THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MILAN, Italy — Mario Balotelli came off the bench to score and earn Inter Milan a 1-1 draw away to Parma on Wednesday.
The young striker was on the pitch a matter of minutes when he equalized Valeri Bojinov’s opener. The Bulgarian began the scoring 10 minutes into the second half.
Late on Francesco Valiani was sent off, but Parma’s 10 men held on for the tie.
The result stretches Inter’s lead at the top of the Serie A to 53 points, nine ahead of AS Roma in second place. AC Milan is third on 42, but has played a game less. Parma’s point lifts it one place to 12th.
"Of course I’m happy to score," Balotelli said, "I’m just disappointed I didn’t go on and score the winner. But Parma played well and made life difficult for us."
Balotelli’s goal comes a week after he and Inter coach Jose Mourinho argued after the Portuguese substituted the 19-year-old during an Italian Cup match.
"I just want to play," Balotelli said. "Sometimes you’re in the team, sometimes you’re out. I just have to accept it (the coach’s decision)."
Inter went straight on the attack from kick off and twice in the opening five minutes Goran Pandev forced Parma keeper Antonio Mirante into full length saves with shots from the edge of the area.
Mirante then kept Parma in the match with two more crucial stops. In the eighth he held Thiago Motta’s header, then in the 33rd he blocked Diego Milito’s close range shot after Motta had played the Argentine into space behind the Parma defence.
In the 54th Parma took the lead. Cristian Zaccardo flicked on Daniele Galloppa’s corner and Bojinov scored from close range when Inter’s defence was unable to clear.
The lead didn’t last long. Esteban Cambiasso swung over a corner and Balotelli held off Paulo Dellafiore to turn and shoot from close range.
Inter stopper Julio Cesar made an important save in the 60th, blocking Jonathan Biabiany’s low shot after the French striker had beaten Inter defender Marco Materazzi for pace.
In the 72nd Valiani was sent off for two yellow cards, but despite enjoying a one man advantage Inter was unable to find the winner.
"The match changed a lot," Mourinho said. "They scored, then we scored, then there was the red card. I’m not disappointed with my players, I’m a long way from being disappointed."