Inter draw comfort from Cruz

By Paolo Menicucci

FC Internazionale Milano climbed up to third in Serie A on Saturday despite being held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man S.S. Lazio on former Lazio coach Roberto Mancini's return to the Stadio Olimpico.

Cruz control
Antonio Filippini converted a fine pass from his twin Emanuele a minute before the interval to put the home side in front, but Inter took command after the break. Giuliano Giannichedda was sent off for a second bookable offence 11 minutes into the second-half and 14 minutes after that Inter drew level when Julio Cruz beat Lazio goalkeeper Matteo Sereni with an excellent header.

Stankovic chance
Inter continued to press after the goal, and Dejan Stankovic had a couple of good chances to snatch victory, but his late effort from distance bounced back off the post. The draw takes Inter above UC Sampdoria into third on goal difference, but Mancini's side still trail joint leaders AC Milan and Juventus FC by 13 points. Milan are at home to fourth-placed Sampdoria on Sunday while Juventus travel to AC Chievo Verona.

Lecce held
In Saturday's other match, ACF Fiorentina fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at US Lecce and pick up a useful point in their relegation struggle. A 24th-minute free-kick from Sam Dalla Bona and a strike from Mirko Vucinic six minutes later made it 2-0 to Lecce, but Danish winger Martin Jorgensen pulled one back for Fiorentina two minutes after the restart and four minutes from the end Christian Maggio slotted in the equaliser.