Bologna haven't beaten Inter in a competitive match - home or away - since 10 February 2002, when they edged a 2-1 victory in a Serie A fixture. Since then the head-to-head record between the two teams is 11 Inter wins and 2 draws.

There has only been one previous head-to-head between the two coaches: Leonardo's AC Milan side coasted to a 4-0 home win against Siena with Malesani as coach in Serie A 2009/10.

This is the third time Leonardo has faced Bologna as a coach, with both previous games coming in Serie A 2009/10: his record is 1 win and 1 draw, with no goals conceded.

Alberto Malesani is facing Inter for the 20th time in his coaching career. To date he has recorded 5 wins, 5 draws and 9 defeats.

Inter won their 18th and most recent Scudetto on 16 May 2010, after beating Siena 0-1. Sitting on the Siena bench that day was the coach of our today's opponents, Alberto Malesani, then in charge of Siena.

Inter have lost just one of their last 58 competitive matches played at the stadio San Siro, on 14 November 2010. The Nerazzurri's record in the other 57 games in that period is 43 wins and 14 draws.

Javier Zanetti has played 518 Serie A games for Inter to date. When he takes to the pitch today he will join Beppe Bergomi on 519 in having played more top-flight appearances in an Inter shirt than any other player.

Inter are one of 3 teams in the Serie A 2010/11 season - along with Cagliari and Palermo - yet to have had a player sent off. The last player to be given their marching orders in a league tie for Inter was Muntari on 12 March, in a game Inter lost 3-1 away to Catania. Since then they have played 27 league games without receiving a red card. The last time Bologna played a game in which an opponent was sent off was on 2 May: Pellegrino, in Atalanta 1-1 Bologna. Since then they have played 21 games, always against 11 men.

Bologna haven't conceded a single goal in an away fixture since 21 November, when they were beaten 4-1 by Napoli. Cavani scored Napoli's fourth that day after 74 minutes. Since then, the remaining 16 minutes of that match plus the games won against Cagliari (0-3 in the Coppa Italia) and Cesena (0-2 in Serie A), the 0-0 draw at Parma and the 0-2 defeat of Bari (both in Serie A), their defence has been water-tight for 376 minutes away from home.

Marco Di Vaio is the most decisive player in Serie A 2010/11: 18 of Bologna's 25 points so far (72%) have been gained thanks to the Roman striker's goals.

MILAN – Inter win again, and make it four consecutive wins since the arrival of Leonardo on the bench: Bologna are defeated 4-1 in the Saturday evening game of Week 20 of the Serie A 2010/11, which marked Javier Zanetti’s very important record, equalling Beppe Bergomi’s. Today, president Massimo Moratti’s first signing reached 519 appearances in the Serie A with the Nerazzurri colours. And even tonight the captain was unstoppable, as he contributed to the Nerazzurri’s win.

First, Eto’o’s assist for Stankovic saw the Dragon tap the ball in for the lead. Then it was Diego Milito’s turn, as he gave the fans what they were calling for, with his left footed effort beating Viviano for the 2-0. After Stankovic and Milito, how could Eto’o not score? And as if by magic, a wonderful back-heel by the Prince served the striker for the 3-0 and his 22nd goal of the season, to which the Cameroonian added just 9 minutes later from a free-kick. Four goals for the Nerazzurri, but Gimenez managed to pull one back.

FIRST HALF – Leonardo stuck with the starting eleven that defeated Catania last weekend. Marco Di Vaio, with eleven goals scored already this season, shouldered the responsibility of a Bologna side that needed to climb back up the table after being docked points. But it was Inter who started the better of the sides, dictating the pace of the game which the Rossoblu had to follow: on 4 an exchange between Cambiasso and Milito led to the first chance for the Nerazzurri, Milito though was stopped and the ball went out for a corner. From the developments of a corner, the Prince headed the ball onto the post after Lucio set him up (5). One minute later Eto’o had his right footed attempt from the edge of the box saved by Viviano. Inter then continued in their assault of Viviano’s goal. On 12 minutes Bologna also had a go as Ramirez shot with his left, but Castellazzi deflected out for a corner. And as the visitors tried to pierce a hole in the Nerazzurri’s defence, Gracis served Ramirez in the box, but he was stopped by Lucio. After 20 minutes Inter took the lead: exploiting a Mudingaiy defensive error, Stankovic intercepted the pass and tapped the ball in for the 1-0. Just 10 minutes later Inter made it two; and it was from the man all the fans were calling for: Diego Milito. From a Thiago Motta vertical ball, the Prince controlled the ball and with his left beat Viviano, the Bologna goalkeeper got a touch on the ball but couldn’t hold onto it and the result became 2-0. On 34 Bologna had their best chance: Di Vaio lost his two markers and went for the target, only a super Castellazzi prevented the goal and deflected out for a corner. The Rossoblu striker tried again 2 minutes later from a free kick and again the Nerazzurri goalkeeper sent his effort out for a corner. After 2 minutes of injury time, Gava sent the teams into the dressing rooms.

SECOND HALF – The second half began with no changes, the first came 5 minutes in, as Gimenez, who would be one of the best of the evening, replaced Mudingayi. And it was the Uruguayan, who received Ramirez’s ball in between the lines and then looked for the goal from inside the box, but under pressure from Maicon he sent his shot over the crossbar. Another free-kick to Bologna 10 minutes in and once again Di Vaio took it, this time he missed the target by just a few inches as the ball went out to Castellazzi’s right. The visitors increased the pressure, and just as Inter were on the back foot, they managed to add a third goal: a great one-two between Eto’o and Milito ended with the Prince’s back-heel serving the Cameroonian, who beat Viviano to score his 22nd goal of the season. On 27 minutes, Leonardo made his first substitution: Mariga on in place of Thiago Motta. There was no stopping Eto’o though, as from a free kick the striker got the ball past the wall and scored the 4-0. Leonardo decided to give him a hero’s exit as he brought him off and sent Pandev on for the final half hour. Bologna managed to pull one back on 32 minutes with Gimenez, who luckily saw the ball fall to him when none of his teammates managed to get a touch. Then the entire crowd of the Giuseppe Meazza rose to their feet to salute captain Zanetti as, on 43 minutes, he made way for Santon. Three minutes of injury time were awarded and then Gava blew for the end of the game: Inter beat Bologna 4-1 and now have 32 points in the table. The chase continues…

INTER v BOLOGNA 4-1
Goal scorers: 20 Stankovic, 30 Milito, 53 and 62 Eto'o, 77 Gimenez.

Inter: 12 Castellazzi, 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 2 Cordoba, 26 Chivu; 4 Zanetti (39 Santon, 86), 19 Cambiasso, 8 Thiago Motta (17 Mariga, 68); 5 Stankovic; 9 Eto'o (27 Pandev, 75), 22 Milito.
Unused subs: 21 Orlandoni, 15 Ranocchia, 23 Materazzi, 88 Biabiany.
Coach: Leonardo.

Bologna: 1 Viviano; 8 Garics, 6 Britos, 13 Portanova, 19 Rubin; 10 Ramirez (24 Buscè, 81) , 15 Perez, 26 Mudingayi (20 Gimenez, 50), 7 Della Rocca; 12 Ekdal (32 Casarini, 63); 9 Di Vaio.
Unused subs: 22 Lupatelli, 16 Esposito, 17 Radovanovic, 21 Cherubin.
Coach: Alberto Malesani.

Referee: Gabriele Gava of Conegliano.
Notes. Attendance: 52.724 Injury time: 2 and 3

starting lineups

substitutes