Bologna vs. Inter Milan: Final score 1-3 as Inter temporarily move into 2nd place

Sometimes, one wonders why it's necessary for a match to be played at all, particularly when that match takes place in Bologna in the midst of pouring rain. Of course Inter Milan were going to come here and win?

But, despite what some might think, points cannot be awarded based on who is favored, nor on the basis of which side looked better throughout the match. And so the game is played, and we see some lovely goals and are treated to the sight of wet players slipping along the pitch.

Bologna started out the stronger of two sides, earning a free kick in the first two minutes. Unfortunately Alessandro Diamanti's shot landed just outside the far post. Less than five minutes later, Alberto Gilardino had a great opportunity to open the scoring, but his shot too went wide.

In the 11th minute, Juan Jesus tried his luck with a bicycle kick, but Federico Agliardi easily caught the ball. Inter's first real chance came in the 23rd minute, when Andrea Ranocchia headed on a free kick, but went wide of the target. Yes, there was a theme to this match.

Ranocchia made up for his mistake four minutes later. Michele Pazienza brought down Esteban Cambiasso, who took the resultant free kick himself. The ball curved invitingly toward the far post, where Ranocchia was waiting to head past an immobile Agliardi.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 53rd minute, catching Bologna off guard with a fast break. Rodrigo Palacio put the ball through to Diego Milito, who slotted his shot into the bottom right corner.

Bologna puled one back in the 58th minute when Inter failed to adequately defend a set piece. Nicolò Cherubin got on the end of Diamanti's ball, scoring easily with Samir Handanovic out of position. That's the first goal the nerazzurri have conceded away this season.

Shortly after the Bologna goal, chaos erupted on the sidelines. Although it's uncertain exactly what happened to cause an altercation between the benches, the result is clear enough: Beppe Baresi, Inter's assistant manager, and Stefano Pioli, coach of Bologna, were both sent off.

Inter took advantage of the disorder to score their third goal in the 63rd minute. Palacio was again the provider, sending the ball over to Cambiasso, who executed a lovely little chip over Agliardi and company. Bologna very nearly replied immediately, but despite a flurry of activity in front of Handanovic's goal, the Slovene managed to push the shot out for a corner, diffusing the danger.