Serie A wrap: Own goal saves Inter

An 82nd-minute own goal by David Astori saved Inter Milan from two straight league defeats in a 2-2 draw with Cagliari.

After losing 3-2 to Atalanta last week, Inter trailed Cagliari 2-1 on Sunday before Astori handed them a share of the spoils.

Rodrigo Palacio put Inter ahead after 10 minutes but Marco Sau equalised for the visitors two minutes before half-time.

Sau struck again in the 66th minute when a volley from Mauricio Pinilla fell to the striker who made no mistake.

Sau’s two goals looked to have been enough to rule out Palacio’s score until Astori’s own goal.

The draw moved second-placed Inter to 28 points, four behind Juventus, while Cagliari are 11th on 16 points.

Fiorentina defeated Atalanta 4-1 on the back of a brace five minutes before half-time from midfielder Alberto Aquilani at Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Gonzalo Javier put Fiorentina in front after six minutes but Giacomo Bonaventura equalised in the 33rd minute off an assist by Cristian Raimondi.

Aquilani’s first goal came after 42 minutes and his second, two minutes into first-half stoppage time, gave Fiorentina a two-goal advantage.

Aquilani turned playmaker early in the second half, assisting Luca Toni to score in the 49th minute.

Fiorentina are fourth on 27 points, nine ahead of Atalanta who are seventh.

Bologna routed Palmero 3-0 with penalties to Manolo Gabbiadini and Alessandro Diamanti both converted spot kicks against the eight-manned side.

Alberto Gilardino scored Bologna’s first after 22 minutes which, combined with Gabbiadini’s 44th minute penalty, gave the home side a 2-0 lead.

Palmero’s three sending-offs came in the second half with goalkeeper Samir Ujkani (46th minute), Edgar Barreto (72nd) and Carlos Labrin (82nd) all being shown red cards by referee Paolo Valeri.

Diamanti’s penalty at the 48th minute ensured Bologna’s upset of the 14th placed Palermo (11), while Bologna are 15th on 11 points.

Catania defeated Chievo 2-1 at Stadio Angelo Massimino with two second-half goals to Sergio Almiron proving the difference.

Almiron added to his 51st-minute opener with a goal five minutes from time.

Marco Andreolli hit the net for Cheivo two minutes into stoppage time but his strike proved to little to late for the visitors.

Siena beat Pescara 1-0 after Francesco Valiani netted 31 minutes in while Udinese (15) drew 2-2 with Parma (16) in a battle between the ninth and tenth placed sides on the table.

More to follow….