Juvetus extend lead as Inter lose to Fiorentina
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-09 08:53

INTER DEFEATED

The post-match mood was bleaker for Inter coach Roberto Mancini, who lamented his side's inability to convert any of the chances they created through the game, but said they would be ready to face Juventus on Sunday.

AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko challenges Herman Paolo Dellafiore (R) of Treviso during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy February 8, 2006. [Reuters]

Mancini's team had dropped just two points in their previous 14 Serie A matches before arriving at Florence's Franchi stadium.

The game was billed as a face-off between strikers Adriano and Luca Toni but it was unsung midfielder Cristian Brocchi who put Fiorentina ahead in the 10th minute with a shot from the edge of the area that dipped under keeper Julio Cesar.

Inter grew stronger as the first half progressed and it was only a series of good saves by keeper Bogdan Lobont that preserved Fiorentina's lead at the break.

Midfielder Luis Jimenez extended Fiore's lead when he hooked a shot round Inter defender Walter Samuel on the hour.

Although second-half substitute Alvaro Recoba pulled a goal back for Inter with a late free kick, the visitors lacked their usual fluency.

Of the top three, only Milan enjoyed an easy win as they crushed relegation candidates Treviso.

Milan kept their powder dry for the second period as Brazilian playmaker Kaka gave them a slender halftime lead with a goal in the 14th minute.

After the break, though, a 20 minute blitz by Milan from the 53rd minute saw an Andriy Shevchenko brace and a goal each by Alberto Gilardino and Filippo Inzaghi complete the rout.

AS Roma (45 points), who are fifth, racked up a club record eighth consecutive Serie A win after a stoppage-time penalty by Francesco Totti gave them a 4-3 home victory over Cagliari.