Football: Inter toil as hopes fade

ROME: Inter Milan’s Champions League qualification hopes slipped further away following a 0-0 draw at Fiorentina yesterday. Sixth-placed Inter closed the gap on third-placed Lazio to five points but having played a game more. And it could have been worse as Fiorentina missed a penalty in a lacklustre affair. The only real plus for Inter was that coach Andrea Stramaccioni maintained his unbeaten start on the bench. Houssine Kharja had an early opportunity for the hosts but shot just wide while Diego Forlan’s left-footed effort at the other end was saved by Artur Boruc. Meanwhile, Udinese failed to boost their Champions League hopes as they were held to an uneventful 0-0 draw at mid-table Chievo.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2012.