Final score

26 September 2007 20:30

Inter
13' (2nd half) Figo
4' (2nd half) Ibrahimovic
23' Ibrahimovic
Sampdoria
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento / Linesmen: Rossomando, Strocchia / Fourth official: Saccani
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
46' Half time. Inter 1-0 Sampdoria.
45' 1 minute of added time.
44' Roma are back in front in Florence.
41' Another chance for the Nerazzurri. Ibra's cross for Crespo is intercepted by Mirante.
40' Cesar misses a great chance to double Inter's lead. The Brazilian latches on to Dacourt's deft through ball but fires wide of the far post.
36' Mirante makes a smothering save to deny Crespo a close-range chance from Maxwell's left-wing cross.
35' Javier Zanetti leads by example. Il Capitano wins the ball off Franceschini in his own box and then sets off one one of his trademark runs, drawing applause from the Inter faithful.
27' Cambiasso serves Crespo but the striker fails to connect. In the meantime a roar rings round San Siro as the news comes through that Fiorentina have equalised against Roma.
26' The flag stays down as Ziegler runs to meet a Franceschini through ball. Julio Cesar is quick off his line and gathers.
23' IBRACADABRA!!!!! Zlatan receives in a central position 30 yards out, makes a short run on goal and buries his fifth of the season past Mirante. Inter 1-0 Sampdoria.
23' Zanetti collects a short pass for Figo and crosses for Cambiasso. Sampdoria clear.
21' Maxwell combines well with Cesar on the left and crosses. Cambiasso fails to connect and Samp clear as far as Figo. The veteran's shot is blocked, and then Dacourt's looping follow-up effort is caught by Mirante.
19' Two chances for Samp. Samuel blocks a Caracciolo shot from 25 yards. Moments later Sammarco's fierce drive goes a yard wide.
18' Zanetti wins Inter a corner after some neat footwork in the Blucerchiati box.
17' Cesar creates space for a shot from the left wing but his low effort is disappointing.
16' Sammarco plays in Zenoni down the right. The Samp winger's cross is blocked by Maxwell.
13' Samuel gets a touch to Figo's free kick but it's well off target. Zanetti pounces on the loose ball and shoots but Samp block.
12' Campagnaro bundles Maxwell off the ball on the left wing. A free kick is given.
11' Both sides have made a cautious start to the match but Inter appear to be knocking the ball around with more confidence. The Samp players are finding the slippery pitch hard to cope with.
10' Crespo's header from Figo's cross is wayward.
7' Ziegler blocks a Figo cross. Another corner for Inter.
7' Figo crosses from the right-wing corner flag. Cambiasso fails to connect at the far post.
6' Inter attack back. Figo plays in Dacourt whose fast low cross is blocked by Mirante's feet. Corner for the Nerazzurri.
5' Another corner to Samp after Zanetti's tackle on Caracciolo.
4' Nothing comes of the corner but Samp get the back back into the box and Campagnaro lashes over from close range.
3' Samuel outjumps Caracciolo to a Ziegler cross and heads out for a corner.
2' Figo runs down the right and swings in a cross. It goes behind at the back post.
1' Welcome to a rainy San Siro for Inter v Sampdoria.
1' Inter kick off. FORZA NERAZZURRI!!!
1' Sampdoria: 83 Mirante; 16 Campagnano, 14 Sala, 6 Lucchini; 77 Zenoni, 21 Sammarco, 17 Palombo, 19 Franceschini, 3 Ziegler; 11 Bellucci, 29 Caracciolo.
1' Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 4 Zanetti, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 6 Maxwell; 7 Figo, 15 Dacourt, 19 Cambiasso, 31 Cesar; 18 Crespo, 8 Ibrahimovic.
1' A win tonight will see Inter go top of the table if Totti-less Roma lose in Florence.
Minute Text commentary
47' That's it folks. The Nerazzurri beat Sampdoria 3-0. See you on Saturday for Roma v Inter.
45' 2 minutes of added time.
45' Pelé has a shot easily saved by Mirante.
45' Samp win a free kick. Cassano's effort hits the wall.
43' Maxwell close to a fourth for Inter. The little Brazilian drifts wide in search of space, gets it, and sends his shot wide of the left post.
41' The Meazza now goes ooooohhh as Esteban Cambiasso sends a low shot wide of Mirante's left-hand post.
41' Fiorentina have equalised against Roma and the Meazza roars again.
40' Samuel steals in at the back post to meet Maxwell's curling cross from the left but Lucchini beats the Argentine defender to the ball.
39' With his first touch of the ball Suazo makes a darting run on goal and fires wide from 20 yards.
38' Standing ovation for Luis Figo, who is replaced by David Suazo.
34' Adriano swings in a cross from the left but it's over everyone's heads.
32' Figo makes a goalline clearance from Campagnaro, who moments later heads over a corner.
30' Portuguese youngster Pelé comes on for his competitive debut. Off comes Hernan Crespo.
26' Walter Mazzarri makes his third switch. Bonazzoli replaces Caracciolo.
25' Figo's outswinging free kick is cleared as far as Dacourt whose rising drive is high and wide.
25' Reto Ziegler is shown a yellow card for a rash challenge on Javier Zanetti. The free kick is out on the right wing.
22' Adriano muscles his way into the Samp box from the right and delivers a low cross. Samp clear.
20' Caracciolo's cross is headed clear by Samuel.
18' Sampdoria bring on Delvecchio for Bellucci.
18' Inter bring on Adriano for Ibrahimovic, who comes off to standing ovation.
17' At the other end Ziegler fires high and wide from long range.
17' Hernan Crespo is flagged offside as he runs to meet Cambiasso's ball over the Genoan defence.
13' GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!! LUIS FIGO!!!!!!!!! The Portuguese ace receives from Crespo, enters the area and crashes home his right-foot shot. Inter 3-0 Sampdoria.
12' Ibrahimovic is booked for kicking the ball at an opponent.
11' Cassano chests a Ziegler cross into the path of Bellucci. Maxwell intercepts.
9' Sampdoria bring on Antonio Cassano for Daniele Franceschini.
8' Figo's inswinging corner is caught by Mirante.
7' Campagnaro intercepts Figo's cross for Cambiasso. Seconds later the Samp defender blocks a Maxwell cross. Corner for Inter.
4' Inter hit back and score through...., yes, you guessed who. Zlatan Ibrahimovic!!! And what a goal by the Swedish forward. He dances past three opponents with a dazzling piece of skill, creating space to drill home a left-footed shot from inside the area.
3' Another chance for Samp. Maxwell heads back to Julio Cesar to deny Caracciolo a chance from Ziegler's left-wing cross.
2' Samp break and get into the Inter box but ten out of ten to Samuel for thwarting Sammarco.
2' Crespo combines with Cesar in the Samp area. The Brazilian's backheeled return pass is intercepted.
1' Sampdoria kick off the second half. It's still raining at San Siro.
Zanetti
7.95
7.95
Cordoba
6.88
6.88
Adriano
7.23
7.23
Crespo
6.73
6.73
Cambiasso
7.07
7.07
Julio Cesar
7.04
7.04
Samuel
7.31
7.31
Figo
8.44
8.44
Cesar
6.91
6.91
Maxwell
7.07
7.07
Dacourt
7.29
7.29
Ibrahimovic
9.51
9.51
Suazo
6.48
6.48
Pelé
6.69
6.69
Average rating 7.33
6 shots on target 1
5 shots off target 7
16 fouls committed 13
5 corners 4
2 offsides 1
36:46 ball possession 21:15
Mancini v Mazzarri

The two coaches have met on 6 previous occasions. Mancini has never lost against the current Samp coach, whose teams have failed to find the net in their 3 draws and 3 defeats.

Details:

2004/05 Serie A Inter-Reggina 0-0 0-0
2005/06 Serie A Inter-Reggina 4-0 4-0
2006/07 Serie A Inter-Reggina 1-0 0-0

Mancini v Sampdoria

Mancini is set for his 11th competitive encounter with Sampdoria. He has yet to lose against his former team, with 6 wins and 4 draws from 10 games.

Details:

2003/04 Serie A Lazio-Sampdoria 1-1 2-1
2004/05 Serie A Inter-Sampdoria 3-2 1-0
2005/06 Serie A Inter-Sampdoria 1-0 2-2
2006/07 Serie A Inter-Sampdoria 1-1 2-0
2006/07 Coppa Italia Inter-Sampdoria 0-0 3-0

Mazzarri v Inter

Walter Mazzarri has faced Roberto Mancini on six previous occasions and has never won, with 3 draws and as many defeats.

Details:

2004/05 Serie A Reggina-Inter 0-0 0-0
2005/06 Serie A Reggina-Inter 0-4 0-4
2006/07 Serie A Reggina-Inter 0-0 0-1

Inter one away from 200th goal against Samp

Inter have scored 199 goals in their 112 competitive meetings with Sampdoria (104 home matches, 95 away games). Inter's first goals against the Blucerchiati were scored by Zaprain and Campatelli in a 2-1 victory on 2 February 1947. Bassetto replied for the Genoans on that occasion.

Suazo & goals against Samp

David Suazo has scored 102 goals since moving to Italy in 1999. The Honduran forward counts Sampdoria as one of his favourite targets, with 7 goals in games against the Blucerchiati.

Inter: 40-match scoring run at home

The Nerazzurri have scored in 40 consecutive home Serie A matches, netting a total of 92 goals. Inter last failed to score in the league on 29 May 2005 when they were held by Reggina on the last day of the 2004/05 season.

Bellucci, Caracciolo, Montella: 21 goals against Inter

Between them, Sampdoria strikers Bellucci, Caracciolo, Montella have scored 21 goals in matches against Inter. Bellucci, scorer of 136 goals during his professional career so far, has bagged 5 against Inter. Four of Caracciolo's 46 goals have come in matches against the Nerazzurri. Montella, one of the most prolific Italian strikers still in activity with 216 goals to his name, has netted 12 times against Inter and 11 times against Toldo.

From San Siro to San Siro: 200 appearances for Bellucci

If he plays against the Nerazzurri Claudio Bellucci will celebrate a milestone 200 appearances in Italy's Serie A. The Blucerchiati striker, who besides the Genoa outfit has also played top-flight football for Napoli and Bologna, made his Serie A debut in AC Milan 1-0 Sampdoria on 13 March 1994.

Volpi set for 200th Samp appearance

Samp captain Sergio Volpi is poised to make his 200th appearance for the club. He made his Blucerchiati debut in Sampdoria's 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Siena on 18 August 2002. Volpi has worn Sampdoria colours 133 times in the Serie A, 35 in the Serie B, 20 in the Coppa Italia and 11 in European competitions. He has scored 22 goals.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(42) draws(16) defeats(8)

MILAN - Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his third brace of the season and Luis Figo added the other goal as Inter outclassed Sampdoria at the Giuseppe Meazza.

The 3-0 victory puts the Nerazzurri level on points with Roma, held 2-2 in Florence, ahead of Saturday's top-of-the-table showdown in the capital.

The day's heavy rainfall in Milan made for a slippery pitch and both sides made a cautious start to the game.

Inter broke the deadlock on 23 minutes when Ibrahimovic collected in the Samp third and made a darting run on goal before firing low past Mirante from the edge of the box.

The Genoa outfit failed to rally and it was Mancini's team who went close to doubling their lead before the break.

Mirante made a smothering save to deny Crespo a close-range chance and Cesar could have done better with his angled shot from the left, firing wide after meeting Dacourt's deft through ball.

Ibrahimovic's second goal four minutes after the break was nothing short of sublime. The Swedish ace outwitted three opponents with a dazzling piece of skill, creating space to drill home a left-footed shot from inside the area.

Luis Figo made sure of victory with his first goal in black and blue since his penalty against Torino on the final day of last season.

The Portuguese veteran collected a Crespo pass and entered the box before crashing his right-foot shot past Mirante.

With the points in the bag Mancini had room to experiment. The Inter coach introduced Adriano in place of Ibrahimovic, handed Portuguese youngster Pelé his competitive debut, and brought on Suazo in the closing stages.

The Nerazzurri created plenty of chances for a fourth goal, with Suazo, Cambiasso and Maxwell all firing wide from inviting positions and Pelé having a shot saved by Mirante.

Inter 3-0 Sampdoria (HT: 1-0)

Scorers: Ibrahimovic 23, 49, Figo 58.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 4 Zanetti, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 6 Maxwell; 7 Figo (29 Suazo 83), 15 Dacourt, 19 Cambiasso, 31 Cesar; 18 Crespo (30 Pelé 75), 8 Ibrahimovic (10 Adriano 63).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 5 Stankovic, 9 Cruz, 16 Burdisso.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Sampdoria: 83 Mirante; 16 Campagnano, 14 Sala, 6 Lucchini; 77 Zenoni, 21 Sammarco, 17 Palombo, 19 Franceschini (99 Cassano 54), 3 Ziegler; 11 Bellucci (40 Delvecchio 63), 29 Caracciolo (13 Bonazzoli 71).
Subs not used: 1 Castellazzi, 22 Kalu, 28 Gastaldello, 46 Pieri.
Coach: Walter Mazzarri.

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento (Terni).

Booked: Ibrahimovic 57, Ziegler 70.

starting lineups

Julio Cesar 12 Mirante
Cordoba 2 Ziegler
Zanetti 4 Lucchini
Maxwell 6 Bellucci
Figo 7 Sala
Ibrahimovic 8 Campagnaro
Dacourt 15 Palombo
Crespo 18 Franceschini
Cambiasso 19 Sammarco
Samuel 25 Caracciolo
Cesar 31 Zenoni

substitutes

Toldo 1 Castellazzi
Stankovic 5 Bonazzoli
Cruz 9 Kalu
Adriano 10 Gastaldello
Burdisso 16 Delvecchio
Suazo 29 Pieri
Pelé 30 Cassano