Inter suffer Juventus defeat

CS Marítimo 2-2 FC Porto

Portuguese Liga leaders Porto let a comfortable-looking lead slip for the second time in a week as Marítimo fought back to earn a share of the spoils in a game where they finished with just nine men. Tomislav Šokota, Pedro Emanuel, Hélton and Jorge Costa were again absent, with youngster Ivanildo the only new face from the team that lost 3-2 against Artmedia on Wednesday.

Porto looked to be picking up where they left off when they went a goal behind through Manduca on seven minutes. But Co Adriaanse's side remained in touching distance, and fought back after half-time. Argentinian striker Lisandro López eventually equalised on 74 minutes, and two minutes later it was 2-1 when left-back César Peixoto applied the finishing touch to a swift counterattack. Marítimo's hopes appeared to have vanished when Sergipano was sent off shortly after, but Marcinho levelled with just four minutes remaining, before Valnei also saw red.

"Marítimo surprised me, especially in the first half. They have very quick players with very good shooting accuracy," Porto coach Adriaanse said. "In the first half, our opponent could have scored two or three more and then we couldn't manage to keep it at 2-1 after we'd fought our way back into the game. Then it was our time to miss some chances and they eventually drew."

Juventus 2-0 FC Internazionale Milano

Inter succumbed to a disappointing defeat at Juve, with David Trezeguet and Pavel Nedvěd both on target for the Serie A champions. The visitors went into the game without long-term absentees Siniša Mihajlović, Javier Zanetti and Cristiano Zanetti while flu ruled out Juan Sebastián Verón. David Pizarro replaced the Argentinian playmaker, linking up with Esteban Cambiasso in the heart of Inter's midfield, while Adriano was partnered by Obafemi Martins in a 4-4-2 formation.

But the side struggled to adapt to their new playing style, and were 2-0 behind by half-time. Mancini switched things at the interval, fielding four forwards in the second period and the change awakened Inter. However, they were unable to make the breakthrough, with Adriano and substitute Alvaro Recoba coming closest with long-distance free-kicks.

Mancini said: "We lacked the required determination. We weren't aggressive enough, although Juventus did not have many chances to score. We weren't able to launch a comeback after the break. We just need to keep on working." Adriano echoed his coach's thoughts, adding: "They started really well and we were unprepared. We have to improve."

Rangers FC 5-1 Dunfermline Athletic FC

After last week's defeat by Heart of Midlothian FC, Rangers returned to winning ways in style, racking up five goals against Dunfermline at Ibrox. Manager Alex McLeish made one change to the side that lost 1-0 to Inter on Wednesday, with Chris Burke making his first start of the season at the expense of Hamed Namouchi. The Scottish champions looked to be heading for a comfortable victory after first-half strikes from Thomas Buffel and Dado Pršo had given them a 2-0 interval lead.

But a headed goal from substitute Noel Hunt handed the visitors a lifeline nine minutes after the restart before Argentinian striker Federico Nieto eased the home crowd's frayed nerves when he chipped the goalkeeper with his first touch after replacing Buffel on 71 minutes. Moments later, Danish winger Peter Løvenkrands struck a right-foot volley from close range and substitute Ross McCormack sealed victory with four minutes remaining.

"There was better confidence about us today," said McLeish. "At 2-1 the players had to show a bit of character and not worry about the nerves too much. I deliberately sat back in the dugout rather than show any anxiety, but they got on with it and did really well."

FC Matador Púchov 1-2 FC Artmedia

Just days after a shock three-goal comeback at the expense of 2003/04 competition winners Porto, Slovakian champions Artmedia were almost on the receiving end of a scare as they laboured to a narrow win against struggling Púchov. With Pavol Staňo and Aleš Hellebrand both injured, the Bratislava outfit spent much of the first half on the back foot, and were lucky not to fall behind before the interval.

The home side deservedly broke the deadlock eight minutes after the restart, though, through the predatory Marek Bakoš, but Artmedia were level within three minutes after Lukáš Hartig was fouled. Ján Kozák stepped up and drilled in the spot-kick and, with ten minutes remaining, Juraj Halenár teed up Hartig to score the winner from close range, albeit at the second attempt.

The result keeps Artmedia in touch with the leaders in Slovakia, and coach Vladimír Weiss lauded his side's performance. "I'm satisfied with the result," Weiss said. "It wasn't easy to motivate the players for a league game after Wednesday's result, but we were active and Hartig missed countless opportunities to make the game safe earlier. The home team played their best game of the season, but I thank them for that - and my boys for their own performance."