Stankovic stunner as Inter go top

Thomas Woods

• Last Updated: October 18. 2009 9:28PM UAE / October 18. 2009 5:28PM GMT

The Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic hailed a “perfect” first-half display after the Serie A champions went top of the table and sent a message to their rivals with a 5-0 demolition of contenders Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Esteban Cambiasso, Mario Balotelli and Stankovic scored first-half goals, with Patrick Viera and Maicon finding the net in the second half.

Stankovic’s strike was a stunner. The Genoa goalkeeper Marco Amelia hit a weak clearance and, from just inside Genoa’s half, the Serbian calmly volleyed into an unguarded net.

“To come to this stadium and win 5-0 shows that we had an excellent game,” said Stankovic.

Yesterday, Sampdoria missed the chance to join Inter on top spot after Lazio held them to a draw at the Stadio Olimpcio, in a game where each team had a player sent off.

Giampaolo Pazzini opened the scoring for the visitors in the 40th minute before Francesco Matuzalem equalised shortly before half-time.

After Marco Paladino picked up his second yellow card and was given his marching orders in the 55th minute, the Biancoceleste failed to capitalise and were also reduced to 10 men when Roberto Baronio was sent off with 17 minutes remaining.

Sampdoria almost won the game when Antonio Cassano hit the crossbar eight minutes from time but were left two points adrift of Inter.

Meanwhile, there were no Italian players on the 30-man shortlist for the 2009 Ballon d’Or award shortlist which was released yesterday by France Football magazine.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo head the list for the award, formerly know as the European Footballer of the Year. The winner will be announced on December 1.

* With agencies

For the Ballon d’Or shortlist, see www.thenational.ae/sport