London, England (CNN) -- The pressure on Inter boss Rafa Benitez intensified on Sunday as his team crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Chievo in Serie A.
To compound the issue, star striker Samuel Eto'o looks likely to receive a retrospective ban after television cameras showed him head-butting opponent Bostjan Cesar in the chest late in the first half.
The referee and officials missed the incident, which was reminiscent of Zinedine Zidane's head-butt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final in Germany, but if reported the Cameroon international is likely to be sidelined for several matches.
Chievo took the lead shortly before the Eto'o incident, when Sergio Pellissier headed home after 29 minutes.
And the home side made sure of victory eight minutes from time when substitute Davide Moscardelli tucked away a cross from Luca Rigoni.
Eto'o scored a brilliant individual goal in injury time but it was too little, too late.
"It's clear that after a defeat no-one is happy, the only thing I can say is that we worked very hard today and our reaction in the second half on a terrible pitch showed great character," Benitez said, AFP reported.
The result means his team is now in sixth place, nine points adrift of leaders and city rivals AC Milan.
CNN
