MILAN – Inter were forced to settle for a point in their Week 29 clash with Parma this afternoon as Andi Lila's 45th-minute header levelled things up following Fredy Guarin's long-range drive.
George Puscas was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up and it was the Romanian youngster who carved out the first opening 13 minutes in. The 18-year-old picked out Xherdan Shaqiri in the box with a decent pullback and the Swiss forward got his first-time effort on target but failed to trouble Antonio Mirante in the Parma goal.
The Nerazzurri were bossing possession and five minutes later Guarin looked to find Puscas with a cross, only for Pedro Mendes to clear the visitors' lines.
Inter did mange to draw first blood on 25-minute mark thanks to their Colombian midfielder. Collecting the ball 25 yards out, he unleased a powerful blast which deflected off Jose Mauri and into the corner, leaving Mirante with no chance.
Parma hit back and in the 38th minute Ishak Belfodil skipped away down the right flank before teasing his way past Andrea Ranocchia and going for the shot, ex-Parma man Felipe doing superbly to deny the Algerian.
Shortly afterwards Puscas was set up by Palacio but couldn't get enough on his header.
With the final seconds ticking down before the half-time whistle, Parma were suddenly level. Silvestre Varela's delivery from the right was met in the box by Lila and he nodded past Samir Handanovic.
Mateo Kovacic took over from Puscas during the break and might have restored the lead eight minutes after the restart. Juan Jesus whipped in a cross from the left and the Croatian connected with a diving header but was unable to direct it between the sticks.
Inter pushed forward and Parma battened down the hatches, restricting Inter to tentative long shots. First Marcelo Brozovic fizzed one wide then a few minutes later (68) a similar fate befell Rodrigo Palacio's effort.
Guarin tried his luck with a long-range free kick that was struck low and hard but ultimately didn't seriously test Mirante.
Parma remained compact and saw out the game to take home a point.
Inter 1-1 Parma (HT 1-1)
Scorers: Guarin 25, Lila 45.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 21 Santon, 23 Ranocchia, 26 Felipe (Podolski 76), 5 Juan Jesus; 13 Guarin, 18 Medel, 77 Brozovic; 91 Shaqiri (Hernanes 89); 8 Palacio, 28 Puscas (Kovacic 46).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 14 Campagnaro, 20 Obi, 27 Gnoukouri, 29 Camara, 33 D'Ambrosio, 55 Nagatomo, 93 Dimarco, 97 Bonazzoli.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Parma: 83 Mirante; 4 Mendes,15 Costa, 28 Feddal, 18 Gobbi; 23 Nocerino, 80 Jorquera (Cassani 83), 3 Lila (Ghezzal 46); 8 J. Mauri, 26 Varela; 10 Belfodil (Coda 77).
Subs not used: 91 Bajza, 22 Iacobucci, 13 Prestia, 17 Palladino, 21 Lodi, 27 Santacroce, 58 Esposito.
Coach: Roberto Donadoni.
Booked: Ranocchia 61, Felipe 73.
Added time: 1 + 4 minutes.
Referee: Peruzzo.
Assistants: Fiorito, Tasso.
4th man: Barbirati.
Additional assistants: Tommasi, Pinzani.
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