INTER Milan’s crisis intensified yesterday with a 2-1 defeat at Chievo, where Samuel Eto’o committed a Zinedine Zidane-like headbutt that could result in a lengthy suspension.
Inter president Massimo Moratti gave coach Rafael Benitez his backing after last weekend’s derby defeat by leaders AC Milan, but another loss has left the Spaniard exposed with the champions now nine points off top spot.
In a moment of madness similar to France midfielder Zidane’s assault on Italian Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final, Eto’o headbutted Cesar in the chest after being hit by the defender earlier.
Eto’o was not cautioned by the referee for his headbutt, but the Cameroon striker could be punished retrospectively.
He scored Inter’s consolation goal late on after Sergio Pellissier and Davide Moscardelli put Chievo two up.
Second-placed Lazio also lost ground on Milan after a 1-1 draw at Parma that left the gap at three points. Milan had beaten Fiorentina 1-0 on Saturday.
Juventus won 2-0 at Genoa on Sunday to go third, fourth-placed AS Roma beat Udinese 2-0 on Saturday to boost their confidence ahead of their crunch Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
With fives sides above Inter after 13 games, last season’s treble winners have a fight on their hands to win a sixth successive scudetto given their poor run of form and injuries.
