Week 35: Inter back on top as the rollercoaster continues

Inter hit back this week climbing back up the table to the summit of Serie A thanks to a 3-1 win over Atalanta. After initially going behind Diego Milito leveled through a cheeky lob and Macdonald Mariga put them ahead deep into the second half. Inter were in control, and Chivu scored his first Inter goal after hitting a strong drive from outside the box. It was a touching moment after his horror injury earlier this year. Roma however could not respond on Sunday. They were in control in the first half against Sampdoria as Totti's strike confirmed this in a packed Olimpico, but after the break Samp were rejuvenated and Roma could not find the passes that they did in the first half. Pazzini rocked the Olimpico with a bullet header after a Cassano cross, and then finished them off with a well taken tap in at the far post. Advantage Inter, but its not over yet.

Race for fourth
Palermo took a huge step towards fourth spot on Saturday night destroying Milan 3-1 at home. Despite having a large chunk of posession, Milan could do little with it as Hernandez and Miccoli scored excellent goals to put Milan to their second defeat in a row. However, as outlined above Samp continue to set the pace and their showdown away at Palermo in week 37 could well settle who gets Champions League football next year. Napoli were in the mix, but may have blown it but not getting past Cagliari in a 0-0 at the San Paolo. Juve have however put themselves back in the frame. They pushed past Bari 3-0 thanks to a Iaqunita brace, and one wonders what difference he could have made to their campaign if he had been fully fit for the duration of it, rather than Amauri who has been poor this year. Still, they remain well behind Sampdoria and still have to go to Milan, so Europa league is likely for them.

Elsewhere
Lazio took a big step towards survival with a deserved win away at top half Genoa. Genoa went ahead through an excellent Rodrigo Palacio strike, but an Andre Dias header and a well taken Sergio Floccari strike ensured the three points. Tommaso Rocchi almost made it 3-1, but his effort bounced off the woodwork. Bologna also took a big step towards salvation, as they beat Parma 2-1 at home, while Livorno went down this week despite downing Catania 3-1. Siena also are only a point away from the drop and they were hammered by Udinese 4-1. Finally, Chievo ensured survival with a superb 2-0 away win in Florence as Fiorentina's excellent season, in the cups at least, seems to be ending on a sour note.