Serie A - Week 25: Saturday Review

Inter, Juventus and Roma all warmed up for next week's UEFA Champions League last 16 matches by recording three difficult points each on a Super Saturday of action in Serie A.

BOLOGNA 1-2 INTER
A sweetly-struck free-kick from substitute Mario Balotelli just moments after coming on clinched all three points for runaway Serie A leaders Inter at Bologna. Having fielded a virtually full-strength side, despite Tuesday's visit of Manchester United in the Champions League, Jose Mourinho's men took the lead early in the second period through Esteban Cambiasso. The home side drew level after 79 minutes via the head of defender Miguel Angel Britos, only for Balotelli's decisive intervention with just nine minutes left on the clock. The Nerazzurri stay nine points clear at the top.

PALERMO 0-2 JUVENTUS
Juventus ensured they didn't concede more ground on league leaders Inter with a tough 2-0 win at Palermo. Former Juve striker Fabrizio Miccoli hit the woodwork early on for the Sicilians but Mohamed Sissoko's powerful shot broke the deadlock not long before the half-hour and eleven minutes from time David Trezeguet's flick deflected in off Simon Kjaer to mark the forward's first Serie A start of the season after surgery on both knees. Claudio Ranieri's men remain nine points behind Inter in Serie A ahead of the trip to his former club Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday.

ROMA 1-0 SIENA
Roma returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory against Siena but Luciano Spalletti's side were far from convincing ahead of their Champions League clash with Arsenal on Tuesday. A goal from Rodrigo Taddei just after the hour-mark was enough to earn the Giallorossi, who lost 3-0 at Atalanta six days ago, all three points in a lacklustre encounter at the Stadio Olimpico. Neither side created many chances, although Siena showed a lot more attacking intent and were unfortunate not to come away with a share of the spoils. The win lifts Roma up to fourth spot in Serie A ahead of Sunday's matches.

SERIE A REVIEW:
[Saturday 21 Feb] - [Sunday 22 Feb]