Inter, Siena herald a goal rush
Inter Milan crushed Parma 5-0 at the San Siro on Saturday to keep their slim Serie A title hopes alive while Lazio's championship challenge took a hit when they crashed 4-0 to a vibrant and adenturous Siena.
Fifth-placed Inter moved to within a point of Lazio, one place above them, having hit nine goals in their last two games. They have won seven of their last eight league matches.
"These numbers are pleasing, we're correcting a situation that was complicated," said Inter coach Claudio Ranieri, referring to Inter's disastrous start.
However, he stopped short of suggesting they could challenge for honours this season.
"I'm not saying anything, I've arrived here and I'm trying my best. In April or May we'll see what we've done. Ahead of us there are teams who are running and we'll need to fly to be able to catch them."
It was also the third time this season that Parma have been thrashed by one of the big teams, having previously lost 4-1 to both Juventus and AC Milan.
Diego Milito scored a brace for Inter while he also had a hand in goals by Thiago Motta and Giampaolo Pazzini before youngster Marco Faraoni scored his first goal in Serie A late on.
Milito darted across his marker to flick home Ricardo Alvarez's left-wing cross at the near post after 13 minutes.
His deflected shot then dropped to Thiago Motta 20 yards out five minutes later and the Brazilian-born international lashed home a low drive.
Maicon crossed from the right four minutes before the break and Milito headed home to kill the game.
Milito then slipped in Pazzini on 56 minutes to clip home before 20-year-old Faraoni put the icing on the cake with a stunning volley that dipped over goalkeeper Antonio Mirante on 79 minutes.
In Siena, Mattia Destro scored a brace for the hosts and Emanuele Calaio added two penalties while the visitors had goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri sent off at the end of the first half.
The victory moved Siena up to mid-table while Lazio could drop to seven points off the leaders if either AC Milan or Juventus win on Sunday.
RESULTS
Inter Milan 5 (Milito 13, 41, Motta 18, Pazzini 56, Faraoni 79) Parma 0
Siena 4 (Destro 11, 81, Calaio 35-pen, 45-pen) Lazio 0
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