Inter Milan held by Torino at San Siro

New Delhi: Torino took a shock lead at the San Siro, but Inter Milan fought back to a 1-1 draw.

Adriano was still suspended for punching an opponent in the match against Sampdoria, along with Sulley Muntari, who was sent off in the 2-0 win over Catania on Wednesday. Youngster Davide Santon kept his place at left back, while Julio Cruz partnered Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front.

Torino coach Walter Novellino put out a fairly attacking line-up, with Aimo Diana and Ignazio Abate on the wings of midfield, supporting Alessandro Rosina and Rolando Bianchi upfront.

First Half

The first quarter of the match was fairly tame, with no real chances for either side. Rosina was lively though and put in a curling cross for Bianchi that was just cut out by Nicolas Burdisso at the far post. Then Blerim Dzemaili's long range shot was wide of Julio Cesar's goal.

Dejan Stankovic put in a cross on the counter-attack, but it was just punched off of Julio Cruz's head by Torino goalkeeper Sereni. Ibrahimovic then tried a cross from the other wing, but Cruz was booked for controlling the ball with his hand.

Inventive play from Esteban Cambiasso sent Inter running down the left, but Ibra's pull-back was cut out for a corner.

The Nerazzurri were starting to exert more pressure and began to control the match, grabbing several half-chances and pinning Torino in their own half. However, Torino were defending in numbers, content to play on the counter-attack.

Cruz then tried his luck from distance and it was just over the crossbar. The same player had his powerful header then well-saved by Sereni to keep the match scoreless.

Stankovic was unable to continue after picking up a knock, so coach Jose Mourinho replaced him with veteran Luis Figo.

The great chance fell to Dzemaili, who took a touch past Cordoba and fired in a shot that did not force Cesar into a save. The last influential action in the first half was Inter's, Maicon's cross from the deep right was headed wide by a diving Cruz, who looked desperate to find a goal.

Second Half

'The Special One' began the second by throwing on Ricardo Quarsema to add some more offense, but Inter were caught napping as Torino took the lead!

Abate's was in all kinds of space and he crossed for Bianchi, who beat Cordoba to the ball and headed the Granata into a shock lead over the Nerazzurri on 47 minutes.

Sereni did well once again, saving Cordoba's downward header from Maicon's corner as Inter tried to hit back immediately.

The Inter players and fans were up in arms when a cross definitely hit Abate's arm in the area. However, Inter found a goal on 58' from a subsequent corner. Defender Nicolas Burdisso headed past Sereni, who was too slow off his line, leveling the scored at 1-1.

Inter were now in attack mode, but both squads were squandering chances in the final third of the pitch with poor and misplaced passes. Cruz touched on a cross for Quaresma, but the winger's scissor-kick effort was not even close.

Then a dangerous opportunity had Diana redirect a low cross wide of the target and Maicon's long rage pile driver had the crowd in awe, but it flew wide. Meanwhile, Cruz was replaced by Hernan Crespo.

Santon was flying forward down the left and he cut inside to lay off for Ibrahimovic, although the big Swede's powerful shot was to the left of Sereni's goal. Figo took a freekick from a good position, but it deflected off the wall for the corner.

From the clearance, Torino went on the counter and Cordoba was booked as he committed a tactical foul to halt the opportunity.

Inter came close when the ball bounced around in the area, although Crespo's deft touch with the outside of his foot was just over. Then, Quaresma controlled the ball on the bounce, but his volley was straight at Sereni.

Burdisso almost had a brace, but was robbed by Sereni as Torino were suffering from inter's late surge.

Quaresma did nothing more to endear himselt to Inter fans, as Figo played him in, but he curled an easy chance well voer the ball in the final minute. Inter were not giving up and Ibrahimovic hit the post, just before a foul was called.

The match ended 1-1, as for all their late pressure the Nerazzurri could not break down Torino. Tehrefore, Inter could not extend their lead over Juventus to nine points and Torino picked up a precious point in their battle against relegation.

Inter 1-1 Torino

Goals: 46' Bianchi (T), 58' Burdisso (I)

Bookings: 18' Cruz (I), 36' Ogbonna (T), 59' Burdisso (I), 78' Cordoba (I)

Inter: Juilo Cesar - Maicon, Burdisso, Cordoba, Santon - Zanetti, Cambiasso, Maxwell (46' Quaresma) - Stankovic (43' Figo) - Ibrahimovic, Cruz (69' Crespo)

Torino: Sereni - Rivalta (36' Colombo), Di Loreto, Dellafiore, Ogbonna - Abate (79' Rubin), Dzemaili, Zanetti, Diana - Rosina, Bianchi (66' Stellone)

More from Goal.comFeature: Under the radar, 10 unexpected transfersPlayer ratings: Liverpool 2-0 ChelseaPlayer ratings: Lazio 0-3 MilanEnglish angle: Can Red-reject Robbie Keane get back to his best?