Final score

16 December 2007 20:30

Cagliari
Inter
34' (2nd half) Suazo
12' (2nd half) Cruz
Referee: De Marco / Linesmen: Rossomando, Strocchia / Fourth official: Russo
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Minute Text commentary
46' It's 0-0 at the Sant'Elia after the first half.
45' 1 minute of added time.
43' Suazo overhits his through ball for Cruz.
42' Inter win a right-wing free kick. Chivu's inswinging cross is cleared by the Rossoblu.
41' Cagliari shotstopper Marruocco is quick out to grasp the ball and deny Cruz a chance from Chivu's floated pass.
38' Conti delivers a dangerous low cross from the right. Suazo wins the ball at the far post and concedes a corner.
36' At the other end Fini's curling free kick from the left channel is gathered by Julio Cesar.
35' Cristian Chivu collects a short pass from Zanetti and smacks the crossbar with an extraordinary shot from 35 yards.
30' Another Inter attack involving Maicon, Suazo and Crespo again. Agostini intercepts in the box and clears.
28' Great move by the Nerazzurri. Maicon storms down the right, muscles his way into the box and serves Suazo who passes to the unmarked Crespo. Tha Argentine's low shot is wide.
28' Cagliari's Parola is yellow carded for foul play.
24' Cambiasso plays over the Sardinian defence to Crespo, who is flagged offside as he scythes over the bar.
22' Cagliari win a free kick in a dangerous position after a Samuel foul on Matri. Conti's curling shot is over the bar.
14' Another chance for the Rossoblu. Acquafresca's sliding effort from Fini's left-wing centre is saved by Julio Cesar.
9' Suazo collects a deft pass from Cruz and drills a low shot wide of the right post.
7' Cagliari go close through Conti, whose venomous low strike from 20 yards flashes wide of the left post.
5' Cambiasso combines with Suazo and threads through for Crespo, but his pass is too long for the Argentine striker.
1' Welcome to the Stadio Sant'Elia in Cagliari for tonight's Serie A clash. Three more points will see us move seven clear of Roma, who were held at Torino.
1' Andrea De Marco blows his whistle, and the Rossoblu kick off.
1' Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 26 Chivu, 19 Cambiasso; 9 Cruz, 18 Crespo, 29 Suazo.
1' Cagliari: 16 Marruocco; 14 Pisano, 6 Lopez, 20 Bianco, 31 Agostini; 29 Ferri, 5 Conti, 18 Parola, 23 Fini; 9 Acquafresca, 32 Matri.
Minute Text commentary
48' Full time. Inter beat Cagliari 2-0 and move 7 points clear of Roma. See you on Wednesday for the Tim Cup trip to Reggio Calabria.
46' Mancini brings off Suazo, and hands Mario Balotelli his first-team debut.
45' 3 minutes of added time.
41' Cagliari replace Matri with Mancosu.
37' Cesar makes a solo run down the middle, gets to the edge of the area and tests Marruocco with a low shot.
36' Inter bring on Pelé for Maxwell.
34' GOOOAAAAALLL!!! David Suazo prods over the line from two yards out after Marruocco fails to hold Cordoba's header.
33' Inter close to a second. Cruz' close-range header from Cesar's left-wing centre is hooked off the line by Bianco.
31' Cagliari make their second substitution. Budel on, Fini off.
30' Conti is booked for a lunging foul on Chivu.
25' Cagliari make a tactical switch. Larrrievy comes on for Pisano.
23' Suazo lights up a dreary evening with a spectacular shot on the turn. Marruocco produces a reflex save and then denies Cruz after the flag goes up for offside.
16' Parola's 25-yard volley is wide of Julio Cesar's right-hand post.
13' Inter bring on Cesar for Crespo, and switch from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2.
12' That was Julio's 11th of the season (9 in Serie A, 2 in UCL).
12' GOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!! JULIO CRUZ!!!! El Jardinero receives from Suazo, drifts across the face of the area and beats Marruocco with a low shot into the bottom left corner.
10' Another long-range shot from Chivu. Marruocco fails to hold but Suazo bundles wide the loose ball.
8' Marruocco blocks Chivu's 25-yard shot.
8' Parola scrambles clear after Cambiasso's wayward overhead kick in the box.
7' Conti volleys over Ferri's pass into the Inter area.
3' Cruz blazes high and wide from 30 yards.
1' Inter kick off the second half.
Zanetti
7.38
7.38
Cordoba
7.49
7.49
Crespo
6.46
6.46
Cruz
8.62
8.62
Cambiasso
7.63
7.63
Julio Cesar
7.3
7.3
Samuel
7.58
7.58
Cesar
6.87
6.87
Maicon
7.71
7.71
Maxwell
6.9
6.9
Suazo
7.67
7.67
Chivu
8.16
8.16
Pelé
6.89
6.89
Balotelli
7.56
7.56
Average rating 7.44
1 shots on target 8
6 shots off target 7
16 fouls committed 9
2 corners 2
2 offsides 4
22:12 ball possession 26:54
Sonetti v Mancini

The two coaches meet for the fifth time. In the previous four encounters, Mancini has won three games and there has been one draw. The current Inter coach's teams have always scored against Sonetti's sides, for a total of eight goals.

Details:
2003/04 Serie A Ancona-Lazio 0-1 ----
2005/06 Serie A Cagliari-Inter 2-2 2-3
2006/07 Serie A Ascoli-Inter 1-2 ----

Sonetti v Inter

Veteran coach Nedo Sonetti has faced Inter on 13 previous occasions. He has won 3 matches, drawn 3 and lost 7. Sonetti has not won away to the Nerazzurri since 10 May 1987 when his Atalanta team beat Inter 1-0 in a Serie A fixture at San Siro (Ferri own goal on 36'). His teams have always scored at home to Inter, netting a total of eight goals.

Details:
1984/85 Serie A Atalanta-Inter 1-1 0-1
1985/86 Serie A Atalanta-Inter 2-1 3-1
1986/87 Serie A Atalanta-Inter 1-0 0-1
1988/89 Coppa Italia Udinese-Inter 1-1 ----
1994/95 Serie A Torino-Inter ---- 1-2
1995/96 Serie A Torino-Inter ---- 0-4
2003/04 Serie A Ancona-Inter ---- 0-3
2005/06 Serie A Cagliari-Inter 2-2 2-3
2006/07 Serie A Ascoli-Inter 1-2 ----

Mancini v Cagliari

Roberto Mancini has faced Cagliari eight times in his coaching career and is unbeaten with four home wins and four away draws. His teams have scored in all eight games, totalling 16 goals.

Details:

2004/05 Serie A Inter-Cagliari 2-0 3-3
2004/05 Coppa Italia Inter-Cagliari 3-1 1-1
2005/06 Serie A Inter-Cagliari 3-2 2-2
2006/07 serie A Inter-Cagliari 1-0 1-1

Inter's long unbeaten run away from home in Serie A

Inter's last away defeat in the Italian top flight was over year and a half ago - on 30 April 2006 when they lost 1-0 at Empoli. The Nerazzurri have since collected 19 wins and 8 draws on their Serie A travels.

Cambiasso poised for 100th Serie A match

If he plays against Cagliari, Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso will make his 100th appearance in the Serie A. The Argentine made his Italian championship debut in Chievo 2-2 Inter on 11 September 2004.

Nerazzurri tight at the back

Inter haven't conceded since the 39th minute of the 2-1 home win over Atalanta on 24 November. A total of 501 competitive minutes have elapsed since Floccari's goal in that match (remaining 51 minutes of Inter 2-1 Atalanta plus 3-0 home win over Fenerbahçe, 2-0 away win at Fiorentina, 3-0 home victory against Lazio, 4-0 win at home to Torino and 1-0 away win over PSV Eindhoven).

Inter's magic 2007

No Serie A side has collected more points or scored more goals than Inter in 2007. The Nerazzurri have scored 75 goals and earned 86 points thanks to 26 victories, 8 draws and just 1 defeat (the 1-3 home loss to Roma in April).

Sonetti's black December

With a points per match average of just 1.04 (18 wins, 46 draws and 32 defeats from 96 games), December is Nedo Sonetti's worst month of the footballing calendar.

Budel set for 100th Serie A match

If he plays against Inter, Cagliari's Alessandro Budel will complete a century of appearances in Italy's Serie A. Budel, who has played for Lecce, Parma and Cagliari in the top flight, made his Serie A debut in Lazio 4-1 Lecce on 31 August 2003.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(18) draws(18) defeats(7)
28 August 2023 0-2 21' Dumfries, 30' Martínez, fixture
15 May 2022 1-3 25' Darmian, 53' Martínez, 56' Lykogiannis, 86' Martínez, fixture
13 December 2020 1-3 42' Sottil, 79' Barella, 86' D'Ambrosio, 96' Lukaku, fixture
1 September 2019 1-2 27' Martínez, 53' Joao Pedro, 75' Lukaku(Rig), fixture
1 March 2019 2-1 30' Ceppitelli, 38' Martínez, 43' Pavoletti, fixture
25 November 2017 1-3 29' Icardi, 55' Brozovic, 71' Pavoletti, 83' Icardi, fixture
5 March 2017 1-5 34' Perisic, 39' Banega, 42' Borriello, 48' Perisic, 68' Icardi(Rig), 90' Gagliardini, fixture
23 February 2015 1-2 47' Kovacic, 68' Icardi, 74' Carrizo(Aut), fixture
29 September 2013 1-1 75' Icardi, 83' Nainggolan fixture
14 April 2013 2-0 64' Pinilla(Rig), 77' Pinilla fixture
7 April 2012 2-2 5' Astori, 6' Milito, 61' Pinilla, 64' Cambiasso fixture
17 October 2010 0-1 39' Eto'o fixture
20 September 2009 1-2 16' Jeda (Rig), 52' Milito, 57' Milito fixture
24 May 2009 2-1 8' Ibrahimovic, 34' Cossu, 71' Acquafresca fixture
16 December 2007 0-2 58' Cruz, 80' Suazo fixture
1 October 2006 1-1 17' Colucci, 38' Grosso fixture
14 May 2006 2-2 8' Capone, 11' Cruz, 33' Suazo, 37' Solari fixture
14 November 2004 3-3 6' Zola (R), 33' Langella, 35' Stankovic, 62' Esposito, 77' Martins, 90' Martins fixture
14 May 2000 0-2 75' Baggio, 85' Zamorano fixture
13 September 1998 2-2 31' Kallon, 41' Muzzi, 77' Ventola, 81' Ventola fixture
19 April 1997 1-2 42' Zamorano, 50' Ince, 80' Tovalieri
28 April 1996 0-0
8 January 1995 1-1 5' Rig. Sosa, 46' Muzzi
12 September 1993 1-0 45' Dely Valdes
7 February 1993 0-0
20 October 1991 1-1 24' Baggio D., 29' Fonseca
9 September 1990 0-3 58', 65' e 75' Klinsmann
26 September 1982 0-2 44' Altobelli, 60' Aut. Loi
4 October 1981 1-1 49' Piras, 64' Beccalossi
15 February 1981 1-1 15' Aut. Tavola, 56' Virdis
2 December 1979 1-1 63' Selvaggi, 76' Altobelli
22 February 1976 0-0
9 February 1975 0-1 87' Mariani
12 May 1974 1-1 27' Bedin, 69' Riva
18 February 1973 2-3 21' Brugnera, 39' Oriali, 73' Boninsegna, 78' Magistrelli, 88' Rig. Riva
1 April 1972 2-1 25' Rig. Boninsegna, 31' Riva, 75' Brugnera
28 February 1971 0-0
19 October 1969 1-1 7' Suarez, 50' Da Carvalho
23 February 1969 1-0 29' Riva
19 May 1968 3-2 22' Cappellini, 29' Cappellini, 46' Boninsegna, 59' Greatti, 79' Riva
30 April 1967 1-1 46' Domenghini, 57' Nenè
14 November 1965 0-1 69' Facchetti
25 October 1964 0-2 67' Mazzola, 86' Jair

CAGLIARI - Julio Cruz scored for the fourth match in a row and David Suazo scored his fourth in black and blue to give Inter their fifth consecutive league win (eighth in all competitions).

Sunday's victory over Cagliari at the Sant'Elia moves the defending Serie A champions seven points clear of second-placed Roma who were held at Torino.

Mancini started with Suazo, Crespo and Cruz in attack for the second game running, opting for a three-man midfield of Zanetti, Chivu and Cambiasso.

Maicon and Samuel were recalled in defence after being rested in the midweek Champions League win at PSV Eindhoven.

Cagliari made a strong start and produced the first chance of the game on 7 minutes, Conti narrowly missing the target with a venomous angled shot.

Suazo, playing against his ex-team for the first time since the summer switch to Milan, drilled wide in the 9th minute.

The Rossoblu had a second chance in the 14th, Julio Cesar saving Acquafresca's close-range effort from Fini's cross.

In a first half of misses, Crespo fired wide after a storming run by Maicon, and Chivu smacked the bar with a superb long-range shot.

The Nerazzurri gradually imposed their game after the restart, and should have taken the lead ten minutes in when Suazo bundled wide after Marruocco failed to hold Chivu's strike from distance.

Inter's tactical superiority paid dividends two minutes later when Cruz received from Suazo, drifted across the face of the area and beat Marruocco with a low shot into the bottom left corner.

Mancini made an immediate switch after the goal, bringing on Cesar for Crespo, and changing from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2.

Suazo doubled the lead with a poacher's effort eleven minutes from time, prodding home from two yards out after Marruocco failed to hold Cordoba's header.

Hungry for a third, Inter continued to attack Sonetti's side. The best chance fell to Cesar who tested Marruocco with a low shot from 20 yards after a solo run down the middle.

In added time Mancini brought off Suazo and handed Primavera youngster Mario Balotelli his first-team debut.

Cagliari 0-2 Inter (HT: 0-0)

Scorers: Cruz 57, Suazo 79.

Cagliari: 16 Marruocco; 14 Pisano (19 Larrievy 70), 6 Lopez, 20 Bianco, 31 Agostini; 29 Ferri, 5 Conti, 18 Parola, 23 Fini (4 Budel 76); 9 Acquafresca, 32 Matri (26 Mancosu 86).
Subs not used: 12 Koprivec, 3 Del Grosso, 21 Canini, 22 Bizzera.
Coach: Nedo Sonetti.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 6 Maxwell (30 Pelé 81); 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 26 Chivu; 9 Cruz, 18 Crespo (31 Cesar 58), 29 Suazo (45 Balotelli 90+1).
Subs not used: 22 Orlandoni, 16 Burdisso, 21 Solari, 23 Materazzi.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Referee: De Marco (Chiavari).

Booked: Parola 28, Conti 75.

starting lineups

Marruocco 12 Julio Cesar
Pisano 13 Maicon
Lopez 2 Cordoba
Bianco 25 Samuel
Agostini 6 Maxwell
Ferri 4 Zanetti
Conti 19 Cambiasso
Parola 26 Chivu
Fini 9 Cruz
Acquafresca 18 Crespo
Matri 29 Suazo

substitutes

Koprivec 22 Orlandoni
Del Grosso 16 Burdisso
Budel 21 Solari
Larrievy 23 Materazzi
Canini 30 Pelé
Bizzera 31 Cesar
Mancosu 45 Balotelli