Inter and Juve share spoils in ‘Derby d’Italia’

MILAN — Inter Milan spurned the chance to take command of Italy’s top flight after a pulsating scoreless draw with Juventus that set a new Serie A record gate receipt record at a sold out San Siro Sunday. The ‘Derby d’Italia’ is one of the most popular fixtures in Italy and a total of 79,154 spectators turned out to watch the 165th edition at Inter’s shared ground, producing a new all-time gate receipt of 3,740,051 euros. Roberto Mancini’s highflyers hosted the four-time consecutive Serie A champion looking for its first home win in the derby since 2010, when Jose Mourinho led the Nerazzuri to an unprecedented treble of league, Cup and Champions League. A home win would also have pushed Juve 11 points adrift of Inter and even further away from successfully defending its title. In the end, the host was forced to settle for a share of the spoils, leaving Fiorentina, despite its 2-1 defeat to Napoli earlier Sunday, top of the pile with a one-point cushion on Roma. Inter remains third, on 17 points, with Napoli, Sassuolo and Lazio all two points adrift. Juventus, eight points behind Inter overnight amid what has been a terrible start to the season, now has nine points from eight games and sits 10 points adrift of Fiorentina. Lorient holds Marseille Marseille players were booed off the pitch Sunday after being held 1-1 by Lorient in the French league as the nine-time champion’s dismal season continued. Marseille failed to hold its lead when Lorient striker Benjamin Moukandjo equalized for the visitor in the 37th minute at the Stade Velodrome. Marseille dominated but lacked a cutting edge after Michy Batshuayi scored from the penalty spot in the 22nd to move to the top of the league scoring table with seven goals. Hatem Ben Arfa later joined the Belgium striker as the joint top scorer with a superb goal in Nice’s 4-1 win at Rennes. Marseille has now failed to win its last six matches in all competitions and is just four points above the relegation zone. — Agencies