Inter’s failure to beat Udinese in Serie A yesterday let AC Milan off lightly, according to Italian journalist Paolo Ziliani.

As league leaders Milan were thrashed at home to Atalanta 3-0, Inter had the opportunity to leapfrog their city rivals with victory at the Dacia Arena.

However, the Nerazzurri laboured to a goalless draw as they squandered chances and struggled to break through Udinese’s well-organised defence, leaving them trailing Milan by two points at the midway stage of the season.

Having failed to score for the first time in five matches and dropping points for the third time in four games, Antonio Conte’s side were unable to take full advantage of Milan’s defeat.

Meanwhile, Roma’s last-gasp 4-3 victory over Spezia saw the Giallorossi move just four points behind Inter, as the title race opened up once more.

Taking to Twitter and posting a screenshot of the Serie A table following yesterday’s results, Ziliani declared that Inter’s failure to win had once more let Milan off the hook.

“Once again, Inter’s slip up greatly mitigates the damage caused by Milan’s defeat against Atalanta,” Ziliani wrote.