After an early scare, Inter came from 1-0 down to beat Parma 5-2 at San Siro thanks to a Dejan Stankovic's hat-trick. It looks as an easy win but it was not. It could have been 5-5. Inter now trail Serie A leaders AC Milan by seven points after Rossoneri drew 1-1 at Sampdoria on Saturday.

Inter made only one change to the team who beat Twente in the UEFA Champions League's 5th day - Davide Santon replacing the suspended Samuel Eto'o on the left.

Parma got off to the better start and took the lead in the 4th minute with Nerazzurri's former striker Hernan Crespo. The Argentinian goal instinct is still intact but even Materazzi deserves some credit for the opening goal. You don't need to be quick as Usain Bolt if you are in the right position but the 37-year old centre-back is always late against any forward and always will be. The reason is quite simple: 'Matrix' can't read the game - a perennial weak point of his game. A physical player deprived of his physical strengths is at best useless, at worst damaging. This is Materazzi's current status: a disaster waiting to happen; a big advantage Benitez mysteriously keeps conceding to any opponent.

After Crespo's goal the Spanish coach re-shuffled his side to halt Giovinco's movements between Inter lines. Ten minutes were more than enough to realise the hosts formation was wrong so Benitez wisely changed the initial 4-2-3-1 to the 4-4-2 adopted against Twente. On 18 minutes Dejan Stankovic's 20 yards shot was deflected past Mirante. Few seconds later the Serbian midfielder tried again his luck to find [incredibly] another decisive deflection which gave Inter the lead.

The 2-1 for Nerazzurri didn’t faze the home side, who continued to attack. Four minutes later Cambiasso scored the third from few yards. Second goal in five days for the Argentinian midfielder. Too quick, too easy to be real. It wouldn't be Inter. On 36 minutes another defensive error from Materazzi allowed Crespo to pull one back - 146th goal in Serie A for the former Lazio, AC Milan and Inter striker, equalling an Argentinian legend like Omar Sivori). At half time Natalino replaced Santon.

After the break Angelo nearly made 3-3 hitting Inter's post. The win against Twente restored Inter's confidence and despite Parma playing well and aggressively, Nerazzurri didn't choke and scored the 4-2 with Thiago Motta, who had replaced [a very positive] Biabiany few seconds earlier. Goal aside the Brazilian playmaker had an immediate impact on the game putting the match to bed, dictating a slower tempo.

Under Benitez he could become a key player for Inter, as his passing and his vision are quite similar to Xabi Alonso's. On minutes 74 Crespo hit the post and one minute later it was Stankovic to score his third to make it 5-2. There was still time for a missed tap in from Pandev and two brilliant saves from Castellazzi.

Seven goals at San Siro seemed the best way to celebrate Alessandro Altobelli's 55th birthday. World champion with Italy in 1982, the former Inter striker scored 128 goals for Nerazzurri in 317 Serie A's games. A legend.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Dejan Stankovic. Committed, inspired, inspiring, brave and lucky. A powerful force in Inter midfield. A hat-trick and a standing ovation to underline his outstanding form.

Serie A 2010-11 / Day 14

INTER-PARMA 5-2 (3-2)

INTER: Castellazzi; Cordoba, Lucio, Materazzi, Zanetti; Stankovic (78' Nwankwo), Cambiasso; Santon (46' Natalino), Sneijder, Biabiany (67' Motta); Pandev. Coach: Rafa Benitez
PARMA: Mirante; Zaccardo, Paletta, Lucarelli, Antonelli; Candreva, Dzemaili, Gobbi (46' Valiani); Giovinco (72' Bojinov), Crespo, Angelo (91' Ze Eduardo). Coach: Pasquale Marino

Referee: Giannoccaro
Goals: Stankovic 18', 19', 75', Cambiasso 23', Thiago Motta 68'; Crespo 4', 36'
Yellow cards: none