Serie A wrap: Fiorentina add to Milan woes, Inter stumble

11 November 2012 17:43

It was a bad day for the Milan clubs as Inter lost at Atalanta and AC Milan slipped up against Fiorentina.

In Sunday night's late game, Inter Milan lost ground on Serie A leader Juventus after suffering a 3-2 loss at Atalanta.

Giacomo Bonaventura nodded Atalanta ahead early in the match but Inter retained control of much of the encounter, despite their patient build-ups amounting to nothing by the break.

The visitors received some reward for their efforts 11 minutes after the break as Freddy Guarin powered in a free kick, but German Denis gave Atalanta the lead once again on the hour, before hsi 67th-minute spot kick extended the advantage.

Rodrigo Palacio pulled one back for Inter six minutes from time but the Nerazzurri could not find an equaliser as they now find themselves four points adrift of Juventus in second place on the Italian table while Atalanta climb to sixth.

AC Milan, meanwhile, crashed back down to earth after they were soundly beaten 3-1 at home to Fiorentina.

Milan were undefeated in three league games heading into the encounter but goals from former midfielder Alberto Aquilani, Borja Valero and Mounir El Hamdaoui ensured that run came to an abrupt end at the San Siro.

Fiorentina hit the front with 10 minutes gone, Adem Ljajic teeing up Aquilani 12 yards from goal, allowing the Italian international to curl it past an outstretched Christian Abbiati.

An opportunity for a Milan equaliser presented itself after Facundo Roncaglia was yellow-carded for clattering into Alexandre Pato inside the 18-yard box on 33 minutes, but the Brazilian striker skied his effort over the crossbar.

Valero capitalised on Massimiliano Allegri's distracted side, burrowing a hole through their defence from the left edge of the box and striking low into the far corner of the net.

Giampaolo Pazzini pulled a goal back on the hour mark, pouncing on a loose ball five yards from goal after Philippe Mexes hit the post from 15 yards with an outrageous backheel.

The goal upped the game's tempo significantly but as Milan went in search of an equaliser, they left plenty of space open around the pitch and El Hamdaoui took full advantage, securing victory with a delightful chip three minutes from time.

Fiorentina stay fourth on the table after Napoli came from behind to beat lowly Genoa 4-2 thanks to three late goals from Edinson Cavani, Marek Hamsik and Lorenzo Insigne, while Milan are 13th with their fourth home defeat in seven league matches.

Lazio earned bragging rights following their 3-2 victory over Roma in the Rome derby, which saw both sides end the match with 10 men.

Argentine Erik Lamela headed home the opener for Roma in the ninth minute before Antonio Candreva levelled proceedings after 35 minutes.

Miroslav Klose doubled Lazio's advantage on the stroke of half-time before their hopes of victory were given a boost moments later when Daniele De Rossi saw red for an elbow on Stefano Mauri.

Mauri made it three for Vladimir Petkovic's side before he was sent off with five minutes remaining, as Roma reduced the deficit from the resulting free kick.

Elsewhere on Sunday, a Paulo Dybala brace inspired Palermo to a 2-0 win over Sampdoria, Torino edged Bologna 1-0, Udinese salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw at Chievo, while Parma and Siena played out a goalless stalemate.