Inter held by lowly Bologna

Milan: Argentine striker Diego Milito missed a late penalty as Inter Milan’s Europa League hopes were kept in check by a 2-2 draw with relegation threatened Bologna at the San Siro on Saturday. Inter remained fifth with a three point lead on Parma but the pressure is now on coach Walter Mazzarri, whose side have now failed to win in their last four league outings.

Despite Milito coming off the bench and missing what was Inter’s first league penalty award since May 2013, Mazzarri refused to blame any of his side. “It was logical that Milito stepped up to take the penalty  he’s always taken them and he had fresher legs than Rodrigo Palacio at that stage of the game,” Mazzarri told Sky Sport.
“We gave it everything and although I don’t think we were unlucky we simply had things go against us.“Bologna’s first goal went in through a crowded area and their second because Rolando slipped.”

However Mazzarri, who led Napoli to the runner-up spot last year, added: “It’s the fourth time we’ve dropped points following a strong performance that I thought we should have won.“Now, somehow I need to lift the team’s morale.”

Muro Icardi scored a brace for the hosts and after just six minutes allayed early fears when he got on the end of Yuto Nagatomo’s cross from the left to sweep a volley past Gianluca Curci. Bologna pulled level in spectacular fashion.

Handanovic blocked Christodoulopoulos’s effort from close range but could not stop Panagiotis Kone’s first time daisycutter from the rebound, which took a slight deflection off Cristaldo credited with the goal on its way to crashing into the back of the net.