Gasperini in danger as Inter fall to Novara

20 September 2011 22:35

Inter Milan coach Gian Piero Gasperini's position became increasingly untenable on Tuesday as the Serie A giants' winless run continued with a shock 3-1 defeat at promoted Novara.

Inter have not won away in five games this season putting increasing pressure on Gasperini as the humiliation against Novara, returning to Serie A after 55 years, follows last week's home loss to outsiders Trabzonspor in the Champions Legaue.

Inter are languishing in 17th position with just one point from three games.

Marco Rigoni's double lifted Novara to their first win of the season and provisional fifth place.

Inter danger man Giampaolo Pazzini started on the bench but was brought on by Gasperini at half time in place of an uninspiring Diego Forlan after Riccardo Meggiorini had put the hosts ahead after 38 minutes.

Pazzini had Inter's best chance of the night, a shot at goal on 61 minutes, but it went wide.

Inter's defence were made to work by the pairing of Meggiorini and Andrea Mazzarini with the latter missing a chance for a second goal after 53 minutes.

Japanese striker Takayuki Morimoto, who caused endless headaches for Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia all evening, finally obtained a penalty for his side which Marco Rigoni transformed four minutes from time.

And in a late scramble for goal Esteban Cambiasso reduced the deficit for the visitors with a minute to go before Rigoni got his second one minute into time added on.

Leaders Napoli, who beat AC Milan thanks to a Edinson Cavani hattrick at the weekend, travel to Chievo on Wednesday as second-placed Juventus host Bologna who are looking for their first points.

AC Milan host third-placed Udinese as AS Roma look for their first win under Luis Enrique on Thursday against promoted Siena.

Source: AFP