League leaders drop points

Saturday's big match was a showpiece of marvellous, dramatic football. No it wasn't El Clásico, but Fiorentina v Internazionale. The fixture between the behemoths of Spanish football overshadowed this encounter which has had an equally profound effect on a title race. Inter, who once stood over ten points clear at the head of the Serie A table could now have their position overtaken by Roma, should Ranieri's side win tomorrow. 

Inter started brightly, with Wesley Sneijder's sharp effort testing Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey. The reigning champions failed to capitalise on poor defending from the resulting corner as Diego Milito's thumping header beat Frey but was rejected by the post. Fiorentina took the lead shortly after. Gianluca Comotto delicately directing Montolivo's slid pass into the path of Brazilian Keirrison who justified his surprise selection with a fine finish. 

A combination of squandered chances and intercepted passes kept Inter only a goal down at the break. Inter needed a victory to secure their status as favourites for the Scudetto. Mourinho used the interval to introduce troubled starlet Mario Balotelli but the Italian international started slowly. His wayward passing and petulant attitude perhaps revelatory of the discontent he has felt as part of the Portuguese's side. 

Inter equalised on with little more than a quarter of an hour to go. Fiorentina's commitment to finding a second goal left them critically exposed to Maicon's counterattack. The fullback took advantage of a three on two to square the ball to Diego Milito who beat Frey from six yards. Inter took the lead just minutes later. In a near indentical move to the one that brought the score to 1-1, Mario Balotelli played the Maicon role producing a marvellous cross to Samuel Eto'o who volleyed in the goal that looked to have brought Inter closer to a fourth consecutive title. 

Fiorentina had been the better side side throughout and were rewarded for their often spectacular one-touch passing when they earned a corner following fine play from Jovetic. Julio Cesar came to punch the corner clear but failed to connect, allowing defender Per Koldrup to equalise and dramatically alter the title race. It was the latest in a string of mistakes by the Brazilian international, who has seen the fine form he has displayed for many years rescind while Inter's lead has been eroded by Milan and Roma. 

Their rivals from the Eternal City can now move two points clear of the champions with a victory over struggling Atalanta.