Inter Milan 5-0 Parma

Masterful Milito sends Ranieri's side to within three points of Champions League spots

The Argentina international put in a magnificent performance as the hosts romp to their fifth straight Serie A victory as Claudio Ranieri's resurgence continues

Inter defeated Parma 5-0 at San Siro in Saturday night's Serie A clash, courtesy of Diego Milito's first half brace and further goals from Thiago Motta, Giampaolo Pazzini and substitute Marco Faraoni.

Claudio Ranieri's men were always in control, and had taken the lead by the 12th minute, thanks to Milito's close range effort. The hosts then doubled their tally through a fantastic strike from Motta, before Milito grabbed his second of the night with a powerful header on the stroke of half time to give the Nerazzurri a three goal lead going into the break.

Pazzini then grabbed the fourth ten minutes into the second half, before Faraoni completed the rout with a superb volley with just over 10 minutes to go.

The match began with the hosts controlling play, but struggling to create any real opportunities. However, they took the lead in the 12th minute through a poacher's finish from Milito. A great cross from Ricardo Alvarez found the Argentina international at the near post and he made no mistakes to poke the ball past Antonio Mirante.

Then just before the 20 minute mark Inter doubled their lead through a fantastic strike from Motta. After Milito saw his powerful drive blocked, the ball fell to the former Barcelona midfielder, whose first time drive left Mirante with no chance.

Minutes later, the visitors missed a glorious opportunity to get themselves back into the game when former Inter winger Jonathan Biabiany burst past Maicon before producing a fabulous cross for the unmarked Sebastian Giovinco, but the former Juventus forward’s tame header sailed harmlessly wide.

Just before the half hour mark, Giovinco went close again, but the Italy international's swerving freekick was denied by a great save from Julio Cesar.

Parma would rue their missed chances as the Nerazzurri struck again just before the break. A fantastic cross from Maicon on the right flank found Milito in the centre of the area, and the former Genoa striker’s powerful header flew straight into the top corner.

The second half began with Inter still dominating the game and in the 56th minute they grabbed their fourth of the evening through Pazzini. Milito put the former Sampdoria striker through on goal, who made easy work of lifting the ball over Mirante to kill the game off.

The tempo of the match dipped with Claudio Ranieri's side leaing 4-0, but Giovinco almost grabbed a consolation goal for Parma in the 70th minute after a magnificent solo run, but the forward’s low drive from the edge of the box went inches past the post. 

Then with just over 10 minutes to go, the Nerazzurri made it five through a fantastic strike from substitute Faraoni when the youngster smashed in a volley from the edge of the area to grab his first goal for Inter.

The result sees Ranieri's men pick up their fifth straight victory in Serie A, moving them at least temporarily to within three points of Udinese in third, and just five behind leaders AC Milan, whom they will meet in the derby next Sunday.

Source: goal.com