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Milan hammered by Atalanta as Inter draw

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Inter manager Antonio Conte, in the cap, was sent off for protesting in the draw at Udinese.
Camera IconInter manager Antonio Conte, in the cap, was sent off for protesting in the draw at Udinese.

Serie A leaders AC Milan suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Atalanta but second-placed Inter Milan could only partially profit as their frustrated manager Antonio Conte was sent off in a 0-0 draw at Udinese.

Inter lacked pace and precision in rainy Udine on Saturday and saw Conte dismissed for his protests on 90 minutes as the Nerazzurri inched within two points of the Rossoneri at the halfway mark of the league season.

In Milan, Cristian Romero nodded home Atalanta's opener in a first-half controlled by the Bergamo guests, who struck again when the inspired Josip Ilicic was fouled by Franck Kessie and rose to convert the penalty on 53 minutes.

Milan brought on strikers Ante Rebic and new signing Mario Mandzukic to join Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but were stunned again when Duvan Zapata stormed down the left to score in the 77th.

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The results left Milan on 43 points after 19 games, two points clear of Inter at the top and six points ahead of Roma.

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The Milanese rivals will next play a city derby in Tuesday's Coppa Italia action.

Earlier, Roma edged promoted Spezia 4-3 in a stoppage-time thriller and avenged their midweek elimination suffered in the Coppa against the visitors.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's dramatic added-time winner, after Daniele Verde equalised for Spezia in the 90th minute, pushed Roma to within four points of Inter and one above Atalanta.

Borja Mayoral struck twice for the Romans though the visitors levelled temporarily for 1-1 through Roberto Piccoli's effort.

Rick Karsdorp made it 3-1 but the newcomers bounced back as Diego Farias scored on the hour to set up the frantic finale.

Spezia, who are playing their first top-flight season, sit next to Udinese and Fiorentina, four points clear of the drop zone.

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