Mourinho made to wait as Inter fail to wrap up Serie A

Internazionale's hopes of sealing their fourth consecutive Serie A title were put on hold after drawing 2-2 at Chievo yesterday.

Hernan Crespo, making a rare start with Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended, put Jose Mourinho's side ahead after three minutes when he pounced to score after keeper Stefano Sorrentino spilled a tame shot from Esteban Cambiasso.

Michele Marcolini hit back for Chievo with a superb 25-yards strike midway through the first half but an equally well-struck goal from Mario Balotelli put the champions back in front in the second half only for Luciano, a former Inter player, to volley in at the back post.

The point meant Chievo moved six points clear of the drop zone where little changed given fourth-bottom Torino drew 1-1 at home with third-bottom Bologna and fellow strugglers Lecce were held 1-1 by Napoli.

Fiorentina strengthened their grip on the fourth Champions League spot with a 2-0 win at Catania with Stevan Jovetic and Luciano Zauri scoring either side of the break.

Fifth-placed Genoa slipped three points behind after drawing 1-1 at Atalanta while Roma's Champions League hopes ended after a fiery 2-2 draw at Cagliari.

Roma, whose coach Luciano Spalletti has been criticised by supporters, dropped 10 points behind Fiorentina but have a two-point advantage over Palermo in the race for what is likely to be the final Europa League berth via Serie A.

In Germany, Mario Gomez hit four goals to inspire VfB Stuttgart to a 4-1 victory over Bundesliga leaders VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday which threw the title race wide open with three matches left.

Wolfsburg were joined at the top by champions Bayern Munich who won 3-1 at Energie Cottbus.

With all the teams in action again tomorrow or on Wednesday, Wolfsburg lead on goal difference from Bayern on 60 points. Hertha Berlin are a point behind after beating VfL Bochum 2-0 while fourth-placed Stuttgart complete the title log-jam on 58. Borussia Dortmund hammered bottom team Karlsruhe 4-0 to move to fifth.

In France, Guingamp became only the second Ligue 2 team to win the French Cup when they stunned their Brittany neighbours Rennes 2-1 in Saturday's final at the Stade de France.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Special report: Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported

Special report

Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported
The problem with social mobility

The problem with social mobility

Politicians who say they want to break down Britain's social barriers have been told to unlock closed-shop professions – starting in their own backyard
France's sixth biggest city* goes to the polls (*that's London, by the way)

France's sixth biggest city* goes to the polls (*that's London, btw)

Next month expats in the stronghold of South Kensington will have a big say in who is returned as the first French overseas MP
Aftershock: How Haiti's quake hit the whole of Hispaniola

Aftershock: How Haiti's quake hit the whole of Hispaniola

Two years on from the disaster that shook the Caribbean state, its eastern neighbour, the Dominican Republic, fears a new wave of illegal immigrants could hurt its economy
Mean streets at the movies

Mean streets at the movies

Plan B's new film explores the urban tensions that led to last summer's riots – and he's not the only one finding cinematic inspiration in social unrest
Romney hits the magic number, but his smartphone app fails crucial spelling test

Romney hits the magic number...

... but his smartphone app fails crucial spelling test
Car-crash TV: Ferrari quits news after gaffes, rows and poor ratings

Car-crash TV: Ferrari quits news after gaffes, rows and poor ratings

Weeks after the demise of Sarkozy, the TF1 star he's said to have dated finds herself out of office too
Meet your doctor (please don't unplug it)

Meet your doctor (please don't unplug it)

Can a network of hi-tech terminals and online medics make the connection?
The 10 Best cycling gear

The 10 Best cycling gear

It’s summer, it's sunny... it’s the perfect time to get on your bike.
Song of the suicide bomber: How 'Babur in London' negotiated a cultural minefield

Song of the suicide bomber

Daring new opera 'Babur in London' features British terrorists planning an attack.
The school that brought the International Baccalaureate to the East End

Bringing the IB to the East End

The International Baccalaureate is not just for pupils in leafy suburbs.
England must beware brilliant Belgium

England must beware brilliant Belgium

They may have missed out on the Euros but the Belgians have a rash of young players who, thanks to the unifying skills of their coach, look to have a bright future
James Lawton: Liverpool must show new man the respect he needs to do the job

James Lawton

Liverpool must show new man the respect he needs to do the job
2012: the year when England's support decided to stay at home

2012: the year when England's support decided to stay at home

Three Lions will play their Euro 2012 games in front of only a few thousand of their fans
What's wrong with Rory?

What's wrong with Rory?

Is the trouble with the defending US Open champion in his head, in his swing, with his girlfriend – or is it all in the minds of others?