Underdogs Cagliari hold Inter Milan to home draw

Underdogs Cagliari hold Inter Milan to home draw Rome  - Inter Milan drew 1-1 at home Saturday against Cagliari, who stopped an eight-game winning run by the Serie A champions as the Italian league resumed after a three-week winter break.

Robert Acquafresca put the guests ahead in the second half, triggering a furious reaction from Inter, which was rewarded when Zlatan Ibrahimovic levelled with 14 minutes left.

With 18 games played, Inter still lead on 43 points, seven more than Juventus, who may reduce their gap as they welcome Siena on Sunday. AC Milan trail 10 points adrift when they play a top-billing game at Roma late Sunday.

Cagliari, an underdog side from the island of Sardinia, displayed a good form and kept up with Inter in midfield, but failed to seriously threaten in a fast-paced first half.

Brazilian Maxwell opened for the champions with a drive well saved by Federico Marchetti, while Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic on 13 minutes wasted a good chance firing centrally after his striking mate Julio Cruz stole a ball in midfield.

On 28 minutes, defender Walter Samuel misfired a close-range deflection off a free kick curled by Argentine compatriot Esteban Cambiasso and captain Javier Zanetti, also an Argentine, forced two good saves before the break.

Two mistakes from Ibra, a wide close-range effort and a high header, marked the beginning of the second half as Inter produced a fruitless pressing only to be stunned by a counter attack on 65 minutes.

Acquafresca controlled with his chest a feed by Michele Fini and beat Julio Cesar as Samuel slipped on the frozen ground and failed to intervene.

Davide Biondini had the chance to hit Inter with a fatal blow on 71 minutes, but aimed wide from an inviting position before Acquafresca fired high after a good spurt toward Inter's area.

Ibra's equalizer on 76 minutes was an easy lay-in off a great low cross from Hernan Crespo, a veteran Argentinian forward who came on after Inter fell behind.

Acquafresca did Inter a big favour with seven minutes left as he incredibly fired high before the gaping goal from no more than four metres away.

A final thrill for the Milanese crowd came on 86 minutes from a Muntari drive that grazed the post to the right of Marchetti.

Earlier Saturday action saw Genoa begin 2009 in convincing fashion, beating struggling visitors Torino 3-0.

Genoa, now 32 points from 18 games, leapfrogged Napoli, who welcome Catania Sunday, and drew level with fourth-place Fiorentina ahead of a home game to troubled Lecce. (dpa)

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