Parma caused an upset at the Stadio Olimpico, winning 2-1 against a Lazio side that has stumbled in recent times.

Valeri Bojinov opened the scoring after a cross from the right saw the Bulgarian finish with a left-footed volley.

The referee signalled a penalty when a challenge McDonald Mariga saw Julio Cruz falter in his steps. While some critics may call it a harsh decision, a penalty was what the man in charge appeared certain of, and Mauro Zarate promptly put the hosts back on terms.

Nicola Amoruso slotted home the winner from the spot kick, after Aleksandr Kolarov was sent off for a booking due to a tackle on Bojinov, following some remonstrations with the referee that earned him an early shower.

Lazio 1-2 Parma
Bojinov 21 (P), Zarate pen 42 (L), Amoruso pen 45 (P)

Lazio: Muslera; Liechtsteiner, Siviglia (Cribari 36), Diakitè, Kolarov; Mauri, Dabo, Baronio (Meghni 76); Matuzalem (Foggia 46); Cruz, Zarate

Parma: Mirante; Zaccardo, Dellafiore (Paci 69), Lucarelli; Zenoni, Mariga, Galloppa, Dzemaili (Morrone 77), Castellini; Amoruso (Paloschi 83), Bojinov

Ref: Velotto

Sent off: Kolarov 45 (L)

Inter cruised past Napoli with a 3-1 victory, ensuring that they climbed up to the top of the table.

The Nerazzurri took only two minutes to break the deadlock, as a header by Walter Samuel was warded off, and arrived for Diego Milito, who had trouble capitalising on his chance. In the meanwhile, Samuel Eto’o reigned supreme in the confusion surrounding the goalkeeper, and promptly sent the ball home to give his side the lead.

The visitors took another blow three minutes later, when Maicon sent in one to Diego Milito, who easily finished and doubled the lead in the process. After thirty minutes, Lucio bagged a goal to kill any chance that the Naples based team may have had, while Ezequiel Lavezzi bagged one that reduced the lead.

As Roberto Donadoni’s charges lunged forward in the second period, the Biscion withdrew its fangs and concentrated on counterattacking their opponents. Since the travellers were unable to break the San Siro defence, Inter ran away with three points on the day.

Inter 3-1 Napoli
Eto’o 2 (I), Milito 5 (I), Lucio 32 (I), Lavezzi 37 (N)

Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio (Cordoba 89), Samuel, Chivu; Stankovic, Cambiasso, Zanetti; Sneijder (Muntari 46); Milito, Eto’o (Mancini 90)

Napoli: De Sanctis; Santacroce (Aronica 60), Cannavaro, Contini; Maggio (Denis 68), Gargano, Bogliacino (Pazienza 85), Zuniga, Hamsik; Quagliarella, Lavezzi

Ref: Trefoloni

Football Italiano

As Felipe Melo is bound to shift his base of operations to Turin, the Viola have begun looking for a replacement to reinforce the squad. Reports on La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the Florence based club has identified Porto’s Fernando as a good replacement for the departing player.

Fernando arrived in Porto after spending two seasons with Vila Nova, a Brazilian football club. He was immediately loaned to Estrela da Amadora, where he got a decent amount of time on the pitch. The 21-year-old then returned to the Dragoes and greatly impressed with the Portuguese outfit last season, which has now made the Italian club look in his direction.

Football Italiano