Final score

10 May 2009 15:00

ChievoVerona
28' (2nd half) Luciano
27' Marcolini
Inter
20' (2nd half) Balotelli
3' Crespo
Referee: De Marco / Linesmen: Comito, Giachero / Fourth official: Bergonzi
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
45' Half time. Chievo 1-1 Inter.
45' Inter launch an attack as Figo and Cambiasso exchange passes in the Chievo third. The ball falls to Crespo whose lofted cross for Balotelli is plucked out of the air by Sorrentino.
43' Crespo one-twos with Cambiasso and gets into a shooting position on the edge of the area but his effort is blocked.
42' At the other end Pellissier finds Bogdani with a hooked cross from the byline. The Albanian's weak shot on the turn is wide.
41' Muntari floats a ball into the Gialloblu box for Balotelli, who bursts behind Frey and fouls Sorrentino in his attempt to reach it.
40' Another yellow card. It goes to Rigoni for an ugly challenge on Balotelli.
39' Mantovani intercepts Figo's dangerous cross into the six-yard box and sweeps to safety.
38' Balotelli sends a near-post bullet header wide after connecting with Figo's right-wing corner.
37' Booking number two of the afternoon in Verona. Morero gets a card for a late tackle on Balotelli.
37' Mario Balotelli's cross-shot from the resulting free kick forces a punched block from Sorrentino.
35' Cambiasso looks for Crespo but overhits his pass and Sorrentino collects.
33' Pellissier's flicked header from the resulting free kick, taken by Marcolini, is wide of the target.
32' End-to-end stuff in Verona as the pace has intensified considerably in these last few minutes. Ivan Cordoba gets a yellow card for a foul on Pellissier.
30' Chievo hit straight back and Pellissier goes close to a second goal with a header from a corner.
29' Zanetti goes down under a challenge from Rigoni on a marauding run down the right and into the box. No penalty given by De Marco.
27' GOAL. Michele Marcolini equalises with an unstoppable rocket shot from 25 yards. CHIEVO 1-1 INTER.
25' Bogdani muscles his way into the box, freeing himself of two opponents before testing JC with an angled shot.
23' Pellissier is flagged for offside as he chests down Marcolini's through ball in the box.
19' Yepes dispossesses Stankovic just outside his own box and plays to Marcolini who sets up a counter-attack. The ball arrives to Luciano on the right flank and the ex-Inter winger shoots on goal. Easy save for Julio Cesar.
18' Another long-range shot from Marcolini. Julio Cesar saves.
16' Chievo attack back and Marcolini unleashes a long-range shot. Cordoba blocks.
16' Mario Balotelli plays low into the box but Chievo make an easy clearance.
15' Inter win a free kick about 30 metres from goal after a bad challenge on Maxwell.
12' Inter hit straight back and Luis Figo goes close to an early second, his shot from inside the area spinning off Frey and hitting the post. Nothing comes from the resulting corner kick.
11' Bentivoglio overhits his pass for Chievo captain Pellissier as the Gialloblu look for openings down the middle.
9' Another corner for the Flying Donkeys. Yepes' diving header is saved by Julio Cesar.
7' Chievo striker Bogdani has a go from distance. The Albanian's shot takes a deflection and Chievo win a corner.
5' Luis Figo floats in a cross from the right but Frey beats Crespo to the ball and heads it to safety.
3' GOAL!!!! Sorrentino fails to hold Cambiasso's shot and Crespo is on hand to slot home the loose ball. CHIEVO 0-1 INTER.
2' Bentivoglio blasts his free kick high and wide.
1' OK, here's how it stands. If we beat Chievo in Verona this afternoon and AC Milan lose to Juventus in tonight's late fixture at the Meazza, we will be crowned Italian champions for the fourth consecutive season.
1' An early scare for Inter as Pellissier wins a duel with Samuel and wins his team a free kick in a dangerous position.
1' We're under way in Verona as Chievo kick off. FORZA INTER!!!
1' The travelling fans unfurl a huge Biscione banner as the players make their entrance to the pitch.
1' Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 4 Zanetti, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 6 Maxwell; 5 Stankovic, 19 Cambiasso, 20 Muntari; 7 Figo, 18 Crespo, 45 Balotelli.<br> Subs: 1 Toldo, 9 Cruz, 11 Jimenez, 14 Vieira, 16 Burdisso, 21 Obinna, 26 Chivu.
1' Chievo: 28 Sorrentino; 21 Frey, 2 Morero, 33 Yepes, 4 Mantovani; 10 Luciano, 16 Rigoni, 7 Marcolini; 9 Bentivoglio, 31 Pellissier, 23 Bogdani.<br> Subs: 18 Squizzi, 5 Mandelli, 6 Malagò, 20 Kerlon, 77 Italiano, 79 Esposito, 83 Sardo.
1' Luis Figo, who had a brilliant match against Lazio last Saturday, makes his fourth consecutive start. Full-backs Javier Zanetti and Maxwell will flank central defenders Cordoba and Samuel, with Santon in the stands and Chivu on the bench.
1' José Mourinho has made numerous changes to the team that beat Lazio last weekend. Mario Balotelli and Dejan Stankovic return from suspension, with Hernan Crespo coming in for the disqualified Ibrahimovic up front.
1' There are approximately fifteen thousand Inter fans here at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi for our seventh away match against the Flying Donkeys. On our six previous visits here we have won 3 games, drawn 2 and lost 1.
Minute Text commentary
49' Full time. Chievo hold Inter 2-2 in Verona. The result sees Inter move eight points clear at the top ahead of tonight's match between AC Milan and Juventus. See you next Sunday evening for Inter v Chievo.
49' Chievo win a corner with a minute left to play. Julio Cesar beats Yepes to the cross and saves.
45' Four minutes of added time.
45' Maxwell scythes a high ball into the Chievo box but there's no team-mate on hand.
43' Balotelli's outswinging cross from the resulting free kick is headed clear by the Chievo defence.
43' Malagò is booked for a foul on Zanetti.
40' Yellow card for Julio Cruz after a foul from behind on Malagò. The Argentine is unavailable for next Sunday's visit of Siena.
37' Chievo make their last change. Defender Marco Malagò comes on for striker Erjon Bogdani.
36' Marcolini looks for Bogdani with a long ball upfield but there's no outpacing Ivan Ramiro Cordoba.
35' Figo overfloats his ball into the box for the onrushing Javier Zanetti. Sorrentino catches.
34' Zanetti powers past two opponents and tests Sorrentino with a low right-foot shot.
33' Jimenez commits a foul in the box in his attempt to reach Balotelli's cross from the right wing.
32' Substitution number three for Inter. Luis Jimenez replaces Dejan Stankovic.
31' Chievo bring on Gennaro Sardo for Andrea Mantovani.
28' GOAL. Chievo equalise through Brazilian winger Luciano, who volleys home a low shot from Mantovani's left-wing cross. CHIEVO 2-2 INTER.
28' Chievo boss Di Carlo brings on Mauro Esposito for Simone Bentivoglio.
25' Marcolini's low shot from inside the box spins dangerously off Burdisso but Julio Cesar makes the ball his.
22' Mourinho makes his second substitution. Nicolas Burdisso comes on for Sulley Muntari.
20' GOAL!!!!! Amazing goal by SuperMario Balotelli. The 18-year-old pounces on a loose ball and volleys in off the crossbar from inside the area. CHIEVO 1-2 INTER.
15' Chievo attack back, with Bentivoglio testing Julio Cesar from 25 yards.
15' Zanetti feeds Figo down the right and the Portuguese whips in a cross. Morero makes a headed clearance.
14' Balotelli's low effort is blocked and cleared by the Chievo defence.
13' Maxwell is tripped just outside the left angle of the Chievo box. Free kick!
12' Inter make their first change. Julio Cruz replaces goalscorer Hernan Crespo.
11' Figo one-twos with Balotelli on his way into the box but loses control of the ball.
10' Chievo win a free kick on the right wing. Bentivoglio crosses low into the area for Bogdani, who is promptly closed down by Ivan Cordoba.
8' And back in the Chievo, half Cambiasso combines neatly with Crespo before feeding Balotelli. The young Italian has two efforts blocked by Frey.
8' Bogdani commits a foul on Maxwell as he races to meet Marcolini's high ball into our box.
7' Back at the other end Cordoba shields the ball well from Luciano and concedes a throw. Moments later the Colombian wins an aerial duel with Pellissier.
6' Yepes beats Crespo to a cross and nods to Marcolini who sweeps clear.
5' Stankovic plays in Maxwell who delivers a fast cross from the left. Frey blocks and clears.
4' Crespo gets into the box from the left and sends in a low cross for Figo but Sorrentino intercepts.
4' Inter storm forward and Balotelli sends a curling shot several yards wide of Sorrentino's left-hand post.
3' Marcolini's cross from the left is headed into the path of Bogdani by Frey. The Chievo striker is dispossessed by Maxwell.
1' Inter kick off the second half. FORZA RAGAZZI!!!
Zanetti
7.24
7.24
Cordoba
6
6
Crespo
7.13
7.13
Cruz
4.69
4.69
Stankovic
5.72
5.72
Cambiasso
6.9
6.9
Burdisso
4.46
4.46
Julio Cesar
6.04
6.04
Samuel
6.01
6.01
Figo
7.02
7.02
Maxwell
4.6
4.6
Jimenez
4.59
4.59
Balotelli
7.96
7.96
Muntari
6
6
Average rating 6.02
3 shots on target 4
1 shots off target 2
25 fouls committed 23
7 corners 3
2 offsides 1
00 ball possession 00
Di Carlo v Mourinho

The reverse fixture between Chievo and Inter last December is the only previous encounter between the two coaches.

Details:
2008/09 Serie A ChievoVerona-Inter ---- 2-4

Di Carlo v Inter

Current Chievo coach Di Carlo has lost both of his two previous meetings with Inter. Both games were away matches.

Details:
2007/08 Serie A Parma-Inter ---- 2-3
2008/09 Serie A ChievoVerona-Inter ---- 2-4

Mourinho v Chievo

Inter's home victory over Chievo in December 2008 is José Mourinho's only previous meeting with the Verona outfit.

Details:
2008/09 Serie A Inter-ChievoVerona 4-2 ----

Disciplinary info


Chievo
Cautioned: Bogdani, Esposito, Luciano, Morero, Moro, Pellissier.
Disqualified: Langella, Pinzi.

Inter
Cautioned: Cruz, Julio Cesar, Vieira, Zanetti.
Disqualified: Ibrahimovic.

Chievo chasing 300th goal in Serie A

ChievoVerona are one goal away from a club milestone of 300 goals in the Italian top flight. The Verona club's first Serie A goal was scored by Simone Perrotta in the 5th minute of a 2-0 away victory over Fiorentina on 26 August 2001.

Di Carlo's poor May form

According to the statistics, May is Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo's worst month of the footballing calendar. He has won 4, drawn 7 and lost 4 of his fifteen May matches, for a points per game average of just 1.26.

One Chievo clean sheet in last 20 home games

The Flying Donkeys from Verona have failed to concede in only one of their last Serie A home matches (Chievo 1-0 Palermo on 22 March 2009), letting in a total of 26 goals in the other 19 games.

Colucci set for 200th top-flight appearance

If selected to play against Inter at the Bentegodi, Giuseppe Colucci will complete a double century of appearances in Italy's Serie A. The Italian midfielder, who has played top-flight football for Verona, Modena, Brescia, Reggina, Livorno, Catania and Chievo, made his Serie A debut in Verona 1-1 Udinese on 15 October 2000.

Inter always on target away to Chievo

Inter have scored every time they have played away to Chievo, scoring a total of 10 goals in 6 trips to the Stadio Bentegodi.

One Inter defeat in last 15 league games

Inter have lost only once in their last 15 Serie A matches, winning 10 and drawing 4 of the other 14. That sole defeat was a 1-0 loss away to Napoli on 26 April 2009.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(9) draws(4) defeats(4)

VERONA - Michele Marcolini and Luciano cancelled out goals from Hernan Crespo and Mario Balotelli as Chievo held Inter at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.

The 2-2 draw leaves Inter eight points clear at the top of the table ahead of tonight's late game at the Giuseppe Meazza between second- and third-placed teams AC Milan and Juventus. 

Balotelli and Stankovic returned to José Mourinho's starting lineup after missing last weekend's win over Lazio through suspension, while the disqualified Ibrahimovic was replaced up front by Crespo.

The move paid dividends as early as the third minute when El Valdanito slotted home a loose ball after Sorrentino failed to hold Cambiasso's shot.

Luis Figo went close to a quick second when his shot took a deflection off Frey and came back off the post.

A spirited Chievo side fought back strong and got their reward before the half-hour mark, Marcolini finding the target with an unstoppable 25-yard drive.

As the pace intensified, Inter captain Zanetti had a penalty claim turned down before his Flying Donkeys counterpart Pellissier threatened to score a second with a flicked header from Marcolini's inswinging cross.

Inter regrouped well after a period of Gialloblu pressure and ended the half on top with Balotelli forcing a punched block from Sorrentino with a cross-shot from the left.

SuperMario continued where he left off as the Nerazzurri carried their attacking momentum into the second half. After having two quick shots blocked by Chievo defender Frey, Balotelli fired Inter in front with a cracking goal, volleying in off the post after pouncing on a loose ball in the box.

The lead was short-lived as ex-Inter winger Luciano stunned the visiting fans with seventeen minutes remaining. Unmarked on the right side of the Inter box, the Brazilian arrowed Mantovani's left-wing cross beyond Julio Cesar to set up a tense finale, the best chance of which fell to Javier Zanetti who tested Sorrentino with a low shot after powering past two opponents.

Chievo 2-2 Inter (HT: 1-1)

Scorers: Crespo 3, Marcolini 27, Balotelli 65, Luciano 73.

Chievo: 28 Sorrentino; 21 Frey, 2 Morero, 33 Yepes, 4 Mantovani (83 Sardo 76); 10 Luciano, 16 Rigoni, 7 Marcolini; 31 Pellissier, 9 Bentivoglio (79 Esposito 73), 23 Bogdani (6 Malagò 82).
Subs not used: 18 Squizzi, 5 Mandelli, 20 Kerlon, 77 Italiano.
Coach: Domenico Di Carlo.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 4 Zanetti, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 6 Maxwell; 5 Stankovic (11 Jimenez 77), 19 Cambiasso, 20 Muntari; 7 Figo, 18 Crespo (9 Cruz 57), 45 Balotelli (16 Burdisso 67).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 14 Vieira, 21 Obinna, 26 Chivu.
Coach: José Mourinho.

Referee: Andrea De Marco (Chiavari).

Booked: Cordoba 32, Morero 37, Rigoni 40, Cruz 85, Malagò 88.

starting lineups

Sorrentino 12 Julio Cesar
Frey 4 Zanetti
Morero 2 Cordoba
Yepes 25 Samuel
Mantovani 6 Maxwell
Luciano 5 Stankovic
Rigoni 19 Cambiasso
Marcolini 20 Muntari
Bentivoglio 7 Figo
Pellissier 18 Crespo
Bogdani 45 Balotelli

substitutes

Squizzi 1 Toldo
Mandelli 9 Cruz
Malagò 11 Jimenez
Kerlon 14 Vieira
Italiano 16 Burdisso
Esposito 21 Obinna
Sardo 26 Chivu