Inter Milan rally at Cagliari to keep Juventus within sights (Roundup)

By Alberto Cagliano Sep 20, 2009, 20:45 GMT

Rome - A brace from Argentine Diego Milito Sunday allowed Serie A champions Inter Milan to clinch a 2-1 win from behind at Cagliari and remain two points adrift of leaders Juventus and Sampdoria.

Juve on Saturday celebrated a 2-0 win against promoted visitors Livorno for a perfect 12-point tally from four games and lie next to Samp, who crushed Siena 4-1 on Sunday, while Genoa fell three points behind after going down 3-1 to Chievo.

A brace from Marco Padalino, who came on after the break, and the great form of play maker Antonio Cassano marked Samp's wide win over Siena as the Genoa side continued their best-ever league start.

In Cagliari, a 16th-minute foul from Inter Brazilian Douglas Maicon was sanctioned with a yellow card and a spot kick converted from compatriot Jeda.

There were few threats in the remainder of the first half for Cagliari's goalkeeper Federico Marchetti as Inter seemed unable to fully switch gears, save a post-grazing free kick from Samuel Eto'o and a feeble attempt from Milito.

The young Mario Balotelli came on after the break to boost Inter's striking efforts, while Milito began his show on 51 minutes, dispossessing Daniele Conti outside the Cagliari area to beat the helpless Marchetti, who stood no chance four minutes later as the Argentine burst into the area to beat him with a sweet lob.

The in-form international has scored four goals from as many games with Inter, which he joined in the summer from Genoa, and boasts 28 goals from 35 Serie A games.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho on 58 minutes was dismissed for his vehement protest after a harsh foul on Balotelli and his side had trouble in retaining the lead for the remainder of the game.

Cagliari closed the game as the dominant team, but regretted missed chances from Andrea Lazzari, Andrea Cossu and Jeda.

Troubled giants AC Milan struggled to a 1-0 win over Bologna sealed by a second-half goal from Dutch veteran Clarence Seedorf, who flicked home from close range as a dithering defence was unable to stop his break from the left flank.

Catania and Lazio drew 1-1, Parma edged Palermo 1-0 and promoted Bari hammered bottom side Atalanta 4-1, while, on Saturday, Napoli and visiting Udinese played out a scoreless draw.

Roma seemed to have forgotten a disastrous start to the season late Sunday as they drubbed Fiorentina 3-1 with their captain Francesco Totti notching a brace before the home crowd in Rome.