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Milito's hat-trick welcomes Inter Milan's new coach

Apr 1, 2012, 15:38 GMT

Rome - Diego Milito's hat-trick helped Inter Milan clinch an intense 5-4 home win over Genoa Sunday in the debut game of new coach Andrea Stramaccioni.

Inter remain seven points behind a berth for a continental event, while third-place Lazio retained a Champions League berth despite Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Parma.

Udinese stayed fourth by losing 1-0 at troubled Siena, while Napoli could draw level with Lazio if they win a late top-billing match at Juventus.

Second-placed Juve hope to close within two points of leaders AC Milan, who drew 1-1 at Catania on Saturday.

The Nerazzurri this week switched from veteran Claudio Ranieri to their youth-team coach Stramaccioni and seemed to have clinched an easy win when Walter Samuel flicked home on 38 minutes after Milito's two opening goals.

'It was a determined and offensive Inter, maybe on 3-0 it seemed a downhill ride, but Genoa were good and in the second half it was fireworks, to say the least,' Stramaccioni.

'I have been with the boys since Tuesday. Looking at them I think this is the best way to play.'

Genoa pulled two back with Emiliano Moretti's flick before the break and when Rodrigo Palacio converted a spot kick by the hour.

Milito declined to celebrate to respect his former club despite two great goals scored off a Diego Forlan cross and after a run from the midfield.

Mauro Zarate was the third Argentine on target for Inter, finding the far corner from the distance, but the unrelenting guests stayed one goal behind as Alberto Gilardino converted a penalty after custodian Julio Cesar was dismissed for a foul on the storming Argentine Palacio.

Milito's third was a spot kick that followed the dismissal of Fernando Belluschi and Gilardino took his second penalty firing past substitute Luca Castellazzi on 90 minutes.

Roma beat lowly Novara 5-2 in noon action before Cagliari won 2-0 against Atalanta, Palermo had defender Andrea Mantovani dismissed as they won 3-1 at Bologna, Chievo stunned hosts Fiorentina 2-1 and Lecce drew 0-0 with bottom side Cesena.

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