Daniele Ragatzu struck late as Cagliari snatched a comeback 2-2 draw at Sassuolo to move fourth in Serie A on Sunday, as Mario Balotelli scored his 50th Italian league goal to lift Brescia off the bottom of the table.

But Fiorentina fell to their fourth consecutive defeat 2-1 at Torino, with coach Vincenzo Montella under increasing pressure with the Tuscany side just five points above the relegation zone.

Cagliari again left it late thanks Ragatuz’s equaliser after 90 minutes, having snatched victory against Sampdoria on Monday five minutes into injury time.

Inter Milan remain top of the table after their goalless draw against Roma on Friday with champions Juventus two points behind after falling to their first defeat of the season 3-1 at Lazio on Saturday.

Sassuolo, in 14th, had been two goals up after Domenico Berardi struck after seven minutes and was then involved in Djuricic’s goal after 36 minutes.

Joao Pedro’s header got the Sardinians back into the game after the break, but Berardi missed from the spot, with Jeremie Boga having a goal ruled offside for the hosts, who had held Juventus 2-2 last time out.

A mix-up in the Sassuolo defence allowed Ragatzu to finish off, to earn a point.

– ‘Delicate moment’ –

But Fiorentina are in freefall and without injured Franck Ribery they slipped to 13th.

Former AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso is reported to be waiting in the wings to replace Montella.

“It’s a delicate moment, even the players have little peace of mind,” said Montella.

“I have the strength continue on, I trust that things can improve.”

Balotelli scored his third goal this season to lift Brescia off the bottom of the standings with a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers SPAL, who drop to 20th place.

The former Manchester City striker tapped in after 54 minutes to get Eugenio Corini off to winning return after he was rehired less than a month after being sacked.

It was promoted Brescia’s third win this season and first since September 21 against Udinese.

“It was time for us to win a game. We have tried many times, today it was very difficult, but slowly everything turns,” said the former Inter and AC Milan forward.

“Scoring in front of the fans is beautiful, I dedicate the goal to my children.

“Everyone wants to play in the Euros, but the only thing in my mind right now is saving Brescia.”

Genoa threw away a two-goal lead to finish to draw 2-1 with at promoted Lecce, in a match the visitors finished with nine players.

Genoa are now in 18th position, with city rivals Sampdoria hosting Parma later on Sunday while AC Milan travel to Bologna, with both teams looking to return to the top half of the table.

Source: AFP