Not the best of weeks for Claudio Ranieri at Inter as his team suffered yet another loss, this time to lowly Novara. The defeat capped of a miserable run of results for the Nerazzurri which has seen them claim just one point in their last four fixtures. Incredibly, after defeating Inter early in the season, the Biancoazzurri have claimed a most unlikely double over the 2010 Champions League winners.  Earlier in the season the loss to Novara cost Gian Piero Gasperini his job. It remains to be seen whether it could cost Ranieri his, but, it most certainly has increased the pressure on the former Roma boss.

Thursday 9th February

The weekend action started earlier when Cesena traveled to Lazio.  The Seahorses rushed into a 2-0 goal lead thanks to goals from Adrian Mutu and a penalty from new signing Vincenzo Iaquinta which saw Abdoulay Konko sent off. Then in a mad second half Lazio hit back with three goals which gave them a brilliant victory. The goals came from Hernanes, Senad Lulic and Libor Kozak who netted the winner.

Saturday 11th February

AC Milan won away at Udinese thanks to a brilliant winning goal by young striker Stephan El Shaarawy. The Zebrette took the lead thanks to a deflected effort from Antonio Di Natale. Late in the second half substitute Maxi Lopez tapped home from close range after a Samir Handanovic fumble. Lopez then turned provider for El Shaarawy who fired home from his cross to give Milan a much needed victory.

The other game on Saturday saw Cagliari win at home against Palermo. Mauricio Pinilla gave the home side the lead when he bundled the ball home from close range. He refrained from celebrating, however, in respect to his former employers. Former Sampdoria player Daniele Dessena then doubled the lead. With ten minutes remaining there was some light for the away side when they were awarded a late penalty which Abel Hernandez successfully converted.

Sunday 12th February

Atalanta’s home game with Lecce ended in a 0-0 draw. The home side came close to breaking the deadlock when hitting the woodwork twice and had they also had a strong penalty case turned down when German Denis was fouled in area. Replays showed that the decision not to award the penalty was the right one.

Catania thrashed a sorry Genoa side 4-0 at home at the weekend; Francesco Lodi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Gomez was fouled in the area. Two goals from Pablo Barrientos and then Gonzalo Bergessio added the fourth.

Inter Milan were embarrassed at home by lowly Novara 1-0 thanks to a brilliant strike by Andrea Caracciolo who curled in a lovely effort past Julio Cesar. Novara did have to play the last ten minutes with ten men after Ivan Radovanovic was sent off for picking up two yellow cards, the second yellow was for dissent as he kicked the ball away.

Monday 13th February

The weekend action extended to Monday night as there were two games. Siena overcame Roma at home 1-0 thanks to a soft penalty. Sub Simon Kjaer stuck out a leg on Mattia Destro and the referee pointed to the spot, Emanuele Calaio stepped up and converted the spot kick. Roma threw everything in the final ten minutes at Siena but Giuseppe Sannino men defended brilliantly.

The last game of the weekend was Napoli home game against Chievo, Napoli got the win thanks to two goals in the first half by Miguel Britos and a penalty from Edinson Cavani.