Inter held 1-1 by Salernitana after late Candreva goal

MILAN: Former Inter Milan midfielder Antonio Candreva scored a stunning goal in the final minute to help Salernitana snatch a 1-1 draw against his old club in Serie A on Friday.

Candreva’s strike canceled out Robin Gosens’ early opener for Inter, who have not

won for more than a month — a run of five matches in all competitions.

Inter hit the woodwork twice, while Salernitana also hit the crossbar.

Inter remained a point below third-placed AC Milan, who were held by Empoli to 0-0 at home. Fifth-placed Roma was a point further back in a tight battle for the Champions League qualifying places.

Leaders Napoli won at Lecce 2-1 to move 19 points clear of second-placed Lazio, which hosts Juventus on Saturday. The other six league matches this weekend will all be played on Saturday because of the Easter holiday.

Milan host Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday, the day after Inter play at Benfica.

Inter’s first goal from open play in nearly 500 minutes came when Romelu Lukaku nodded on a Kristjan Asllani ball over the top for Gosens to sweep into the top left corner.

Lukaku should have doubled Inter’s lead on the stroke of halftime with a header from point-blank range which Salernitana goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa saved off the line with his knees.

Ochoa was the busier of the goalkeepers and he did well again early in the second half to fingertip Nicolò Barella’s strike onto the post.

Inter went even closer to doubling their lead from the ensuing corner with an incredible triple chance. First, Lukaku headed off the crossbar, then Ochoa denied Stefan de Vrij on the rebound, and the Inter defender’s followup was blocked by a Salernitana player.

Salernitana equalized in the final minute when what appeared to be a