Inter Milan resisted a spirited fightback to secure a 4-2 win over Verona at the San Siro and leapfrog the league newcomers into fourth in Italy's Serie A.
A day after club president Massimo Moratti set a date of November 15 for an official takeover by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir, Inter closed the gap on leaders Roma to five points on Saturday.
Roma, who have won nine games out of nine, face Udinese away on Sunday when second-placed Napoli and Juventus, in third, face Torino and Genoa respectively in a bid to close their own five-point deficit on the leaders.
Inter, Italy's last winners of the Champions League, in 2010, have made a solid start to this campaign following a disastrous ninth-place finish last season.
But despite dominating an entertaining and open encounter at the San Siro, Walter Mazzarri's side were aided by the defensive lapses which have been one of Verona's unwelcome characteristics so far this season.
Verona's second goal in the 71st minute from Romulo, however, underlined Inter's own lapses and Mazzarri told Sky Sport Italia: "We showed unnecessary naivety at times – we can't ever afford to let our guard down in this league.
"We played really well up to a certain point but if we want to be a side to be reckoned with, we can't afford to have these kind of slip-ups." Inter were gifted a welcome early lead when Vangelis Moras deflected a volley from unmarked Brazilian defender Jonathan past compatriot Rafael in the Verona goal in the ninth minute.
{{/usCountry}}"We played really well up to a certain point but if we want to be a side to be reckoned with, we can't afford to have these kind of slip-ups." Inter were gifted a welcome early lead when Vangelis Moras deflected a volley from unmarked Brazilian defender Jonathan past compatriot Rafael in the Verona goal in the ninth minute.
{{/usCountry}}More dubious defending from the visitors allowed the Nerazzurri to double their lead only three minutes later.