Giampaolo Pazzini scored a brace on his debut as Inter Milan fought back from a two-goal half-time deficit to beat Palermo 3-2 on Sunday. The win kept the champions in the title race following leaders AC Milan's 2-0 win at Catania on Saturday, leaving them nine points behind but with a game in hand.
Fabrizio Miccoli and Antonio Nocerino had given the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break while Javier Pastore hit the post and had a penalty saved for the Sicilians. But Pazzini's double got Inter back on level terms before Samuel Eto'o smacked home the winner from the spot. "I never imagined having a day like this, it really was a dream," Pazzini told SkySport.
"This team isn't satisfied, we still have the desire to win. For me it was great to play with so many great players. It was a great day, I really enjoyed it."
Inter made a blistering start as Maicon's shot with the outside of his right boot flashed just wide on three minutes. But two minutes later it was Palermo who went in front as Mattia Cassani skipped around Davide Santon and crossed for Miccoli to tap home from close range. Inter came storming back and Eto'o crossed into the box but Diego Milito arrived a split second too late.
Lucio headed a Miacon corner straight at goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu while Thiago Motta blazed over. Palermo went two up on 36 minutes as Inter again failed to deal with a Cassani cross from the right, Nocerino arriving at the back post to turn inside Maicon and beat Julio Cesar at his near post.