Italian league-leader Inter Milan beat Siena 2-0 on Saturday and matched a 97-year-old club record with its 11th consecutive win in all competitions.
Nicolas Burdisso put Inter ahead in the 11th minute and Hernan Crespo scored his sixth goal of the season in the 54th, three minutes after Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar saved a penalty kick.
Inter has won seven straight in Serie A, two in the Champions League and two in the Italian Cup. Inter also had an 11-game winning streak in 1909-10.
PHOTO: REUTERS
"It gives us a lot of confidence, a feeling like we never lose," Cesar said. "We still haven't lost in the league."
Inter are the only unbeaten side in the league and have now 36 points from 14 games, four ahead of second-place AS Roma which beat Atalanta 2-1 for its sixth straight league win.
Francesco Totti scored two second-half penalty kicks following a 19th-minute goal by Atalanta forward Riccardo Zampagna.
At the San Siro, Inter was in control from the start with Burdisso charging into the area to head in a corner kick for his third goal in two games. The Argentine defender also scored twice in a 4-0 win over Messina on Wednesday in the Italian Cup.
Cesar blocked a controversial penalty kick by Mario Frick in the 49th after a foul by Inter defender Douglas Maicon. It was the second time Cesar has saved a penalty kick this season.
Crespo scored his goal by chipping the ball over Siena goalkeeper Alex Manninger, taking advantage of poor defending.
Inter argued for a penalty in injury time when Luis Figo was pushed down in the area.
At the Stadio Olimpico, Atalanta outplayed Roma in the first half.
Creative play by former Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni led to Zampagna's goal, which came from a rebound.
Doni also threatened in the 25th minute with a free kick around Roma's wall that went wide and Roma defender Philippe Mexes had to clear a dangerous cross with goalkeeper Alexander Doni out of position in the 41st.
Simone Perrotta replaced injured Vincenzo Montella at halftime and earned Totti's first penalty in the 50th. Totti was tripped to earn another penalty in the 63rd.
Totti missed his first three penalty kicks this season but converted both attempts this time, moving him into a tie with Christian Rigano for the league scoring lead with nine goals each.
In Serie B, Napoli drew 1-1 with Frosinone and moved a point ahead of Juventus and Bologna atop the standings. Juventus drew 1-1 at Genoa on Friday and Bologna beat Verona 1-0.
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