Masterful Mihajlovic inspires Inter
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Article summary
Two spectacular Sinisa Mihajlovic free-kicks ensured FC Internazionale Milano defeated AS Roma 2-0.
Article body
By Paolo Corradini
Two spectacular free-kick from Sinisa Mihajlovic helped FC Internazionale Milano to a 2-0 win against sixth-placed AS Roma tonight, moving his side into the Serie A top three - while S.S. Lazio came from behind to pip bottom club Atalanta BC.
Free-kick goals
In the 23rd minute Mihajlovic's first curling effort beat Roma goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli. After the break, both Esteban Matias Cambiasso and Dejan Stankovic missed good chances for the home side but then, in injury time, Roma defender Philippe Mexes was sent off for a second yellow card foul on Obafemi Martins and Mihajlovic scored from the resulting free-kick - again a swerving shot - to seal the win for unbeaten Inter. Udinese can reclaim third place if they beat leaders Juventus FC in the pick of Sunday's fixtures.
Lazio relief
Atalanta had hopes of a shock win in the capital when Nigeria striker Ayodele Stephen Makinwa rose unmarked to glance a header past Lazio goalkeeper Matteo Sereni just before the break and claim his first Serie A goal. But Lazio equalised almost immediately with a header of their own from Fabio Bazzani and scored the decisive goal two minutes from time thanks to Fabio Liverani's angled short-range effort. Lazio are now four points clear of the relegation zone.
