Under-pressure Benitez sees Inter slump to Lazio
Sunday, 5 December 2010
ROME, Dec 4 (AFP): Inter Milan slumped to a dispiriting 3-1 defeat at Lazio Friday leaving coach Rafael Benitez under renewed pressure just as the former Liverpool boss thought he had turned the corner with the Serie A and European champions. Inter, who face a trip to the Middle East for the World Club Cup in two weeks' time, stay in sixth place, seven points behind leaders AC Milan who face struggling Brescia Saturday.
Lazio are second behind Milan on goal difference and despite having taken just five points in their previous five league outings before Friday, they still had too much firepower for Inter.
They were ahead after 26 minutes when Giuseppe Biava scored a freak goal.
Inter goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi pushed a cross into the path of Esteban Cambiasso whose clearance rebounded off Biava's chest and into the goal.
Mauro Zarate doubled the advantage in the 52nd minute before Macedonian international Goran Pandev cut the deficit 22 minutes later with his first goal since February.
Inter were unlucky not to be level when an Ivan Cordoba header was cleared off the line and a Wesley Sneijder drive came back off the crossbar.
Lazio made the most of their good fortune by grabbing the third in the 89th minute through Brazilian midfielder Hernanes who scored from a direct free kick.
Lazio are second behind Milan on goal difference and despite having taken just five points in their previous five league outings before Friday, they still had too much firepower for Inter.
They were ahead after 26 minutes when Giuseppe Biava scored a freak goal.
Inter goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi pushed a cross into the path of Esteban Cambiasso whose clearance rebounded off Biava's chest and into the goal.
Mauro Zarate doubled the advantage in the 52nd minute before Macedonian international Goran Pandev cut the deficit 22 minutes later with his first goal since February.
Inter were unlucky not to be level when an Ivan Cordoba header was cleared off the line and a Wesley Sneijder drive came back off the crossbar.
Lazio made the most of their good fortune by grabbing the third in the 89th minute through Brazilian midfielder Hernanes who scored from a direct free kick.