Inter rides on debutant Pazzini's brace
Source: Agencies |
February 1, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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SUBSTITUTE Giampaolo Pazzini scored twice and won a penalty on a dream debut as Serie A champion Inter Milan rallied from 0-2 down to beat visiting Palermo 3-2 in an enthralling encounter on Sunday.
Second-placed Napoli also put on a show, thrashing Pazzini's now toothless former club Sampdoria 4-0 with rampant Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani netting another hat-trick as it cut the gap with leader AC Milan back to four points.
Faltering Juventus lost again, 1-2 at home to in-form Udinese, as the gulf in class between the fallen Turin giants and the other top teams continues to be apparent.
In one of the best matches of the season, fourth-placed Inter found itself trailing to first-half goals from Fabrizio Miccoli and Antonio Nocerino despite dominating.
Pazzini, signed on Friday, was thrown on at the break and soon scored with a superb turn-and-shot before Palermo's Javier Pastore had a penalty saved by fit-again Julio Cesar.
Trademark goal
Leaping like a salmon for a trademark goal, Pazzini then planted a bullet header into the bottom corner from Maicon's freekick and Samuel Eto'o completed the victory from the spot 14 minutes from time after Pazzini was pulled back.
"It was impossible to think it would go like this, it seems like a dream," Italy forward Pazzini told Sky.
"It's been an extraordinary afternoon full of emotion, joy and satisfaction. It's a day that will be difficult to forget."
Inter coach Leonardo, whose side lost its first match under his month-long stewardship last weekend at Udinese, took a big gamble at 0-2 down at halftime by sending on Pazzini and fellow new signing Houssine Kharja.
The European champion was already ravaged by injury and suspension and the substitutions made it even more unbalanced with Pazzini lining up in a front three with Eto'o and Diego Milito which is unlikely to suit his game long-term.
However, in the end, sheer will dragged Inter through and it stayed nine behind Milan, 2-0 winners at Catania.
AS Roma's game at Bologna was abandoned at 0-0 after 18 minutes because of snow.
Second-placed Napoli also put on a show, thrashing Pazzini's now toothless former club Sampdoria 4-0 with rampant Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani netting another hat-trick as it cut the gap with leader AC Milan back to four points.
Faltering Juventus lost again, 1-2 at home to in-form Udinese, as the gulf in class between the fallen Turin giants and the other top teams continues to be apparent.
In one of the best matches of the season, fourth-placed Inter found itself trailing to first-half goals from Fabrizio Miccoli and Antonio Nocerino despite dominating.
Pazzini, signed on Friday, was thrown on at the break and soon scored with a superb turn-and-shot before Palermo's Javier Pastore had a penalty saved by fit-again Julio Cesar.
Trademark goal
Leaping like a salmon for a trademark goal, Pazzini then planted a bullet header into the bottom corner from Maicon's freekick and Samuel Eto'o completed the victory from the spot 14 minutes from time after Pazzini was pulled back.
"It was impossible to think it would go like this, it seems like a dream," Italy forward Pazzini told Sky.
"It's been an extraordinary afternoon full of emotion, joy and satisfaction. It's a day that will be difficult to forget."
Inter coach Leonardo, whose side lost its first match under his month-long stewardship last weekend at Udinese, took a big gamble at 0-2 down at halftime by sending on Pazzini and fellow new signing Houssine Kharja.
The European champion was already ravaged by injury and suspension and the substitutions made it even more unbalanced with Pazzini lining up in a front three with Eto'o and Diego Milito which is unlikely to suit his game long-term.
However, in the end, sheer will dragged Inter through and it stayed nine behind Milan, 2-0 winners at Catania.
AS Roma's game at Bologna was abandoned at 0-0 after 18 minutes because of snow.
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