The Inter - Atalanta game had an absurd feel to it as both managers were serving suspensions for their transgressions last week. Inter lined up with the same formation as in the midweek with an attacking trident of Balotelli-Eto'o-Milito.
The move looked to have paid dividends as Milito grabbed his tenth of the season with a quarter of an hour gone. Milito displayed all the strength of his Rambo look-alike Sylvester Stallone to hold off two defenders before firing in.
Sneijder who hits the post in almost every game did so again today with a cracker of a shot which ricocheted of the upright. Inter thought they had doubled their lead when Lucio headed in a freekick but the double barrel shotgun-chested Brazilian was offside.
Sneijder was a tad bit unlucky to be sent off for his second bookable offence after a late tackle on Guarente. With Inter down to ten men, Baresi decided to try to sit and protect the lead. Why managers even try this doomed tactic is beyond me...
Atalanta had more open spaces to exploit and one could see Antonio Conte shouting instructions in an ear-piece to his assistant on the touchlines. Seeing him in that closed VIP box directing his team, made me feel as if I was watching some Bourne thriller with the CIA guys in their suits and mouth-pieces.
The pressure finally paid off as Tiribocchi equalized with only eight minutes left on the clock. The goal suddenly woke up the Inter players who attacked relentlessly until the final whistle but some good defending and better goalkeeping kept them out.
Milan Finally Lose
The past few months have seen Milan go on an incredible unbeaten streak. They have been plain awful at times but still got the result with some last minute goals. However, today they finally got what was coming after another insipid performance saw them lose at home to Palermo.
Milan drafted the discoverer of fire, old Giussepe Favalli, into their defence. The first half was full of action as both sides created a host of chances but neither team really troubled the keeper.
The deadlock was broken just minutes into the second half by the 2 ft 2 inches Fabrizio Miccoli with superb strike. I am sure the reason all these hobbit sized players score so much is because no one can spot them.
Miccoli was up to it again after he positively made a mockery out of two Milan players before crossing in. The ball made its way to Bresciano who made no mistake in front of goal.
With Milan two behind Leonardo tried his best to push as many men forward as possible. Pato and Inzaghi entered the fray but Palermo eventually played out to the final whistle and registered a deserved win.
The results meant that Inter now lead Milan at the top by five points with 36 points from their 16 games. Juventus are third with 31.
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