Inter frustrated after draw at SPAL

Milan (AFP) – Inter’s faltering Serie A campaign suffered more frustration with a 1-1 draw at promoted SPAL on Sunday, their seventh consecutive league game without a win.

Alberto Paloschi headed in a last-gasp equaliser to grab a precious point for SPAL after Inter had taken the lead on 48 minutes when defender Francesco Vicari turned the ball into his own net.

Inter are now two points behind third-placed Lazio who can pull further ahead when they play AC Milan at San Siro later on Sunday. Roma are just three points behind Inter in fifth before going to Sampdoria.

“When you concede a goal like that in stoppage time, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth,” said Inter coach Luciano Spalletti.

“It doesn’t change anything though. There is certainly work to be done better. I wouldn’t say I’m worried, even when we were winning I didn’t see big improvements. Now the results are worse, we’re losing easy balls and at other times we’re not fighting.”

SPAL goalkeeper Alex Meret was unworried by Spalletti’s side who have not won since December 3 and were uninspiring in Ferrara despite the presence of recent arrivals Rafinha and Lisandro Lopez on the bench. 

Despite trailing for most of the second half, SPAL proved dogged and their pressing paid off when former Milan forward Paloschi turned in a Mirco Antenucci cross on the stroke of full-time.

Spalletti introduced on-loan Barcelona midfielder Rafinha for the final minutes of the game but the Brazilian failed to lift his team against a SPAL side still in the relegation zone.

Napoli host Bologna later on Sunday looking to reclaim top spot from Juventus who moved ahead after Sami Khedira and Gonzalo Higuain scored for the champions in a 2-0 win at nine-man Chievo on Saturday.