Inter Milan stretch lead with win at Catania

The titleholders remain top with 56 points from 22 games with Roma trailing on 48 points after a 2-0 win Saturday over Reggina.

 Juve, who welcome Roma next weekend, strengthened their hold on third place on 44 points as they came from behind to secure a 2-1 win Sunday against Udinese.

 At the Angelo Massimino stadium, flawless defensive tactics and breathtaking pressing in midfield allowed Catania to block Inter's schemes in the first half, leaving no room for the deadly spurts of their strikers Julio Cruz and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

 Inter did not manage a single shot before the break, while on 35 minutes Catania's Argentinian Julio Izco stirred the home fans, firing a fast, long-distance drive that flew a few centimetres above the bar.

 After the break, Inter made clear they would not settle for a draw as they brought on as third striker Honduran David Suazo, who on 63 minutes fired his team's first shot without worrying goalkeeper Ciro Polito.

 A second effort one minute later bore fruit for Inter as Argentinian Esteban Cambiasso deflected home a Xavier Zanetti header from what appeared to be a glaring offside position.

 Four minutes later, Suazo sealed Inter's win, connecting with an Ibrahimovic assist and leaping past the onrushing Polito, who was saved by the woodwork when Cruz fired from the right with two minutes left.

By Alberto Cagliano, dpa