Inter 2-0 Parma: Eto'o & Milito Break Down Dogged Parma

Samuel Eto'o - Inter (Grazia Neri)

At the outset of the second-half in search of a goal, Mourinho brought in starket Mario Balotelli for the ineffective Thiago Motta - forming a trident attack with Eto'o and Milito.

After a couple of dangerous set-piece by Parma, the substitute Balotelli missed an absolute sitter when picked out by Eto'o at the back post! The Italian Under-21 international one-timed the ball over the net from just three yards out!

Zanetti recovered the ball in midfield, laying off for Santon, who beat a defender before an Eto'o dummy allowed Milito into open space, but he tried one move too many and the opportunity went begging as the match was opening up considerably in the second period.

Sneijder was once again involved, when in the centre of the area he failed to make decisive contact with the ball and it bobbled into Mirante's hands.

The Gialloblu were defending in numbers, content to play on the counter-attack, but Bianbiany, a Nerazzurri youth product, nearly made his parent club pay after getting away from Lucio, firing the ball across the face of goal.

The home side finally made their pressure count with a fantastic effort from summer signing Eto'o! The Cameroon star collected the ball at the top of the box and beautifully curled it into the top corner for a 1-0 scoreline.

It was nearly two goals soon after, as a cutback found Sneijder, but he once again misfired.

Mourinho's men were in good spirits and a spectacular Balotelli spin nearly set up Milito. Sneijder was then removed from the match for young Slovenian Rene Khrin.

Finally, after a frustrating afternoon, Milito sealed the points on the counter as Balotelli found the Argentine in space and he finished the move off with a tap-in with two minutes remaining.

Incredibly, Balotelli missed a one-on-one opportunity with Moiante, trying to fool the goalkeeper, but the Parma man stood his ground and plucked the ball from the feet of 'Super Mario.'

The win keeps Inter within two points of Juventus at the top, who earned a win against Lazio on Saturday.

Adam Scime, Goal.com