Final score

21 January 2006 20:30

Inter
35' (2nd half) Figo
32' (2nd half) Cordoba
33' Cambiasso
Palermo
Referee: Tiziano Pieri / Linesmen: Pirondini, Ambrosino / Fourth official: Stefanini
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
45' Inter lead Palermo 1-0 at half time.
45' Lupatelli clears a Veron cross as far as Adriano, whose follow-up shot is blocked by Terlizzi.
43' Terlizzi blocks and clears a dangerous cross by Cruz.
43' Di Michele is a yard offside as he begins his run on to a Santana ball down the right.
40' Barone's shot from the edge of the Inter box takes a deflection off Cruz, but Julio Cesar is well positioned and makes the save.
38' Another corner to Palermo as Zanetti blocks another Bonanni cross.
38' Bonanni's cross is blocked by Javier Zanetti and it's another Palermo corner.
37' Figo blocks a Grosso cross from the left and Palermo win a corner.
35' Adriano fails to control Veron's cross into the Palermo area.
34' Free kick to Inter in a central position 35 yards out for a foul on Julio Cruz.
33' That was El Cuchu Cambiasso's fifth Serie A goal this season.
33' Barzagli concedes a right-wing corner kick.
33' GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!! Figo crosses to Cordoba, whose flicked header across the area is headed in off the crossbar by Esteban Cambiasso.
32' Nothing comes of the Palermo free kick and the Nerazzurri hit their opponents on the break. Cruz is tackled on the edge of Lupatelli's area and the ball falls to Figo who tries to lob the Palermo keeper but Barzagli controls with his chest and clears.
30' Caracciolo is fouled by Favalli on the edge of the Nerazzurri box. Free kick to Palermo.
28' Cambiasso has a shot blocked then Adriano mis-kicks as the Nerazzurri put pressure on Del Neri's men. From the left-wing by-line Kily crosses into the area, but Palermo clear to deny Cambiasso a second attempt.
27' Free kick to Inter and yellow card for Zaccardo for a foul on Kily.
26' At the other end Cordoba and Julio Cesar beat Di Michele to the ball and concede a corner.
25' Figo combines with J.Zanetti on the right then crosses into the Palermo area. Luaptelli palms clear but Adriano fails to coordinate a shot and the Palermo defence sweep clear.
24' The Nerazzurri come back at their Sicilian oppnents. Figo receives from Veron then crosses for Cambiasso to poke wide with his knee.
22' Julio Cesar collects after a fast Palermo counter attack involving five Rosaneri players.
20' Inter attack back. Kily Gonzalez has a low shot from 20 yards saved by Lupatelli but Pieri blows for a Cambiasso foul on Terlizzi.
20' Grosso wins the ball off Figo in midfield, makes a diagonal run to the left edge of the Inter area then crosses, but there's no team-mate at the far post and the Nerazzurri win a throw-in.
18' Cordoba beats Caracciolo to a long ball forward, shields from the Palermo striker and wins Inter a defending throw-in.
17' Esteban Cambiasso's low shot from 25 yards is too central. Lupatelli makes an easy save.
17' Grosso's free kick comes off the Nerazzurri wall and Adriano counter-attacks down the right wing.
15' Free kick to Palermo in a central position 30 yards out for a Veron foul on Caracciolo.
15' Figo's high, outswinging cross is headed wide by Samuel.
14' Kily Gonzalez's cross-shot from the left-wing by-line is tipped over by Lupatelli. Corner to Inter from the right-wing corner flag.
12' Figo beats three with some fancy footwork then plays forward to Adriano. The Brazilian serves Cruz, who is intercepted by Barzagli.
11' Javier Zanetti is flagged offside as he runs on to a Figo pass.
9' Palermo win a long-range free kick. Samuel beats Caracciolo to the cross and clears.
9' Figo meets a Veron pass then takes the ball past Grosso but the Azzurri defender wins the ball back and Palermo push forward.
7' From 20 yards out Bonanni pulls his low, left-foot shot wide of the right post.
5' Zaccardo's outswinging cross from the right is cleared by Walter Samuel.
4' Palermo keeper Lupatelli smothers a Figo cross afer an Adriano attack down the right.
2' Julio Cesar comes off his line to collect a Santana cross from the right wing.
1' Welcome to the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan's San Siro district for Inter v Palermo.
1' Adriano is flagged offside as he runs on to a Cruz through ball.
1' Palermo kick off. FORZA INTER!!!
1' Inter line-up (4-4-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 4 J.Zanetti, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 16 Favalli; 7 Figo, 19 Cambiasso, 14 Veron, 18 Kily Gonzalez; 10 Adriano, 9 Cruz
1' Mancini makes one change from Wednesday's starting line-up against Treviso, as Giuseppe Favalli returns from suspension to replace Nicolas Burdisso at left-back.
Minute Text commentary
47' Full time. Inter beat Palermo 3-0 and move to within five points of Juventus, who play Empoli tomorrow.
45' 2 minutes of added time to play.
45' Santiago Solari replaces Luis Figo.
43' Five Palermo players surround Adriano as the Brazilian receives in the area from Favalli.
39' Mancini brings on David Pizarro for Julio Cruz.
36' Inter bring on Nicolas Burdisso for Cristian Kily Gonzalez.
35' GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!!!! Figo's inswinging cross from the free kick goes in at the far post.
34' Free kick to Inter out on the left wing.
32' GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!! Figo's inswinging cross from the left-wing corner flag is headed in by Ivan Ramiro Cordoba via a deflection off Terlizzi.
30' Incredible chance for Inter. Adriano surges past Accardi on the right then cuts back for Figo, who is intercepted. Adriano pounces on the loose ball and sees his diagonal shot saved by Lupatelli from close range.
30' Another chance for Adriano. At the far post the Brazilian heads wide from a Figo cross.
29' Adriano makes a headed clearance from Palermo's free kick.
29' Free kick to Palermo in a central position 35 yards out for a Veron foul on Godeas.
28' Adriano is flagged offside as he meets a Veron through ball in the Palermo area.
27' Lupatelli parries Adriano's left-foot free kick.
27' Free kick to Inter 25 yards out for a Barzagli foul on Adriano.
26' J.Zanetti blocks a Grosso cross from the left and concedes a corner. Veron clears Mutarelli's header off the line and Palermo win another corner.
24' Figo's low cross is cleared as far as Veron, who smashes hit shot over the Palermo crossbar.
24' Palermo sub Accardi handles a Veron cross from the right. Free kick to Inter.
21' Lupatelli clears an Inter corner then makes an incredible save from Kily's insidious left-foot shot from the edge of the box.
20' Palermo replace Bonanni with Accardi.
20' Adriano powers forward and unleashes a terrific left-foot shot from 25 yards that finishes over the bar.
19' Cruz's flicked header from Veron's cross is cleared by Terlizzi.
18' Barone is booked for bringing down Javier Zanetti from behind to interrupt a run down the middle by the Inter captain.
17' Lupatelli parries a Kily Gonzalez shot and concedes a left-wing corner.
16' Palermo bring on Godeas for Caracciolo.
15' Favalli is booked for dissent.
15' Inter attack back. Veron races down the middle then plays to Cruz. El Jardinero plays into the area, Adriano lets it roll on to Veron but the flag goes up for offside.
14' Caracciolo's right-footed effort from the free kick goes the Inter wall and wide of the left post.
13' Free kick to Palermo in a dangerous position on the edge of the Nerazzurri box for a Figo foul from behind on Di Michele.
12' Palermo win another corner as Del Neri's side continue their good start to the second half.
11' Grosso's free kick is headed clear by the Nerazzurri defence but Palermo play the ball back into the box and Figo smashes out for a corner.
10' Cordoba is yellow-carded for a foul on Di Michele. The free kick is about 25 yards out.
9' At the near post Terlizzi beats Figo to Adriano's ball in from the left and clears.
8' Barone's low, right-foot shot from 20 yards rattles Julio Cesar's right-hand post.
7' Another free kick to Palermo, this time for a Figo foul on Caracciolo.
7' Inter attack back. Adriano crosses in the box but Palermo clear.
6' Julio Cesar parries Grosso's well taken free kick by Palermo and concedes a corner.
5' Samuel is booked for dissent.
5' The corner is punched clear by Julio Cesar. Palermo remain in attack and win a free kick for a Samuel foul on Caracciolo during an aerial duel.
4' J.Zanetti beats Caracciolo to a Zaccardo cross and boots over the bar for a Palermo corner.
3' Grosso's cross from the free kick is headed clear by Cambiasso.
3' Free kick to Palermo 25 yards out for a Cordoba foul on Caracciolo.
2' Terlizzi beats Figo to a Veron cut-back as the two Nerazzurri players attack the right channel.
1' Inter kick off the second half.
1' Julio Ceasr comes out of his area to beat Caracciolo to a long ball forward and clears with his feet.
Zanetti
7.48
7.48
Cordoba
8.16
8.16
Adriano
7.25
7.25
Kily Gonzalez
7.52
7.52
Cruz
6.58
6.58
Favalli
6.71
6.71
Veron
7.53
7.53
Cambiasso
8.93
8.93
Burdisso
6.83
6.83
Solari
6.53
6.53
Julio Cesar
7.26
7.26
Pizarro
6.83
6.83
Samuel
7.41
7.41
Figo
8.31
8.31
Average rating 7.38
6 shots on target 2
10 shots off target 8
23 fouls committed 15
5 corners 4
8 offsides 6
26:18 ball possession 20:50
Del Neri v Inter

Gigi Del Neri has won 3, drawn 3 and lost 3 of his 9 matches against Inter.

Details:

2001/02 Serie A ChievoVerona-Inter 2-2 2-1
2002/03 Serie A ChievoVerona-Inter 2-1 1-2
2003/04 Serie A ChievoVerona-Inter 0-2 0-0
2004/05 Serie A Roma-Inter 3-3 0-2
2005/06 Serie A Palermo-Inter 3-2 ----

Mancini v Palermo

Roberto Mancini has collected a win, a draw and a defeat from his three matches against Palermo. Mancini's teams have scored in all three games (total 5 goals).

Details:

2004/05 serie A Inter-Palermo 1-1 2-0
2005/06 serie A Inter-Palermo ---- 2-3

Mancini v Palermo

In matches against Del Neri, Inter coach Roberto Mancini has won 2, drawn 3 and lost 3.

Details:

2001/02 Serie A Fiorentina-ChievoVerona 0-2 ----
2002/03 Serie A Lazio-ChievoVerona 2-3 1-1
2003/04 Serie A Lazio-ChievoVerona 1-0 0-0
2004/05 Serie A Inter-Roma 2-0 3-3
2005/06 Serie A Inter-Palermo ---- 2-3

Palermo: 12 different scorers this term

Like Ascoli, Roma, Lazio and AC Milan, Gigi Del Neri's Palermo have scored with 12 different players in the Serie A 2005/06. The Rosaneri players to have hit the target so far this season are Barzagli, Biava, Bonanni, Brienza, Caracciolo, Corini, Di Michele, Ferri, Gonzalez, Makinwa, Mutarelli, Terlizzi.

Inter on target in 10 consecutive home matches

Inter have scored in each of their 10 home league matches this season, notching a total of 27 goals. The Nerazzurri's last goalless Serie A match at home was on the final day of last season on 29 May 2005 when they drew 0-0 with Reggina.

Inter stretch unbeaten run

Inter's last defeat was the 3-2 loss to Roma on 26 October 2005. Since then the Nerazzurri have collected 11 wins and 5 draws for an unbeaten run of 16 matches.

Inter prolific with subs

Of Inter's 40 Serie A goals in 2005/06, 9 have been scored by substitutes: Cruz (5), Adriano (2), Cambiasso (1) and Pizarro (1). No other team has scored as many goals with subs this season.

Inter chasing 6th consecutive home win

Inter are looking for their sixth Serie A home win in a row after victories over Parma (2-0), Ascoli (1-0), AC Milan (3-2), Empoli (4-1) and Cagliari (3-2). If the Nerazzurri beat Palermo and Chievo they will equal a run of seven consecutive home wins between December 2002 and March 2003.

Barzagli: goals galore in January

Six of defender Andrea Barzagli's ten goals in the various Italian divisions have been scored in matches played in January.

Di Michele & goals against Inter

David Di Michele counts Inter as his second-favourite target, with 6 of his 122 career goals scored in matches against the Nerazzurri: 1 in Inter-Foggia (1997/98 Coppa Italia); 1 in Inter-Salernitana (1998/99 Serie A); 1 in Salernitana-Inter (1998/99 Serie A); 1 in Udinese-Inter (2001/02 Coppa Italia); 1 in Udinese-Inter (2001/02 Serie A); and 1 in Inter-Reggina (2003/04 Coppa Italia). With 7 goals against Lecce the Giallorossi are Di Michele's favourite target.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(20) draws(9) defeats(0)
MILAN - Goals from Cambiasso, Cordoba and Figo gave Inter a hard-earned 3-0 home win against Palermo and put the Nerazzurri within five points of Serie A leaders Juventus, who play Empoli in Week 21 on Sunday.

Inter broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark when Cordoba rose to flick a header from Figo's corner to Cambiasso, who headed in off the crossbar for his fifth Serie A goal this season.

Palermo's best opportunity of a reply in the opening forty-five fell to Barone whose shot from 20 yards took a deflection off Cambiasso, forcing Julio Cesar into a difficult save.

Adriano could have increased Inter's lead on the stroke of half time but had a near-range shot blocked by Terlizzi after Lupatelli failed to hold a Veron cross.

Julio Cesar kept out a Grosso free kick then Barone struck the post with a 20-yard shot as Palermo made an attacking start to the second half.

But the Nerazzurri soaked up the pressure and hit back at the Sicilians, Lupatelli blocking a terrific first-time effort from Kily Gonzalez then saving a diagonal shot by Adriano before the Brazilian headed round a Figo cross.

Ivan Cordoba went from provider to scorer on 77 minutes when he rose to head in a cross by Luis Figo, who three minutes later wrapped up Inter's sixth consecutive home victory in the league with an inswinging free kick from the left that went in at the far post.

INTER 3-0 PALERMO (HT: 1-0)

Scorers: Cambiasso 33, Cordoba 77, Figo 80

INTER: 12 Julio Cesar; 4 J.Zanetti, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 16 Favalli; 7 Figo (21 Solari 90), 19 Cambiasso, 14 Veron, 18 Kily Gonzalez (3 Burdisso 81); 10 Adriano, 9 Cruz (8 Pizarro 86)
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 6 C. Zanetti, 23 Materazzi, 33 Wome
Coach: Roberto Mancini

PALERMO: 13 Lupatelli; 2 Zaccardo, 23 Terlizzi, 43 Barzagli, 11 Grosso; 18 Santana, 8 Barone, 22 Mutarelli, 6 Bonanni (32 Accardi 65); 17 Di Michele, 29 Caracciolo (99 Godeas 61)
Subs not used: 24 Andujar, 21 Biava, 25 Conteh, 77 Rinaudo, 81 Ferri
Coach: Luigi Del Neri

Referee: Tiziano Pieri (Lucca)

Bookings: Zaccardo 27, Samuel 50, Cordoba 55, Favalli 60, Barone 63

starting lineups

Julio Cesar 12 Lupatelli
Zanetti 4 Zaccardo
Cordoba 2 Terlizzi
Samuel 25 Barzagli
Favalli 16 Grosso
Figo 7 Santana
Cambiasso 19 Barone
Veron 14 Mutarelli
Kily Gonzalez 18 Bonanni
Adriano 10 Di Michele
Cruz 9 Caracciolo

substitutes

Toldo 1 Andujar
Burdisso 3 Biava
Zanetti 6 Conteh
Pizarro 8 Accardi
Solari 21 Rinaudo
Materazzi 23 Ferri
Wome 33 Godeas