Final score

10 February 2008 20:30

Catania
Inter
22' (2nd half) Suazo
20' (2nd half) Cambiasso
Referee: Stefano Farina / Linesmen: Cariolato, Pugiotto / Fourth official: Russo
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
45' Half time. Catania 0-0 Inter.
45' 2 minutes of added time to play.
44' Polito beats Burdisso to Chivu's right-wing free kick and pushes behind for a corner.
43' Vargas is booked for protesting with Farina after committing a foul on Javier Zanetti.
41' Mascara's volley shot from a tight angle is way off target.
37' Colucci's free kick is over Julio Cesar's bar.
36' Mascara takes on Burdisso with a nice piece of skill and is goalbound. Ivan Cordoba storms in and fouls the Catania striker. The Colombian is yellow-carded.
35' Inter survive a scare. Izco's fierce right-foot shot from 25 yards dips dangerously but fortunately for us it's just over the angle between post and bar.
27' Inter make an early substitution. Luis Jimenez, who has suffered a thigh strain, is replaced by Pelé.
21' Cruz combines with Ibrahimovic but is surrounded by three opponents and dispossessed as soon as he collects the return pass.
20' Ibrahimovic plays in Burdisso with a deft touch but the Argentine is intercepted in the box by Edusei.
18' Sardo's shot from outside the Inter area takes a deflection. The resulting corner is cleared as far as Vargas. The Peruvian's first-time shot is wide, with Izco just failing to get a touch.
14' Maxwell's right-wing cross spins off Sardo. Chivu's cross from the resulting corner is cleared by Vargas.
12' Jimenez picks out Cruz at the back post with a high cross. The Argentine's header back to Cambiasso is intercepted by the Sicilian defence.
8' Vargas latches on to a floated ball wide and hooks first time for Spinesi. Julio Cesar is quick out to end a flowing Catania move.
5' Ibrahimovic commits a foul as he climbs to meet Chivu's dangerous inswinging free kick.
4' Jimenez goes on a marauding run down the right and wins a free kick after a foul by Vargas.
1' Welcome to the Stadio Massimino in Catania for tonight's Serie A Week 22 clash.
1' Inter kick off. FORZA RAGAZZI!!!!!
1' Inter (4-3-1-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 16 Burdisso, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 26 Chivu; 11 Jimenez; 8 Ibrahimovic, 9 Cruz.
1' Catania (4-3-3): 16 Polito; 2 Sardo, 21 Silvestri, 6 Stovini, 7 Vargas; 17 Baiocco, 8 Edusei, 13 Izco; 9 Colucci, 24 Spinesi, 10 Mascara.
1' League leaders Inter go into tonight's game with a five-point lead over Roma, who beat Reggina 2-0 last night.
Minute Text commentary
48' Full time. Inter beat Catania 2-0 thanks to two quick goals from Cambiasso and Suazo.
46' Silvestri is booked for a foul on Suazo.
45' 3 minutes of added time.
44' Julio Cruz runs down the right and crashes a diagonal shot on to the outside of the right post.
43' Suazo glides pasts two and shoots on target. Easy save for Polito.
39' Pelé's low free kick from 30 yards hits the Catania wall.
38' Catania make their final substitution. Mascara (injured) is replaced by Pià.
37' Martinez controls a loose ball with his chest and unleashes a shot from just inside the box. Burdisso blocks with an outstretched leg.
33' Mascara volleys way over from 25 yards.
29' Catania replace the injured Sardo with Alvarez.
29' Javier Zanetti pokes wide of the far post from an acute angle after muscling his way past Vargas.
27' Inter make their final switch. Off comes Zlatan Ibrahimovic. On comes Nuno Maniche.
24' Pelé is booked for a foul on Catania captain Baiocco.
22' GOAL!!!!! David Suazo adds a quick second, latching on to Ibra's short pass from Julio Cesar's goal kick before rounding Polito and slotting into an open goal. CATANIA 0-2 INTER.
22' Catania make their first substitution. Martinez comes on for Colucci.
20' GOAL!!!!!! Maxwell sends in a looping cross from the left. At the back post Javier Zanetti heads into the path of the unmarked Esteban Cambiasso, who slots home from close range. CATANIA 0-1 INTER.
19' Inter hit straight back and Suazo forces a save from Polito with a central shot from the edge of the area.
18' Julio Cesar gets down to block Vargas' low cross from the left as Catania pile on the pressure.
17' Mascara is booked for diving after a tackle in the area by Burdisso.
15' Free kick to Catania on the left flank (35 yards out). Vargas' low ball into the box is cleared by Materazzi.
11' Spinesi is booked for fouling Materazzi during an aerial duel.
10' Inter make a tactical substitution. David Suazo comes on for Cristian Chivu.
9' Materazzi clears Vargas' dangerous low ball in from the left.
6' Free kick to Inter out on the right wing. Chivu's inswinger is punched clear by Polito. Pelé's follow-up from 20 yards is blocked.
5' Cruz plays a one-two with Cambiasso but the striker is beaten to the return ball by Stovini.
1' Catania get the second half under way.
1' Cristian Chivu's right-wing free kick is blocked by the Sicilian defence and swept clear by Mascara.
Zanetti
7.68
7.68
Cordoba
6.51
6.51
Materazzi
6.95
6.95
Cruz
6.56
6.56
Cambiasso
8.3
8.3
Burdisso
6.41
6.41
Julio Cesar
7.32
7.32
Maxwell
6.74
6.74
Ibrahimovic
7.36
7.36
Suazo
8.22
8.22
Jimenez
6.35
6.35
Chivu
6.57
6.57
Pelé
6.74
6.74
Maniche
6.49
6.49
Average rating 7.01
0 shots on target 6
4 shots off target 1
27 fouls committed 23
2 corners 2
5 offsides 2
29:54 ball possession 28:57
Baldini v Mancini

The two coaches meet for the seventh time after 1 draw and 5 Mancini victories. Mancini's teams have netted in every game against sides coached by Baldini (total 14 goals scored).

Details:
2002/03 Serie A Empoli-Lazio 1-2 1-4
2002/03 Coppa Italia Empoli-Lazio 1-2 0-2
2004/05 Serie A Parma-Inter ---- 2-2
2007/08 Serie A Catania-Inter ---- 0-2

Baldini v Inter

Silvio Baldini has faced Inter on 4 previous occasions. He has drawn once and lost three times. Baldini's teams have conceded goals in every game against the Nerazzurri - total 11 goals let in.

Details:
2002/03 Serie A Empoli-Inter 3-4 0-3
2004/05 Serie A Parma-Inter ---- 2-2
2007/08 Serie A Catania-Inter ---- 0-2

Mancini v Catania

Roberto Mancini is unbeaten in competitive games against Catania, with three wins from three games against the Sicilian outfit.

Details:
2006/07 Serie A Inter-Catania 2-1 5-2
2007/08 Serie A Inter-Catania 2-0 ----

No Catania subs on target in 2007/08

Catania are one of two Serie A teams yet to have scored with a substitute this season. The other team is Roma.

Catania & goals conceded in opening 15 minutes

The Sicilians have conceded 6 goals in the first 15-minute periods of matches this season - more than any other team.

Inter's unbeaten runs

Inter 1-3 Roma on 18 April 2007 was the Nerazzurri's last Serie A defeat. Mancini's team have since played 27 top-flight games, winning 21 and drawing 6. The Nerazzurri's last defeat in all competitions was the 1-0 loss at Fenerbahçe on 19 September 2007. Since that date, Inter have played 27 games, winning 22 and drawing 5. Inter have collected 21 victories and 9 draws on their Serie A travels since their last league defeat away from home - a 1-0 reverse at Empoli on 30 April 2006.

Cruz two away from 100th goal

With 98 goals in competitive matches, Julio Ricardo Cruz is just two away from a century of goals for Italian clubs. The Argentine forward, who scored his first Italian goal in Napoli 1-5 Bologna on 22 October 2000, has netted 30 times for the Rossoblu and 68 times for Inter (71 goals in Serie A, 14 in Coppa Italia and 13 in European competitions).

Fair play Inter

Inter are one of two teams with the fewest yellow cards after 21 rounds of the Serie A season - just 36. Siena are the other 'fair play' team.

Chivu set for 100th Serie A appearance

If he plays in Serie A Week 22, Cristian Chivu will complete a century of appearances in Italy's top flight. Chivu, who has played Serie A football for Roma and Inter, made his debut in Roma 5-0 Brescia on 14 September 2003.

Ibrahimovic most decisive player

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the most decisive player after 21 rounds of the 2007/08 Serie A championship. His goals have earned the Nerazzurri 19 points.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(10) draws(2) defeats(5)

CATANIA - Serie A leaders Inter scored twice in the space of two second-half minutes to stun Catania at the Stadio Massimino.

Esteban Cambiasso notched his seventh of the season and David Suazo scored his fifth in black and blue to keep the Nerazzurri eight points clear of Roma.

Both teams produced chances in a tactical first half but neither managed a shot on target, Izco coming closest with a sweetly struck shot that flew just over.

Mancini made a forced substitution before the half hour, bringing on Pelé after Jimenez suffered a thigh strain.

The Inter coach made a second change early in the second half, introducing Suazo in place of Chivu and switching from 4-4-2- to 4-3-3.

The Sicilians pressurised their opponents as Inter adjusted, Vargas creating the most danger down the left.

The game turned in favour of Inter in the 55th minute. Maxwell sent in a looping cross from the left, Zanetti headed into the path of the unmarked Cambiasso, and the unmarked midfielder slotted home from close range.

Suazo added a quick second, latching on to Ibra's short pass from Julio Cesar's goal kick before rounding Polito and slotting into an open goal.

Julio Cruz went closest to a third in the 89th minute, sidefooting on to the outside of the post after a run down the right channel.

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

Scorers: Cambiasso 65 Suazo 67.

Catania (4-3-3): 16 Polito; 2 Sardo (22 Alvarez 74), 21 Silvestri, 6 Stovini, 7 Vargas; 17 Baiocco, 8 Edusei, 13 Izco; 9 Colucci (25 Martinez 67), 24 Spinesi, 10 Mascara (11 Pià 83).
Subs not used: 18 Rossi, 5 Silvestre, 19 Tedesco, 27 Biangianti.
Coach: Silvio Baldini.

Inter (4-3-1-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 16 Burdisso, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 26 Chivu (29 Suazo 55); 11 Jimenez (30 Pelé 27); 8 Ibrahimovic (28 Maniche 72), 9 Cruz.
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 24 Rivas, 21 Solari, 18 Crespo.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Referee: Stefano Farina (Novi Ligure).

Booked: Cordoba 36, Vargas 43, Spinesi 56, Mascara 62, Pelé 69, Silvestri 90+1.

starting lineups

Polito 12 Julio Cesar
Sardo 16 Burdisso
Silvestri 2 Cordoba
Stovini 23 Materazzi
Vargas 6 Maxwell
Baiocco 4 Zanetti
Edusei 19 Cambiasso
Izco 26 Chivu
Colucci 11 Jimenez
Spinesi 8 Ibrahimovic
Mascara 9 Cruz

substitutes

Rossi 1 Toldo
Silvestre 24 Rivas
Pià 21 Solari
Tedesco 28 Maniche
Alvarez 30 Pelé
Martinez 18 Crespo
Biagianti 29 Suazo