Juventus lose unbeaten record after 49 games to Inter Milan

49…. and out! Juventus' unbeaten Serie A run comes to an end at hands of Inter Milan

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UPDATED:

22:53 GMT, 3 November 2012

What is it about the number 49 Arsenal's invincibles powered to just that figure before being toppled by Manchester United.

And now Juventus have lost to their Scudetto rivals Inter Milan after reaching the same amount of games without suffering defeat.

This is the first time Antonio Conte's side have ever lost a game at the Juventus Stadium, which was opened on September 8 2011.

Gone: Juventus players mope after losing their record

Gone: Juventus players mope after losing their record

Punisher: Inter hitman Diego Milito struck twice

Punisher: Inter hitman Diego Milito struck twice

The Serie A champions earned the title last year by winning 23 and drawing 15 of their 38 matches.

Winning nine of their first ten fixtures this season showed they had no intentions of slowing down.

And they couldn't have asked for a better start when they took the lead after one minute with an offside goal.

Marko Vucinic played in Kwadwo Asamoah – who was a yard beyond of the last defender – and his low cross-shot was turned in by Arturo Vidal.

But Inter had no plans to let the Old Lady hit 50.

Great start: Arturo Vidal struck in the first minute

Great start: Arturo Vidal struck in the first minute

Fist pump: Milito celebrates as Juve's record come to the ground

Fist pump: Milito celebrates as Juve's record come to the ground

Diego Milito was fouled in the penalty area and slammed home the resultant spot kick.

He struck again 15 minutes later after Buffon parried a Freddy Guarin drive.

Rodrigo Palacio sealed the deal when he pounced late on and secure a fully deserved win for Inter.

Juventus' run started at the back end of the 2010-11 season, with a 2-2 draw against Napoli.

They remain top of the division from the side who turned them over, but how much damage will this do to the Bianconeri mentally

When Arsenal lost their footing against United in October 2004-05 they conceded the title to London rivals Chelsea.

Stretch: Gianluci Buffon is beaten

Stretch: Gianluci Buffon is beaten

Perhaps the greatest shame for Juventus is that unlike Arsenal, they did not topple their country's record for unbeaten consecutive league games.

Fabio Capello's AC Milan side hold that, an astonishing 58 games unbeaten between May 1991 and March 93, winning three Scudettos between 92 and 94.

No matter how great the achievement of 49 games without losing, not beating the Rossoneri's record will rankle.

Europa League round-up: Inter Milan and Lyon among winners

Europa League round-up: Night of few shocks with Inter and Lyon among the winners

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UPDATED:

21:28 GMT, 25 October 2012

Rodrigo Palacio headed home an 88th-minute winner as Inter Milan repelled the brave challenge of Partizan Belgrade at the San Siro and all but booked their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Palacio nodded home from a Diego Milito cross less than a minute after Lazar Markovic had a shot saved by Samir Handanovic at the other end, sending Inter joint top of Group H on seven points.

Inter share their lead with Rubin Kazan, for whom Alan Kasaev's 16th-minute goal proved enough to see off Azerbaijan side Neftci in Russia. Inter and Kazan now hold a six-point advantage over their group rivals.

Head boy: Inter Milan's Rodrigo Palacio rose highest to smash home a winner in the 88th minute

Head boy: Inter Milan's Rodrigo Palacio rose highest to smash home a winner in the 88th minute

Head boy: Inter Milan's Rodrigo Palacio rose highest to smash home a winner in the 88th minute

Elyaniv Barda also headed a late winner as Genk stayed unbeaten at the top of Group G after coming from behind to see off Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in Belgium.

Stijn Schaars put Sporting ahead on eight minutes, but Benjamin De Ceulaer equalised after 25 and Barda struck with three minutes to go after Sporting's Khalid Boulahrouz was sent off for a second bookable offence.

And Hungarians Videoton also continued their excellent form in the group with a 2-1 win over Basle. A Fabien Schar own goal paved the way for the hosts, who extended their lead through Marco Caneira before Schar scored at the right end in injury time.

Lyon maintained their 100 per cent record in Group I with a 2-1 win over last year's beaten finalists Athletic Bilbao. A Lisandro Lopez opener was cancelled out by Ibai Gomez before Jimmy Briand struck the winner four minutes from time.

First-half goals from Ladislav Krejci, Vaclav Kadlec and Ondrej Svejdik helped Sparta Prague to a 3-1 win over Ironi Kiryat Shmona, for whom Shimon Abuhatzira replied late on.

French fancy: Lisandro Lopez helped maintain Lyon's 100 per cent start to the group stage

French fancy: Lisandro Lopez helped maintain Lyon's 100 per cent start to the group stage

Lyon lead the group on nine points with Sparta clear in second on six.

In Tottenham's group, substitute Jose Toche grabbed an injury time equaliser as Panathinaikos drew 1-1 with Lazio in Group J. An own goal from Giourkas Seitaridis looked set to give the Italians the points before the late drama.

Lazio remain unbeaten on five points with Maribor in second, but all four sides are still in the running.

Late goals from Bonfim Marlos and Cleiton Xavier gave Ukrainians Metalist a 2-1 win at Rosenborg in Group K, after the Norwegians had led through Tarik Elyounoussi's 46th-minute strike.

But Metalist still conceded top spot in the group to Bayer Leverkusen, whose crushing 4-0 win at Rapid Vienna took them first on goal difference. Philipp Wollscheid, Karim Bellarabi and two from Gonzalo Castro did the damage.

Leaving it late: Panathinaikos' Jose Manuel Velazquez grabbed a last-gasp equaliser against Lazio

Leaving it late: Panathinaikos' Jose Manuel Velazquez grabbed a last-gasp equaliser against Lazio

Leaving it late: Panathinaikos' Jose Manuel Velazquez grabbed a last-gasp equaliser against Lazio

In Group L, Hannover stayed top after a dramatic 2-1 win at Helsingborg, Mame Biram Diouf opening the scoring for the Germans with Alvaro Santos equalising in injury time, only for Didier Ya Konan to restore Hannover's advantage in the third minute of added time.

Levante moved clear in second place with a 3-0 win over Twente, a Michel penalty setting them on their way and Pedro Rios adding a late double.

Reigning champions Atletico Madrid maintained their 100 per cent record in Group B with a 2-1 win over Academica, Diego Costa and Emre Belozoglu netting before Salim Cisse hit a late consolation for the Portuguese side.

Also in Group B, Viktoria Plzen moved clear in second place with a 2-1 win at Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Hanan Maman put the Israelis in front after 19 minutes, but Pavel Horvath equalised in first-half injury time and Frantisek Rajtoral hit the winner before home defender I'yad Hutba was sent off.

In Group A, a shock 3-1 defeat for Udinese away to bottom side Young Boys in Switzerland means things are very much to play for.

Raul Bobadilla grabbed a stunning hat-trick for Young Boys, who had gone into the game without a point, putting them 2-0 up with goals in the fourth and 72nd minutes and then wrapping up victory with a penalty after Andrea Coda briefly reduced the deficit.

Shock at last: In Liverpool's group, Young Boys produced an excellent performance to down Udinese

Shock at last: In Liverpool's group, Young Boys produced an excellent performance to down Udinese

Shock at last: In Liverpool's group, Young Boys produced an excellent performance to down Udinese

It was also all-change in Group C, where Egeman Korkmaz scored in the 72nd minute to give Fenerbahce a 1-0 win at AEL Limassol and move them to top the top of the group.

Marseille, who started the night on top, lost 2-0 at Borussia Monchengladbach, a Filip Daems penalty and a second-half strike from Peniel Mlapa moving the Germans level with their opponents on four points, with the Turkish side now out in front on seven.

Elsewhere in Newcastle's group, Bordeaux were held 1-1 at Maritimo. Yoan Gouffran's opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Roberge Valentin six minutes later.

Steaua Bucharest extended their lead at the top of Group E as goals from Vlad Chiriches and Raul Rusescu gave them a 2-0 win over Molde, while group rivals Stuttgart and FC Copenhagen played out a goalless draw in Germany.

Dnipro went five points clear at the top of Group F with an excellent 3-1 win over Napoli in Ukraine, Artem Fedetskiy, Matheus and Giuliano scoring before Edinson Cavani replied with a late consolation.

PSV Eindhoven and AIK drew 1-1 in Holland, Kwame Karikari putting the previously pointless Swedes in front on the hour before Jeremain Lens equalised with 10 minutes to go.

Celtic 1 Inter Milan 1

Celtic 1 Inter Milan 1: Commons injury gives Lennon cause for concern ahead of Euro tie

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UPDATED:

14:57 GMT, 28 July 2012

Rodrigo Palacio's last-gasp strike earned Inter Milan a draw against Celtic in their friendly at Parkhead, but Hoops boss Neil Lennon was left with more to worry about ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League clash against HJK Helsinki.

Kris Commons, whose fine strike just before the break gave the home side the lead, hobbled off near the end leaving Celtic to finish the game with 10 men after they had used all their outfield substitutes.

Lennon had already seen striker Anthony Stokes carried off on a stretcher in the first half and that will be a concern ahead of the opening leg of their qualifier against the Finnish side in midweek.

On target: Commons scored but was later forced off through an injury

On target: Commons scored but was later forced off through an injury

On the plus side, the Parkhead boss will be heartened by his side's display even though Celtic go into their European campaign with only one win in six pre-season friendlies.

Lennon fielded a strong side although skipper Scott Brown was missing while right-back Mikael Lustig partnered Charlie Mulgrew at centre-back.

There was a familiar look about Stokes and Gary Hooper in the Parkhead attack. Old foes Inter, whom Celtic had beaten in the 1967 European Cup final in Lisbon, also had well-known faces in their side such as had Matias Silvestre, Wesley Sneijder and Diego Milito.

Cause for concern: Stokes was carried off on a stretcher

Cause for concern: Stokes was carried off on a stretcher

After a minute's applause for former Celtic striker Joe McBride, who died last week, Celtic enjoyed plenty of possession and pressure in the early stages.

Mulgrew headed a Commons corner past the far post in the fourth minute. In the 12th minute Commons' drive from 25 yards was held by Inter keeper Samir Handanovic, who made a better save at his near post from Stokes five minutes later following another Hoops corner.

Inter did little but defend and they were let off the hook again when Lustig headed a Commons corner over the bar from six yards out.

Time to celebrate: Commons is mobbed after scoring the opener

Time to celebrate: Commons is mobbed after scoring the opener

There was a scare for Lennon in the 35th minute when Stokes was carried off on a stretcher after injuring his leg blocking a Esteban Cambiasso clearance on the touchline, to be replaced by Mo Bangura.

However, there was something for the Celtic boss and the home fans to cheer five minutes from the break when his side forged ahead.

Mulgrew picked out Commons at the other side of the box with a free-kick and the Scotland international took a touch before sending a looping volley over the head of the helpless Handanovic.

Late strike: Rodrigo Palacio scored for Inter Milan

Late strike: Rodrigo Palacio scored for Inter Milan

Commons began the second half by cutting inside on to his left foot and firing another long-range drive just over the bar.

He forced another save from Handanovic in the 76th minute with a delightful left-footed chip that appeared to be heading towards the far corner before it was clawed away by the Slovenia keeper.

Moments later the former Derby and Nottingham Forest player injured himself stumbling over the ball and hobbled around the pitch before going up the tunnel, leaving the home side with 10 men.

Inter took advantage with moments remaining. Celtic keeper Fraser Forster made a decent save from Cristian Divu's 25-yard drive, then another from Milito, before substitute Palacio turned the ball in from a few yards out after a Marko Livaja cut-back.

Zenit St Petersburg 3 Benfica 2: Shirokov strikes late as Russians win thriller

Zenit St Petersburg 3 Benfica 2: Shirokov strikes late as Russians win thriller

Roman Shirokov struck twice to power Zenit St Petersburg to a 3-2 win over Benfica in freezing conditions in their Champions League last 16 first-leg tie.

The midfielder equalised for the Russian champions in the 27th minute with a low volley into the far corner shortly after Maxi Pereira had put the visitors ahead following a free kick, and he grabbed the winner two minutes from time.

Late drama: Roman Shirokov celebrates after scoring the winning goal

Late drama: Roman Shirokov celebrates after scoring the winning goal

MATCH FACTS

Zenit St Petersburg: Zhevnov, Aniukov, Bruno Alves, Lombaerts, Hubocan, Denisov, Zyryanov, Shirokov, Kanunnikov, Kerzhakov, Faitzulin. Subs not used: Borodin, Rosina, Huszti, Lukovic, Semak, /02/15/article-2101666-11C0E707000005DC-276_634x474.jpg” width=”634″ height=”474″ alt=”Golden moment: Benfica took the lead after Maxi Pereira's strike” class=”blkBorder” />

Golden moment: Benfica took the lead after Maxi Pereira's strike

Going down: Benfica's Axel Witsel loses possession to Konstantin Zyryanov and Nicolas Lombaerts

Going down: Benfica's Axel Witsel loses possession to Konstantin Zyryanov and Nicolas Lombaerts

Aerial battle: Tomas Hubocan fights for the ball against Rodrigo

Aerial battle: Tomas Hubocan fights for the ball against Rodrigo

Arsenal hunt Benfica starlet Rodrigo

Arsenal in the hunt for 18m Benfica starlet Rodrigo as potential Van Persie replacement

Arsenal have lined up Spain Under 21 striker Rodrigo as a potential replacement for Robin van Persie but face a battle with Inter Milan to prise him away from Benfica.

With Van Persie out of contract at the end of next season and attracting interest from Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona, Arsenal are scouring the market for alternatives.

Left-footed Rodrigo has an 18million escape clause in his contract.

Talent: Benfica forward Rodrigo is wanted by Arsenal and Inter Milan

Talent: Benfica forward Rodrigo is wanted by Arsenal and Inter Milan

Bayern Munich have confirmed their interest in Manchester City striker John Guidetti.

The 19-year-old, who had a brief spell at Burnley last year, has impressed scouts while on loan at Feyenoord.

Bayern scouts watched the Sweden Under 21 star score a hat-trick against Vitesse on Sunday. Bayern also like Montpellier's Olivier Giroud.

Bolton told to pay 8m for Giovani dos Santos

Bolton ordered to stump up 8m for wantaway Spurs forward Dos Santos

Bolton have been told they will have to pay 8m for Tottenham striker Giovani dos Santos rather than take him on loan.

They have also failed to sign Benfica striker Rodrigo.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside said: ‘I have tried everything but the president of Benfica says he is not for sale at any price.’

On the move Giovani Dos Santos (top) is a target for Bolton boss Owen Coyle

On the move Giovani Dos Santos (top) is a target for Bolton boss Owen Coyle