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Icardi's goal, Handanovic's late save lead Inter back to Serie A summit

Reuters

Milan - Inter Milan provisionally returned to the top of Serie A on Tuesday with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Bologna that snapped a run of four games without a victory for Roberto Mancini's side.

Inter were forced to play the final 30 minutes a man down after Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo was sent off, but the visitors were gifted all three points as a defensive error enabled Mauro Icardi to slot home the only goal of the game on 67 minutes.

Icardi 0-1 - Streamable

A first win for the Nerazzurri in over a month saw them move a point clear at the top, although erstwhile leaders Roma could reclaim first place when they host Udinese on Wednesday.

Napoli, Fiorentina and Lazio are all three points behind Inter with a game in hand, while defeat for Bologna left the promoted side still languishing in the relegation zone.

The visitors had netted just nine goals through nine matches and offered precious little going forward early on as Ljajic's long-range free-kick that was easily held by Bologna goalkeeper Angelo Da Costa just before the break represented the lone shot on goal in a quiet opening 45 minutes.

Inter was reduced to 10 men on the hour when Melo picked up a second booking, ruling him out of Saturday's visit of Roma, but the away side was gifted the breakthrough goal shortly after as Bologna right-back Alex Ferrari misplayed an innocuous-looking through ball, with Ljajic racing onto it before squaring for Icardi to apply a simple finish.

Bologna were left in disbelief in stoppage time as Handanovic pulled off an incredible reflex save to deny substitute Mattia Destro and preserve a sixth clean sheet in 10 matches for the league's meanest defence.

Samir Handanovic - Streamable

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