Inter Strengthen Lead After Balotelli Fluke

Jose Mourinho`s side extended their lead to 12 points ahead of second-placed Juventus, who were visiting Palermo later (1930 GMT).

Substitute Mario Balotelli scored a fluke goal moments after coming on to give Serie A leaders Inter Milan a 2-1 win at Bologna on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho's side, who went ahead through Esteban Cambiasso before Miguel Britos equalised, extended their lead to 12 points over second-placed Juventus.

Stuttering Juve were at Palermo later (1930 GMT) while AC Milan in third spot host Cagliari on Sunday (1400).

Forward Balotelli, out of favour with Mourinho for much of the season after the coach criticised the 18-year-old's attitude, whipped in a free kick after 82 minutes that evaded everyone in the box and nestled in the corner.

Bologna had several chances late on but Julio Cesar made two sharp saves and Inter can now focus on Tuesday's Champions League last 16 first leg at home to holders Manchester United.

"At the end we suffered a lot with five or six corners in a row but we defended well," the keeper told Sky. "It is another three points before the big match. We have to stay calm."

As so often this season, champions Inter used their aerial power to score the opener from a set piece amid controversy.

Adriano, who netted with his arm in last week's 2-1 win over AC Milan, met Maicon's corner and again headed the ball against his shoulder before Cambiasso blasted in after 57 minutes.

Uruguayan Britos then scored his first goal for Bologna, coached by fiery former Inter assistant boss Sinisa Mihajlovic, when he headed in a corner. Cambiasso tried to block the ball on the line but got in a tangle as he avoided committing handball.

Bologna, who held a minute's silence before kick off for recently deceased former player Giacomo Bulgarelli, also had two decent chances at the end of a first half that Inter bossed.

Last season's runners-up AS Roma climbed to fourth after Brazilian Rodrigo Taddei expertly curled the ball home after 63 minutes to seal a laboured 1-0 home over visiting Siena.

Inter, Juve and Roma were playing on Saturday to give them extra time to prepare for next week's Champions League clashes with United, Chelsea and Arsenal.