Inter beats Spal 2-0 to stay close to Milan ahead of derby

Milan: Inter Milan managed a confidence-boosting win ahead of next weekend's derby against AC Milan but its misfortunes continued.

Matteo Politano and Roberto Gagliardini scored in the second half on Sunday to help Inter to a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Spal.

Inter had earlier seen a goal ruled out on video review and penalty appeals waved away, while Marcelo Brozovic and Joao Miranda went off injured.

The Nerazzurri remained fourth, a point behind AC Milan. The top four from Serie A qualify for the Champions League next season.

Fifth-placed Roma is six points behind and hosts Empoli on Monday.

"It was important to get back to winning ways, there wasn't much space but we found the goals in the end," Inter midfielder Joao Mario said.

"We did well today, the prospect of overtaking Milan by winning the derby needs to spur us on."

Inter was still without Mauro Icardi, who has not played since being stripped off his captaincy amid protracted contract negotiations. Icardi has said he has a knee injury.

"I'm not going to talk anymore about Icardi, whatever I say becomes taken in a different way," Inter coach Luciano Spalletti said.

"Will he play in the derby? I'm not going to respond to questions about Icardi, otherwise we won't talk about football." Lautaro Martinez thought he had given Inter the lead after a half-hour but the referee ruled it out for handball following a pitchside review.