Late Palacio goal wins it for Inter

Posted Friday, October 26, 2012 by ESPN

Inter Milan finally broke the resistance of stubborn Partizan Belgrade two minutes from time to win their Europa League clash 1-0 at the San Siro.

The Nerazzurri looked on course for a frustrating goalless draw in the Group H match as they failed to find a way past their Serbian opponents.

But, having lived dangerously at times, substitute Rodrigo Palacio's header at the death won it for Andrea Stramaccioni's side.

Victory kept them level on seven points with Rubin Kazan at the top of the group.

Inter went into the game having won their past five in a row to move up to fourth in Serie A, and they started brightly.

Jonathan's drilled shot from the right of the area was parried away for a corner by goalkeeper Nikola Petrovic.

Philippe Coutinho then fired wide from inside the area, while Antonio Cassano had a close-range effort blocked by Milos Ostojic.

Coutinho had to come off injured after half an hour, with Palacio his replacement.

The visitors came closest to going in front, though, as Lazar Markovic's curler came back off a post.

At the other end, Esteban Cambiasso headed wide.

The hosts continued to pose the greater threat after the break, albeit without seriously troubling Petrovic.

Matias Silvestre brought a comfortable save out of the keeper, while Palacio volleyed wide and Cassano fired over, both from inside the area.

Again, though, they were almost caught out against the run of play as home keeper Samir Handanovic had to be alert to parry a close-range effort from Markovic.

But Inter finally made the breakthrough in the 88th minute as Palacio headed low into the net from a Diego Milito cross to end Partizan's resistance.