INTER Milan’s hopes of qualifying for Europe were dented Sunday when it suffered a shock 1-2 defeat at relegation-threatened Crotone in Serie A.

    Inter’s dreams of sneaking into the UEFA Champions League were already over but it now faces the prospect of failing to qualify for the Europa League following a first-half double from Diego Falcinelli. Inter slipped to seventh, two points behind AC Milan and the last qualifying spot for the Europa League. The two Milan teams face off in a derby Saturday.

    Crotone gave itself hope of escaping relegation as it moved to within three points of 17th-placed Empoli.

    Crotone took a deserved lead in the 18th minute when Gary Medel handled in the area and Falcinelli drilled the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner. Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic guessed the right way but could not make the save.

    Falcinelli doubled his tally four minutes later as he narrowly avoided being caught offside, sprinted forward and lifted the ball over Handanovic.

    It was almost 3-0 shortly before halftime but Joao Miranda stopped Marcus Rohden’s goal-bound effort with his chest near the line.(SD-Agencies)