Lazio beat depleted European champions Inter Milan 3-1 yesterday to take back a share of the Serie A lead.

Giuseppe Biava put Lazio in front in the 27th minute at the Stadio Olimpico and Mauro Zarate made it 2-0 in the 52nd. Playing against his former club, Goran Pandev pulled one back for Inter in the 74th but Lazio's new Brazil forward Hernanes sealed the match in the 89th.

Inter were without their top two strikers — Samuel Eto'o due to suspension and Diego Milito due to injury — as well as a host of other injured players, and Lazio dominated until Inter came alive in the final 15 minutes.

Lazio and AC Milan are tied with 30 points each, Juventus and Napoli are next with 24 apiece and Inter is tied for fifth with Palermo with 23.

Elsewhere this weekend, Milan hosts Brescia today and third-place Juventus visits Catania tomorrow.

With the matches spread out over four days, southern clubs Napoli and Palermo meet on Monday.

Milan have announced plans to send Alexandre Pato to a specialist at Duke University in the Unites States for consultation following a series of muscle injuries that have hampered the Brazil forward's career.

With Filippo Inzaghi out for the season, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho will again lead the Rossoneri attack.

Juventus and Sampdoria were each eliminated from the Europa League on Wednesday, while Napoli played at Utrecht on Thursday and Palermo hosted Sparta Prague.

"This is a bitter day, the most bitter since I've been here, but Juve has improved and I believe we're going to get back into Europe through the front door," Juventus coach Luigi Del Neri said following a 1-1 draw at Polish side Lech Poznan.

Juventus are hoping for a top-three finish, which would guarantee a spot in next season's Champions League.

Sampdoria, which is struggling without creative but temperamental forward Antonio Cassano, was beaten 2-1 at home by PSV Eindhoven.

Cassano is being punished for a verbal tirade directed at Sampdoria president Riccardo Garrone.

"He's irreplaceable but we're also missing other players. I think the club needs to make moves in the January transfer market," said Sampdoria captain Angelo Palombo.

In eighth place, Sampdoria hosts last-place Bari tomorrow.