buffon.

Substitute Huntelaar’s late goals, three and five minutes into injury time, settle a dreadful affair and earned Milan a win they didn’t deserve.

But it was a great moment for the former Real Madrid striker who has had a torrid time since moving to Italy and is rumoured to be leaving in the January transfer window.

“I want to play for Milan, I will fight here,” he insisted. “Today is a nice moment, you need a goal because the beginning didn't start well, so it’s good now.”

Inter dominated Fiorentina but needed a helping hand from the referee to turn that into three points.

Inter finally secured victory thanks to a dubious penalty award after Milito flopped comically to the ground in the box under minimal contact from Gianluca Comotto.

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