Dull Juventus held to draw despite Matri's brace

Alessandro Matri's brace was not enough to resume winning for struggling giants Juventus Saturday as they drew 2-2 with 10 men away to relegation-threatened Cesena.
The draw did little to improve Juve's seventh place in the Serie A, but ended a run of three defeats suffered without scoring a single goal.
With nine games remaining, the Turin side lag four points from sixth place that qualifies for the next Europa League.
In Cesena, Juve displayed the usual repertoire of missed passes applied to little effective tactical schemes, but managed to build a two-goal lead as Matri found the far angle off an assist by the inspired captain Alessandro Del Piero.

His second goal on 35 minutes was a header into the gaping goal after Del Piero received Matri's feed but slammed it against the closest post.

Del Piero had earlier set up also Simone Pepe, who embarrassed himself with a botched volley before goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli.

Home striker Emanuele Giaccherini cut an even worse figure when he graced Gianluigi Buffon, firing wide before the empty net after his first attempt bounced off the post.

Cesena pulled one back on 41 minutes when Chilean Luis Jimenez converted a spot kick awarded as Buffon floored the onrushing Marco Parolo.

Before the break, things got tough for Juve with the dismissal of defender Marco Motta due to a second booking received for a debatable foul on Giaccherini.

A nasty low shot from Giuseppe Colucci after the break forced a great save from Buffon by his left post, while Giaccherini and Erjon Bogdani on the hour failed to tap in after the international goalkeeper parried a fast effort from Jimenez.

A deflected drive from French substitute Dominique Malonga caused further trouble for Buffon, who stood no chance on Parolo's low drive with 10 minutes left.

Title holders Inter Milan only drew 1-1 at lowly Brescia Friday, slowing down their chase of leaders AC Milan as they seek a difficult qualification in the Champions League.

The Nerazzurri had Cameroon bomber Samuel Eto'o on target in the first half, but were stunned in the final minutes by an Andrea Caracciolo header, who had a 90th-minute penalty saved by Julio Cesar.

The European champions have now their sights set on a daunting task Tuesday away to Bayern Munich, who hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg in the round of 16 as they seek revenge from the continental final they lost in May.

In the home league, Inter moved within four points of Milan, but the Devils can regain a wider lead Sunday as they look at an easy home tie with bottom side Bari.