Inter’s Europe bid dented, coach says

Balotelli left frustrated as Nice drop vital points

Inter Milan’s bid for a long-awaited return to the Champions League has moved “further” away after a 2-2 draw with Torino that rang “like a defeat” on Saturday, coach Stefano Pioli said.

Inter travelled to the Stadio Olimpico looking for a precious win as they bid to maintain their drive for a return to Europe’s premier club event for the first time since 2012.

But in a match that saw England ‘keeper Joe Hart endure a topsy-turvy night, Torino held on to snatch a point and hold Inter to just their fourth draw of the campaign.

It left Stefano Pioli’s men in fifth, five points off Napoli in third before a trip by the southerners to Empoli on Sunday that is expected to see Maurizio Sarri’s men move eight points ahead of Inter — and closer to securing the third and last Champions League spot.

Lamenting the errors that saw Italy international Eder and Croatia midfielder Ivan Perisic, three times, fail to make the most of late chances, Pioli admitted Inter’s European bid is now compromised.

“It’s further away, yes, because the teams in front of us are strong and are winning Osasuna Espanyol Real Madrid Sociedad

Inter Milan Genoa

Montpellier Lorient Rennes Guingamp Nice

Hertha Berlin Freiburg Leverkusen Darmstadt 98 Leipzig 1 2 0

2 0

1 3 0 0 1

2 1 0 0 0

a lot,” Pioli said when asked about their top three chances.

It was Inter’s last league fixture before the international break, and Pioli added: “Now we have to recover some energy, we’ve had quite a demanding period in both physical and mental terms.”

In Paris, Mario Balotelli endured a frustrating afternoon as Nice dropped two points in the French title race with a 1-1 draw at mid-table Nantes.

Nice had plenty of the ball but Balotelli was well shackled by the home defence and the maverick Italian striker won his side a series of free-kicks in dangerous areas that they failed to make the most of.