Wed Feb 27 17:24:55 2008

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Zanetti rescues draw for Inter

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Milan, Italy (Sports Network) - Inter Milan took a big step towards retaining its Serie A title on Wednesday as Javier Zanetti scored in the 88th minute to help Inter earn a 1-1 draw with second-place Roma at the San Siro.

The result keeps Inter nine points ahead of Roma with 13 games to play, and also keeps the unbeaten mark of the Nerazzuri intact.

Francesco Totti opened the scoring in the 38th minute and Roma's Philippe Mexes was sent off with six minutes to play before Zanetti's volley prevented Roma from closing the gap to six points.

Inter's Hernan Crespo had two chances in the opening 20 minutes to put his side in front, with the first coming after 15 minutes on the counter attack. He took a pass 35 yards from goal and charged towards the box before firing a shot over the net.

His second opportunity came after a cross from Patrick Vieira on the right. Crespo was in a good position at the penalty spot and he sent an acrobatic scissors-kick on net that beat Roma goalkeeper Doni but came back off the post.

Despite Inter's positive start, Roma stunned the home supporters with a goal seven minutes before the half to take the lead.

Max Tonetto carried the ball down the left wing before driving a cross into the area that skipped into the path of Totti. The Roma skipper then put it away as he swept the ball home from eights yards just inside the near post.

The visitors carried their lead into the second half and it looked like it would be their day when Inter defender Maxwell was forced to leave the game with a leg injury just minutes after manager Roberto Mancini made his third and final substitution.

This reduced Inter to 10 men for the final 23 minutes of the match and Roma went on the attack in search of an insurance tally.

Simone Perrotta set up substitute Alberto Aquilani in front of goal, but he was denied by a good stop from Inter keeper Julio Cesar. Aquilani then had a deflected effort sail inches past the post, but Roma's misses would prove costly as the match began to turn in the 84th minute.

Mexes received a second yellow card for a tackle from behind on Crespo, although the booking was a bit harsh.

Both teams were now playing with 10 men and Inter was looking dangerous. Crespo almost found the net again in the 87th as his glancing header appeared to be headed for the top corner, only to be tipped away by the diving Doni.

It was a great stop from the keeper, but he could not keep the ball out one minute later, when a clearance fell to Zanetti and he took a touch before slamming a volley into the lower left corner that put a serious dent in Roma's hopes of contending for the title.

Fiorentina regained fourth place on Wednesday as the Viola got past Livorno 1-0 on a goal from Papa Waigo, while AC Milan is now two points back after being held to a 1-1 draw by Catania Calcio.

Siena and Parma both picked up three huge points in their efforts to avoid relegation as Siena beat last-place Cagliari 1-0 and Parma knocked off Udinese 2-0. Both clubs are now two points clear of the drop zone.

Lazio beat Reggina 1-0 on a goal from Rolando Bianchi, Palermo doubled up on Empoli 2-0, Atalanta got two goals from Cristiano Doni to beat Sampdoria 4-1 and Genoa got the best of Napoli in 2-0 fashion.