Inter bolster European hopes

Inter Milan beat nine-man Udinese 2-1 in Serie A on Tuesday to close in on a European place next season.

A penalty by Mauro Icardi and Lukas Podolski's first league goal since moving on loan from Arsenal put Robert Mancini's Inter back on track after their seven-game winless streak.

They are now up to seventh, overtaking Torino and Genoa having played one game more, and temporarily sit just one point behind sixth-placed Fiorentina, who occupy the final European spot.

Antonio Di Natale scored for Udinese for his 205th goal in the Italian elite to join Juventus and Italy legend Roberto Baggio as the sixth top goalscorer in Serie A history.

Maurizio Domizzi was dismissed in the first half for two bookable offences and having bravely clawed their way back into the match, Udinese lost Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu who saw red for a vehement protest at the referee just before the hour mark.

With five games to go, the Nerazzuri still have two tough challenges in second-placed Lazio and leaders Juventus in the two final games of the season.

On Wednesday, the Bianconeri host Fiorentina, hoping to secure a fourth consecutive Serie A title in front of their own fans, provided nearest rivals Lazio slip up at home to Parma.
Source: AFP