Thaindian News

Rome, Sep 27 (DPA) Champions Inter Milan crashed to a 1-0 defeat Saturday at Sampdoria, who leapfrogged them to go top in the Italian Serie A with a goal from Riccardo Pazzini.
Samp have 15 points from six games, two clear of Inter, but could lose the leading position if Juventus, also on 13, beat minnows Bologna Sunday.

Fiorentina are on 13 points thanks to a 1-0 win snatched at Livorno in a late Saturday game.

A second-half spot kick converted by just-fielded Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic sealed the Florence side’s win in the Tuscany derby.

Fiorentina played the last six minutes without defender Dario Dainelli as the captain received a second yellow card.

Earlier in Genoa, Jose Mourinho’s side started off with the young Mario Balotelli added to Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito for a three-pronged attack package that only came close for the first time in the 23rd minute with Esteban Cambiasso.

The Argentine midfielder connected with a low feed from Milito, but his drive lacked the pace to beat Luca Castellazzi.

Samp’s first chance was squandered in the 28th minute as Angelo Palombo skewed a volley when he could have slammed home a loose ball from a few metres away.

Not much happened in a first half marked by a very tactical midfield game from both sides and a couple of defence-splitting feeds from Samp’s inspired play maker Antonio Cassano.

Balotelli came close to scoring a lucky goal in the 55th minute when his wide drive was deflected home by a defender, while, three minutes later, the Inter defence managed to tip wide Pazzini’s goal-bound volley.

A long-range volley from Eto’o flew wide before Pazzini put the Genoa hosts one up in the 72nd minute with a winning flick that left no chance to Julio Cesar.