Final score

11 February 2007 15:00

ChievoVerona
Inter
6' (2nd half) Crespo
1' Adriano
Referee: Domenico Messina / Linesmen: Alessandroni, Maggiani / Fourth official: Orsato
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
46' Inter go into the break with a 1-0 lead.
45' 1 minute of added time to play.
44' Cambiasso concedes an attacking throw-in to deny Bogdani a chance from a Chievo counter.
42' Stankovic runs on to an Adriano pass and fires high and wide from 25 yards.
39' Chievo close to an equaliser. Semioli controls Brighi's looping pass over the Inter defence and cuts back for Obinna who is intercepted by Maxwell before Julio Cesar smothers.
37' Maicon combines with Adriano during a surging run down the middle. The Brazilian full-back looks to one-two with Crespo on the edge of the Chievo area but the Argentine forward is intercepted.
35' Crespo's first-time effort from Vieira's through ball is blocked by the onrushing Sicignano. Good counter-attack by the Nerazzurri.
33' Superb defending by Il Capitano. Zanetti races to beat Sammarco to Bogdani's pass wide and play to safety.
32' Materazzi blocks Obinna's cross from the by-line. Nothing comes of the resulting corner as Cordoba clears at the back post.
31' Julio Cesar rises to beat Albanian forward Bogdani to Lanna's fast cross in from the left.
30' After some pinball in the Chievo box, the Gialloblu clear Stankovic's corner as far as Cordoba, whose 20-yard follow-up shot is wide.
29' Stankovic's thunderous effort from the free kick comes off Obinna and goes behind for a corner.
28' Inter counter-attack and win a free kick just outside the Chievo area for a foul on Adriano by Mandelli, who is yellow-carded.
28' Semioli fails to connect with a Lanna left-wing cross for what would have been a good scoring chance for the Flying Donkeys.
27' Stankovic's hooked cross from the left flank is cleared by the Chievo defence.
24' Italiano's low effort is under the wall and into the arms of Julio Cesar.
23' Chievo awarded a free kick in a central position 25 yards out for a Cambiasso foul on Brighi.
22' Maicon blocks a Semioli cross from the left-wing by-line. Corner for Chievo.
19' Italiano collects an Obinna pass before blasting over the bar from 25 yards.
17' Julio Cesar catches a Lanna left-wing cross to deny the Chievo front men.
17' Maxwell controls well a weighted pass wide by Stankovic but slips while trying to squeeze between two Gialloblu players.
16' Julio Cesar is okay to continue, and play resumes at the Bentegodi.
14' Inter's Brazilian keeper requires medical attention after falling awkwardly.
14' Another Chievo free kick on the right. Julio Cesar is out quick to grasp Italiano's outswinging cross.
13' Julio Cesar blocks a fierce low strike from Obinna as Chievo hit us on the break.
11' At full stretch Sammarco connects with Semioli's fast ball in from the left, but the ball goes behind for a goal kick.
9' Free kick to Chievo 30 yards out on the right wing. Mantovani heads wide at the back post.
7' Crespo's headed pass for Stankovic is too long for the Serbian midfielder. Chievo regain possession.
5' Nsofor Victor Obinna's low strike from 30 yards is wide of the right post.
3' Julio Cesar rises to deny Nigerian forward Obinna a close-range chance on goal.
1' Welcome to the Stadio Bentegodi for Chievo v Inter. This afternoon's Serie A Week 23 match will be played behind closed doors.
1' That was Adri's 5th goal in his last 6 competitive games for the Nerazzurri.
1' GOOOAAAAALLLL!!!!!! Adriano collects a Stankovic pass and takes it several yards wide before rifling a terrific diagonal shot past Sicignano from the left edge of the box.
1' Chievo kick off against Inter, who are playing in shirts with the Pirelli logo in Chinese characters.
1' Before kick-off there will be a minute's silence to remember policeman Filippo Raciti and Sammartinese official Ermanno Licursi, who lost their lives in the recent spate of football violence.
1' Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell; 14 Vieira, 19 Cambiasso, 4 Zanetti, 5 Stankovic; 10 Adriano, 18 Crespo.
1' Chievo: 1 Sicignano, 27 Moro, 29 Mandelli, 4 Mantovani, 23 Lanna; 21 Sammarco, 11 Italiano, 33 Brighi; 7 Semioli, 81 Bogdani, 15 Obinna.
Minute Text commentary
49' Full time. Inter beat Chievo 2-0 and remain 11 points clear of Roma, 3-0 winners over Parma at the Olimpico.
49' Cruz' diving header from Adriano's right-wing cross is wide of the far post.
47' Figo turns Moro and Mandelli in the Chievo box before forcing a difficult save from Sicignano with a bullet shot. Nothing comes of the resulting corner as the Gialloblu keeper rises to beat Cruz to the ball.
45' 4 minutes of added time.
44' Inter make their third switch. On comes Julio Cruz for Hernan Crespo.
43' Lanna booked for fouling Adriano.
40' Julio Cesar pulls off an excellent save from Semioli's fierce diagonal effort. Nothing comes of the resulting corner.
38' Pellissier crashes home after meeting Italiano's ball over the Inter defence but the goal is disallowed for a foul by the Chievo sub on Ivan Cordoba.
36' Play resumes at the Bentegodi as Materazzi returns to the pitch.
34' Play interrupted as Materazzi receives treatment after being caught by Pellissier.
33' Adriano collects a Crespo cut-back and curls wide of the left post.
31' Chievo bring on Giuseppe Cozzolino for Erjon Bogdani.
31' Luis Figo replaces Dejan Stankovic.
29' Adriano bursts past two opponents but Sicignano is quick out to make a smothering save.
26' Cordoba blocks a Kosowski cross from the left-wing by-line. Julio Cesar then smothers the ball to deny Bogdani.
25' Mancini brings on Olivier Dacourt for Maxwell.
24' Kamil Kosowski drills left-footed over the bar from 30 yards.
24' Another Chievo corner. Italiano crosses, Adriano makes a headed clearance.
23' Kosowski volleys over from 20 yards after a half-clearance from a Chievo corner.
20' Materazzi booked for a foul from behind on Bogdani.
17' Del Neri brings on Pellissier for Obinna.
17' Kosowski chests down a high ball into the Nerazzurri box by Italiano and tries to lift it over Julio Cesar, but the Polish midfielder's effort is over the bar.
13' Materazzi dispossesses Obinna to end a fast run down the right by the Nigerian. Nothing comes of the resulting corner.
12' Crespo converts after meeting Adriano's deft through ball but the flag goes up for offside.
9' Chievo replace Brighi with Kosowski.
9' Headed clearance by Maicon from Semioli's right-wing centre.
6' That was the Argentine striker's 11th goal of the season.
6' GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!! Hernan Crespo controls a headed pass from Adriano, turns Mantovani and crashes a right-footer past Sicignano from 20 yards. Chievo 0-2 Inter.
4' Obinna turns Cambiasso in the box before firing high and wide.
3' Mantovani blasts wide after a half-clearance from a Chievo corner.
1' Inter get the second half under way.
1' Inter close to a third as Stankovic muscles his way into the box before curling wide of the far post.
1' Maicon's fast whipped cross from the right is headed out for an attacking throw-in by Moro.
Zanetti
7.86
7.86
Cordoba
7.11
7.11
Materazzi
7.6
7.6
Adriano
8.82
8.82
Crespo
8.02
8.02
Cruz
7.12
7.12
Stankovic
7.26
7.26
Cambiasso
7.27
7.27
Julio Cesar
7.43
7.43
Figo
7.49
7.49
Maicon
7.15
7.15
Maxwell
6.74
6.74
Dacourt
6.92
6.92
Vieira
6.98
6.98
Average rating 7.41
2 shots on target 4
7 shots off target 4
18 fouls committed 13
8 corners 2
0 offsides 2
21:44 ball possession 31:11
Mancini v Chievo

Roberto Mancini has faced Chievo ten times since becoming a coach. He has won 4 matches, drawn 4 and lost 2.

Details:

2001/02 Serie A Fiorentina-ChievoVerona 0-2 ----
2002/03 Serie A Lazio-ChievoVerona 2-3 1-1
2003/04 Serie A Lazio-ChievoVerona 1-0 0-0
2004/05 Serie A Inter-ChievoVerona 1-1 2-2
2005/06 Serie A Inter-ChievoVerona 1-0 1-0
2006/07 Serie A Inter-ChievoVerona 4-3 ----

Chievo v Inter

There have been five previous encounters between the two clubs in Verona. Inter have the edge with 2 wins (last win 1-0, 2005/06 Serie A), 2 draws (last draw 2-2, 2004/05 Serie A) and 1 defeat (2-1, 2002/03 Serie A).

Del Neri v Mancini

The two coaches have met on 9 previous occasions. There have been 3 victories apiece and 3 draws. Both coaches have a low points per match average for the month of February. Del Neri's is 1.44 (16 wins, 21 draws and 11 defeats from 48 games). Mancini's is 1.42 (6 wins, 9 draws and 4 defeats from 19 games).

Chievo's 200th Serie A match

Chievo v Inter is the Verona-based club's 200 game in the Italian top flight. The Flying Donkeys made their Serie A debut at the Artemio Franchi on 26 August 2001, winning 2-0 against Fiorentina.

Second-half collapses

Chievo have worsened their results in the second halves of matches this season to drop 11 Serie points.

Disciplinary situation

Chievo
Disqualified: D'Anna, Luciano.
Cautioned: Malaga, Moro, Pellissier, Sammarco, Semioli.

Inter
Disqualified: Burdisso.
Cautioned: Crespo, Dacourt, Stankovic.

Just one player sent off against Chievo this term

Chievo are one of two 2006/07 Serie teams to have had just one opponent sent off so far this season. The other team are AC Milan.

Del Neri closing in on 200th victory

Luigi Del Neri has taken charge of 477 professional matches in Italy, notching 199 wins, 175 draws and 103 defeats. He has won 60 games in Serie A, 19 in Serie B, 30 in Serie C1 and 90 in Serie C2. Del Neri's first coaching win was Altamura 0-2 Teramo, a Serie C2 match played on 7 October 1990.

Chievo and substitutions

Chievo and Atalanta are the only two 2006/07 Serie A teams to have used all their substitutions after 21 rounds of matches (63 out of 63).

Inter one win away from Euro record

Inter's 3-1 win at Torino on 13 January 2007 saw Mancini's side become the first to notch 12 consecutive victories since the one-division Serie A championship began in 1929/30. The Nerazzurri's last Serie A draw was a 0-0 stalemate at Udinese on 22 October 2006, while their last league defeat was a 1-0 reverse at Empoli on 30 April 2006. Since that date, Inter have collected 18 wins and 5 draws from 23 top-flight games. Another victory over Chievo in Week 23 will see Inter equal the European league record of 15 consecutive victories set by Real Madrid in 1960/61 and Bayern Munich between 2004/05 and 2005/06.

Inter unbeaten in 27 games

Inter are unbeaten in 27 competitive matches, with 23 victories (including 11 wins in a row - 7 wins in Serie A, 2 in Coppa Italia & 2 in Champions League from 25 October 2006 to 2 December 2006 - a club record under the administration of Moratti) and 4 draws since their last defeat, a 2-0 home loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on 27 September 2006.

Inter unbeaten in last 15 away matches

The Nerazzurri have collected 12 victories and 3 draws on their travels since their last away defeat: Sporting Lisbon 1-0 Inter (Champions League, 12 September 2006).

Inter's 355-minute invincibility

Luca Toni's 5th-minute goal in Inter 3-1 Fiorentina on 21 January was the last conceded by Mancini's side. Including the remaining 85 minutes of that game plus the three matches against Sampdoria (0-3 cup, 0-2 league, 0-0 cup), Inter haven't let in a goal for 355 competitive minutes.

Inter's second-half form

Inter have improved their results in the second halves of Serie A matches this season to collect a total of 13 points, more than any other team.

Crespo Serie A's most decisive player

Hernan Crespo is the most decisive player in the 2006/07 Serie A after 21 rounds of matches. The Argentine striker's goals have earned his team 15 points.

Grosso & goals in February

Fabio Grosso relishes scoring in February, with 5 of his 27 league goals scored in the second calendar month.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(9) draws(4) defeats(4)
VERONA - There were no signs of an Inter let-up as the Serie A championship resumed following the violence which brought Italian football to a standstill.

Adriano and Crespo, partnered up front in a starting lineup for the third time this season, scored in each half in Verona to keep the league leaders 11 points clear of Roma.

The 2-0 victory sees Inter equal the European record of 15 consecutive top-flight victories set by Real Madrid in 1960/61 and Bayern Munich between 2004/05 and 2005/06.

Sunday's clash at the Bentegodi - played behind closed doors - kicked off after a minute's silence to remember policeman Filippo Raciti and Sammartinese official Ermanno Licursi, who lost their lives in the tragic events of recent weeks.

Adriano gave the Nerazzurri a dream start in the opening minute with his fifth goal in six games. The Brazilian forward collected a Stankovic pass, beat Moro with a burst of pace and thundered a diagonal left-foot effort in off the far post.

Chievo rallied as Inter sat on their lead but failed to find a way through, with Julio Cesar keeping out efforts from Obinna and Italiano.

Gialloblu keeper Sicignano denied Inter a second goal before the break, making a vital one-handed save from Crespo who connected first-time with Vieira's through ball.

It was second time lucky for the Argentine forward, who doubled Inter's advantage in the 51st with his 11th of the season, a low right-footer under Sicignano after taking Adriano's headed assist past Mantovani.

Crespo then converted an Adriano through ball only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

Chievo were denied a late reply when Gialloblu sub Pellissier had a goal disallowed for a foul on Ivan Cordoba.

CHIEVO 0-2 INTER (HT: 0-1)

Scorers: Adriano 1, Crespo 51.

Chievo: 1 Sicignano, 27 Moro, 29 Mandelli, 4 Mantovani, 23 Lanna; 21 Sammarco, 11 Italiano, 33 Brighi (55 Kosowski 54); 7 Semioli, 81 Bogdani (10 Cozzolino 76), 15 Obinna (31 Pellissier 62).
Subs not used: 18 Squizzi, 19 Malagò, 20 Marcolini, 22 Rickler.
Coach: Luigi Del Neri.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell (15 Dacourt 70); 14 Vieira, 19 Cambiasso, 4 Zanetti, 5 Stankovic (7 Figo 76); 10 Adriano, 18 Crespo (9 Cruz 89).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 11 Grosso, 25 Samuel, 21 Solari.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Referee: Domenico Messina (Bergamo).

Booked: Mandelli 28, Materazzi 65, Lanna 88.

starting lineups

Sicignano 12 Julio Cesar
Moro 13 Maicon
Mandelli 2 Cordoba
Mantovani 23 Materazzi
Lanna 6 Maxwell
Sammarco 14 Vieira
Italiano 19 Cambiasso
Brighi 4 Zanetti
Semioli 5 Stankovic
Bogdani 10 Adriano
Obinna 18 Crespo

substitutes

Squizzi 1 Toldo
Malagò 11 Grosso
Kosowski 25 Samuel
Marcolini 7 Figo
Rickler 15 Dacourt
Cozzolino 21 Solari
Pellissier 9 Cruz