Inter Milan win at Parma

Inter Milan strengthened their hold on a European place with a 2-0 win at Parma.

Inter Milan strengthened their hold on a European place with a 2-0 win at Parma. Second-half goals from Rolando and Fredy Guarin decided the match, but things could have been different had the hosts not seen former Inter striker Antonio Cassano's penalty saved by Samir Handanovic and Gabriel Paletta sent off when the score was still 0-0. The win tightened Inter's hold on fifth place as their opponents' Europa League charge faltered. Inter had the first chance early on when Parma keeper Antonio Mirante came racing out of his goal to clear the ball in front of Mauro Icardi and Rodrigo Palacio shot over the empty goal from 25 yards. At the other end Cassano's header was brilliantly saved by Handanovic, while the striker fired narrowly wide of the left post a few minutes later. Esteban Cambiasso forced a smart save from Mirante with a shot from the edge of the area, while the Parma keeper also had to be alert to keep out Danilo D'Ambrosio's effort from similar range. But Parma should have gone in front in the 43rd minute when Walter Samuel fouled Marco Parolo in the area, but Handanovic pushed Cassano's penalty on to the right post and Parolo missed on the rebound. The hosts had a let-off two minutes later, though, when Cambiasso's shot hit a post and Mirante grabbed the loose ball. It got worse for Parma a minute into the second half when Paletta was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Palacio. Two munutes later Inter went ahead, Rolando heading in Hernanes' free-kick. Alessandro Lucarelli headed a Cassano free-kick against the bar, with Felipe firing the follow-up over the top, as Parma sought an equaliser. Parolo shot over after excellent work from Jonathan Biabiany inside the area, but Inter finally wrapped up the points three minutes from time. Yuto Nagatomo's pass to Guarin was inch perfect and the Colombian took full advantage by firing home his side's second.