Inter Milan’s chances of winning its first Serie A title in more than a decade took a hit with a 2-1 loss at Sampdoria on Wednesday as veteran coach Claudio Ranieri’s team got the better of Antonio Conte’s Nerazzurri.
Both of Sampdoria’s goals were scored by former Inter players to end the visitors’ eight-match winning streak.
Antonio Candreva put Sampdoria ahead with a penalty before Keita Baldé Diao finished off a well-worked counterattack before the break.
Stefan de Vrij pulled one back for Inter with a header in the 65th but the visitors’ sorely lacked a fully fit Romelu Lukaku, who came on only for the final half hour as he returns from injury.
The defeat left Inter trailing Italian leader and city rival AC Milan by one point ahead of the Rossoneri’s showdown with nine-time defending champion Juventus later.
Also, third-place Roma moved within three points of Inter with a 3-1 win at last-place Crotone before hosting the Nerazzurri on Sunday.
Borja Mayoral, on loan from Real Madrid, scored twice for Roma and won a penalty that Henrikh Mkhitaryan converted.
Sassuolo beat relegation-threatened Genoa 2-1 with a late header from Gianluca Raspadori to move into fourth, holding on to the final Champions League spot.
Atalanta remained one point further back after defeating Parma 3-0. Lazio defeated Fiorentina 2-1.