Candreva ruins Inter’s party
Milan, Dec. 21: Italy international Antonio Candreva struck twice including a late winner as Lazio stunned leaders Inter Milan 2- 1 on Sunday to throw the Serie ‘ A’ title race wide open.
Inter welcomed Stefano Pioli’s men to the San Siro expected to restore their four- point lead on title rivals Fiorentina and Napoli after their respective wins over Chievo and Atalanta.
But despite Mauro Icardi levelling Candreva’s fifthminute opener just after the hour, Roberto Mancini's league leaders were stunned three minutes from time when Candreva hit his second to end Lazio’s seven- game winless streak and bolster Pioli's bid to avoid the chop.
Inter’s third defeat in 17 games left the Nerazzurri top of the pile but they now have a lead of just one point on Fiorentina and Napoli, three on champions Juventus and four on Roma, who occupy fifth spot.
AC Milan sit in sixth at eight points off the pace after Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men battled to a 4- 2 win away to Frosinone.
A bad- tempered finish rubbed salt into Inter’s wounds, with Brazilian Felipe Melo issued a straight red card in the final minute for a spectacular karate kick on compatriot Lucas Biglia.
Moments later, Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic- Savic was also issued his marching orders, for a second bookable offence.
“It’s all our own fault. I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed because it’s ruined our Christmas,” Mancini said.
“Playing badly can happen, but there’s no need to make stupid mistakes and lose the game like we did tonight,” he added.
In Florence, Nikola Kalinic broke the deadlock in the 20th minute and strike partner Josip Ilicic doubled Fiorentina’s lead with a fine dipping strike to secure their 11th win of the campaign.
Atalanta, who stunned Roma 0- 2 in the Italian capital a fortnight ago, had pledged to make life hard for Napoli in Bergamo.
But seven minutes into the second half Napoli captain Marek Hamsik struck from the penalty spot and although Atalanta pulled level two minutes later thanks to Alejandro Gomez, Gonzalo Higuain restored the visitors’ lead with a flicked- on header.