Chievo draw with Inter to extend Scudetto race

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Serie A champions got off the mark with their first chance of the match.

New Delhi: An exciting match saw Chievo and Inter Milan draw 2-2 at the Stadio Bentegodi, slowing the Nerazzurri's Scudetto run.

Pre-Match News

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was suspended after picking up a yellow card last week, so Hernan Crespo was inserted in the line-up to partner starlet Mario Balotelli up front.

Coach Mimmo Di Carlo had to do without a number of key players, including Stephen Makinwa and the suspended Giampiero Pinzi. Despite disappointing this campaign, Erjon Bogdani was given a berth in attack.

First Half

The Serie A champions got off the mark with their first chance of the match. Dejan Stankovic was released down the left and his floated shot found Esteban Cambiasso. The Argentine's low shot was parried, but his compatriot, Crespo was on hand to pounce for just his second goal of the campaign.

The Nerazzurri had long spells of possession and Balotelli's burst of pace saw him get free of his marker down the right and play in a cross for Luis Figo, whose powerful effort was deflected onto the post on 13 minutes!

Chievo finally got a chance on goal when the ball was played square for Michele Marcolini, but his 20 yard effort was right at Julio Cesar. Bogdani then used his strength to shrug off Ivan Cordoba, but his finish was lacking.

It was a sign of things to come as Maxwell's weak clearance fell to Luca Rigoni, who poked the ball to Marcolini for an unstoppable drive into the net from outside the area after half an hour!

Jose Mourinho's men tried to hit back immediately, when captain Javier Zanetti beat his man and charged into the area, but after being tackled his penalty appeals were waved away.

The match opened up with some half-opportunities at either end, but neither side could break the deadlock before half-time.

Second Half

The visitors started the second half pressing for an equalizer and Maxwell's low cross was just nicked off of Crespo's foot.

Great interplay from Cambiasso and Crespo saw the ball shifted to Balotelli in a good position, but his volley was twice blocked and Figo's powerful one-timer flew over the bar. The Nerazzurri's pressure was leaving the opportunity for the home side to counter and Bogdani found plenty of space, only to fire straight at the Brazilian number one.

Balotelli has only been involved sparingly, but scored an absolute stunner on 65 minutes. 'Super Mario' hammered the loose ball on the volley from the corner of the area into the top of the net!

Chievo earned a free-kick by the right corner flag and the well worked set-piece was lofted to Marcolini, but his shot was deflected into the arms of a scrambling Julio Cesar.

Again Inter conceded after taking the lead, former Nerazzurri winger Luciano side footed Mantovani's cross into the net with 15 minutes remaining.

The Verona-based side seemed content with the tie and began defending in numbers in order to hold on to the result as four minutes were added on for injury time.

There were no more chances and the tie means that Inter cannot be crowned champions this weekend regardless of the result between Juventus and Milan in the evening.

Chievo 2-2 Inter

Goals: 2' Crespo (I), 27' Rigoni (C), 65' Balotelli (I), 73' Luciano (C)

Chievo (4-4-2): Sorrentino - Frey, Morero, Yepes, Monatovani (75' Sardo) - Luciano, Rigoni, Bentivoglion (72' Esposito) , Marcolini - Pellissier, Bogdani (81' Malago).

Inter (4-3-2-1): Julio Cesar - Zanetti, Cordoba, Samuel, Maxwell - Stankovic (76' Jimenez), Cambiasso, Muntari (67' Burdisso) - Figo, Balotelli - Crespo (57' Cruz)