Final score

18 March 2007 15:00

Ascoli
48' (2nd half) Bonanni (P)
Inter
28' (2nd half) Ibrahimovic
20' (2nd half) Ibrahimovic
Referee: Roberto Rosetti / Linesmen: Cosimo, Giachero / Fourth official: Lops
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
47' It's 0-0 after a scrappy first half at the Stadio Del Duca.
47' A bandaged Figo returns to the pitch.
45' 2 minutes of added time to play.
43' Inter momentarily down to ten men as Figo receives treatment to a head wound.
43' Lombardi booked for fouling Luis Figo.
41' Right-wing corner for Inter. Figo delivers the cross, Cordoba heads wide of the near post.
35' Stankovic's low cross from the right by-line is blasted clear by Corallo.
35' Pesce's floated cross from the left is caught by Julio Cesar.
34' Bjelanovic chests down a ball in the Inter box, before hooking over Julio Cesar's bar. Good chance for the home side.
32' Figo's left-wing corner kick is cleared by the Ascoli defence.
31' Boudianski overhits his pass for the Ascoli front men. Julio Cesar gathers the ball.
29' Inter awarded a free kick on the right for a Boudianski foul on Stankovic. Figo's cross is volleyed over the bar by Maicon.
28' Maicon wastes a good chance to open the scoring, firing wide after combining well with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
26' Burdisso's back post header from a Figo free kick goes behind for an Ascoli goal kick.
25' Nastase's deep cross from the right goes into orbit. Goal kick for the Nerazzurri.
24' Right-wing free kick for the home side. Dejan Stankovic's headed clearance from the cross is as far as Boudianski, whose thundering 25-yard volley is too central. Julio Cesar saves.
22' Zlatan goes close to scoring what would have been a truly incredible goal. He collects a looping pass from Cruz on the left side of area and tries to lob Eleftheroupolos, but his attempt finishes on the roof of the net.
21' Ibra booked for diving in the Ascoli box. The Swedish forward will automatically miss Inter's next game at home to Parma.
19' Foglio booked for tugging Zanetti's shirt.
18' Fini's right-foot shot from the free kick is straight into the arms of Julio Cesar.
18' Maicon booked for his foul on the Ascoli number 11.
18' Cruz races into the box from the left, gets to the by-line and croses. Ascoli clear and launch a counter-atack with ends as Maicon fouls Bjelanovic.
16' Maxwell fires wide a diagonal shot from Cruz' headed pass into the Ascoli box.
16' Nastase's effort from the free kick is saved by Julio Cesar.
15' Zanetti booked for not keeping his distance before the free kick is taken. But Ascoli's Fini had already touched the ball.
14' Ascoli awarded a free kick in a central position 35 yards out for a Figo foul on Paolucci.
13' Cruz chests down Figo's excellent ball over the Ascoli defence but Nastase gets back well and touches it back to his keeper.
10' Corallo booked for a foul from behind on Luis Figo.
10' Pesce combines with Paolucci on the left but nothing comes of the Bianconeri's move as Maicon wins the ball back for Inter.
8' Burdisso picks out Stankovic with a long-range pass down the right. Dejan gets to the by-line and crosses to the back post. Ibrahimovic's headed pass is caught by Eleftheroupolos.
7' Julio Cesar collects a Fini left-wing cross.
6' Samuel shields the ball and lets it roll back to Julio Cesar, denying Bjelanovic a chance on goal.
4' Eleftheroupolos is quick out to make a smothering save and deny Maxwell a scoring chance.
2' Maicon receives a short pass from Figo on the right and crosses. Vastola wins possession and plays to safety.
1' Good afternoon and welcome to the Stadio Del Duca for Ascoli v Inter.
1' Inter kick off. FORZA RAGAZZ!!!!
1' Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 6 Maxwell; 16 Burdisso, 4 Zanetti, 5 Stankovic, 7 Figo; 8 Ibrahimovic, 9 Cruz.
1' Ascoli: 33 Eleftheropoulos; 32 Nastase, 23 Corallo, 3 Lombardi; 22 Vastola, 31 Foglio, 21 Boudianski, 18 Pesce; 8 Fini; 9 Paolucci; 11 Bjelanovic.
Minute Text commentary
49' Full time. Ascoli 1-2 Inter.
48' Bonanni sends Julio Cesar the wrong way. Ascoli 1-2 Inter.
46' The Argentine defender is yellow-carded, and will miss the home match against Parma after the international break.
46' Ascoli awarded a penalty for a Samuel foul on Bjelanovic.
45' 3 minutes of added time.
45' Samuel's header from Figo's inswinging free kick is over the Ascoli bar.
42' Eleftheropoulos moves off his line and makes a smothering save to deny Crespo.
41' Crespo combines with Adri as Inter come looking for a third, but the Brazilian's return pass is intercepted by Corallo.
39' Stankovic cautioned for shooting after Rosetti had blown his whistle.
38' Boudianski rifles on target from 25 yards, forcing Julio Cesar into a tipped save.
36' Boudianski volleys on target after a headed clearance by Solari. Julio Cesar makes a good save.
35' Stankovic's volley from Figo's corner is blocked and cleared by the Ascoli defence.
34' Adriano's fierce left-wing centre is blocked by Corallo. Corner for Inter.
34' Eleftheropoulos is out quick to deny Crespo a chance on goal.
32' Ascoli substitution: Pesce replaced by Bonanni.
31' Ibrahimovic makes way for Santiago Solari.
28' GOOOAAAALLL!!!! Ibrahimovic slots under Eleftheropoulos after collecting an Adriano through pass to give Inter a 2-0 lead.
28' Pesce takes the ball past Burdisso before blasting high and wide from 25 yards.
27' Crespo receives in space on the left but can't find a way past Ascoli sub Melara.
24' Crespo rises to head wide Maicon's right-wing centre.
24' Crespo's shot on the turn from Ibrahimovic's headed pass is saved by Eleftheropoulos.
23' Ascoli replace Vastola with Perruli.
23' Nastase yellow-carded for fouling Stankovic.
20' GOOOOAAAALLL!!!!! Zlatan Ibrahimovic volleys home Adriano's inswinging cross from the right. What a ball wide to the Brazilian by Dejan Stankovic.
20' Hernan Crespo comes on for Maxwell. Inter will now play with 4-3-3.
19' Free kick to Ascoli on the right. Fini's dangerous cross flashes across the face of the six-yard box.
15' Ascoli bring on Melara for Paolucci.
14' Corallo hooks clear Ibrahimovic's deflected header.
12' Adriano close with a venomous left-foot drive that goes inches wide of the left post.
11' Figo drifts across the face of the Ascoli area and crashes his left-foot finish wide of the left post.
9' Figo gets to the right by-line and has his cross blocked. The Portuguese winger takes the resultant corner, Lombardi makes a headed clearance.
7' Inter bring on Adriano for Julio Cruz.
6' Fini's cross from the free kick is blocked by the Nerazzurri defence and cleared by Figo.
6' Samuel shoves Paolucci off the ball on the right wing. Ascoli awarded a free kick.
4' Maxwell has a left-foot volley from 20 yards deflected out for a left-wing corner. Figo takes, Ascoli clear.
4' Burdisso's header from Figo's neat flicked pass is blocked and cleared. Inter remain in the Ascoli third and win a corner after Maicon's right-wing cross is blocked.
3' Corallo beats Cruz to a Figo right-wing centre and makes a clearance.
2' Bjelanovic sends a diving header well wide from Pesce's cross.
1' Ascoli kick off the second half.
1' Ascoli win a right-wing corner. Nothing comes of it as Pesce plays short and crosses out of play after receiving a return pass.
Zanetti
7.34
7.34
Cordoba
6.95
6.95
Adriano
8.51
8.51
Crespo
6.97
6.97
Cruz
6.69
6.69
Stankovic
7.17
7.17
Burdisso
6.93
6.93
Solari
6.68
6.68
Julio Cesar
6.97
6.97
Samuel
6.48
6.48
Figo
8.19
8.19
Maicon
7.24
7.24
Maxwell
6.94
6.94
Ibrahimovic
9.23
9.23
Average rating 7.31
7 shots on target 5
3 shots off target 6
18 fouls committed 16
3 corners 7
2 offsides 3
24:58 ball possession 40:48
Ascoli v Inter

Ascoli and Inter have met in competitive matches on 17 occasions. There have been 5 Bianconeri victories (last win: 2-1 in 1989/90 Coppa Italia), 6 draws (last stalemate: 0-0 in 1988/89 Coppa Italia) and 6 Inter wins (last victory: 2-1 in 2005/06 Serie A).

Sonetti v Mancini

Roberto Mancini is unbeaten in matches against his Ascoli counterpart Nedo Sonetti, with a draw and 2 wins from 3 games.

Ascoli: five-match unbeaten run

Ascoli are unbeaten in five league matches, with 1 victory (1-0 at Siena) and 4 draws (2-2 at home to Udinese, 0-0 at Livorno, 0-0 at home to Parma and 1-1 at home to Roma).

Few Ascoli players on target

Just six Ascoli players have scored in the Serie A championship this season – fewer than any other team. They are: Bjelanovic, Delvecchio, Paolucci, Pecorari, Perrulli and Soncin.

Ascoli's end-of-half fragility

Ascoli are particularly vulnerable at the end of both halves of matches, having let in 19 out 39 goals in these periods of games 48.7% of the total). The Bianconeri have conceded 7 goals from 31'-45', and 12 from 76'-90'.

Inter, Adriano and goals against Eleftheropoulos

Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos has let in 18 goals since arriving in Italy. Adriano has scored three of Inter's five goals against the Greek keeper.

Inter one away from 1200th victory

A win at the Del Duca on Sunday will see Inter notch their 1200th victory since the Serie A championship became a one-division affair in 1929/30. The first of their 1199 top-tier victories was Livorno 1-2 Inter on 6 October 1929. On that occasion Rivolta (31) and Meazza (60) replied to Palandri (6).

Inter: new record of Serie A away wins

Inter have set a new club record of 12 Serie A away victories this season, bettering the previous record of 11 wins set in 1963/64 and 1988/89.

Inter unbeaten in 35 games

Inter are unbeaten in 35 competitive matches, with 28 victories (including 11 wins in a row - 7 wins in Serie A, 2 in Coppa Italia & 2 in Champions League from 25 October 2006 to 2 December 2006 - a club record under the administration of Moratti) and 7 draws since their last defeat, a 2-0 home loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on 27 September 2006.

Inter without defeat in 19 away matches

Inter's last away defeat was the 1-0 Champions League loss to Sporting Lisbon on 12 September 2006. The Nerazzurri have won 15 (including 8 consecutive wins) and drawn 4 since then.

Inter unbeaten in Serie A since April 2006

Inter's last league defeat came on 30 April 2006 when they lost 1-0 at Empoli. Since that date, the Nerazzurri have collected 23 Serie A wins and 6 draws for a new record of 29 top-flight matches without defeat. The previous record of 27 matches was set between 2003/04 and 2004/05.

Inter's 20-game scoring run

The Nerazzurri have netted in each of their last 20 Serie A matches, scoring a total of 47 goals. Inter last failed to score in the league on 22 October 2006 when they played out a goalless draw with Udinese.

Inter's sprint starts

Inter have scored more early goals this season than any other team taking part in the 2006/07 Serie A championship. The Nerazzurri have scored 10 in the opening fifteen-minute periods of matches. Inter are even more prolific from 61'-75' of matches, with 15 goals scored.

Ibrahimovic one of five top scorers in 2007

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is top of the Serie A scorers list for 2007 along with four other players. The Swedish forward, Cristiano Lucarelli, Tommaso Rocchi, Luca Toni and Francesco Totti have each netted six goals since the turn of the new year.

Cordoba & goals in March

Colombian defender Ivan Ramiro Cordoba has scored ten Italian league goals since joining Inter. Three of them have come in the third calendar month.

Disciplinary situation

Ascoli
Disqualified: -
Cautioned: Bjelanovic, Boudianski, Cudini, Lukovic, Melara, Minieri, Paolucci, Pecorari, Pesce, Vastola.

Inter
Disqualified: -
Cautioned: Figo, Ibrahimovic, Materazzi, Samuel.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(7) draws(5) defeats(4)
ASCOLI - Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a second-half brace as the Nerazzurri took a step closer to the Serie A title at the Stadio Del Duca.

Inter substitute Adriano set up the Swedish forward for his 14th and 15th goals of the season after a scrappy opening forty-five minutes.

Ascoli reduced the arrears in overtime when Bonanni converted penalty awarded for a Samuel foul on Bjelanovic.

The 2-1 victory sees runaway league leaders Inter move eighteen points clear of nearest rivals Roma, who were held to a goalless draw at Fiorentina.

Julio Cesar made first-half saves from Nastase and Fini, with Brazilian full-backs Maxwell and Maicon missing from inviting positions before Bjelanovic and Boudianski went close for the Bianconeri.

Ibra, whose spectacular lob shot on 22 minutes would have been a candidate for goal of the season had it gone in, handed Inter the lead twenty minutes after the interval.

The Swedish forward volleyed home Adriano's inswinging cross from the right after the Brazilian was beautifully picked out by Dejan Stankovic.

Ibrahimovic added his and Inter's second eight minutes later, slotting under Eleftheropoulos after collecting an Adriano through pass.

Sonetti's side grabbed a late consolation when Bonanni sent Julio Cesar the wrong way from the penalty spot.

ASCOLI 1-2 INTER (HT: 0-0)

Scorers: Ibrahimovic 65, 73, Bonanni (pen) 90+1.

Ascoli: 33 Eleftheropoulos; 32 Nastase, 23 Corallo, 3 Lombardi; 22 Vastola (20 Perrulli 68), 31 Foglio, 21 Boudianski, 18 Pesce (25 Bonanni 77); 8 Fini; 9 Paolucci (79 Melara 60); 11 Bjelanovic.
Subs not used: 19 Boccolini, 5 Minieri, 17 Guberti, 16 Giampà.
Coach: Nedo Sonetti.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 6 Maxwell (18 Crespo 65); 16 Burdisso, 4 Zanetti, 5 Stankovic, 7 Figo; 8 Ibrahimovic (21 Solari 76), 9 Cruz (10 Adriano 52).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 23 Materazzi, 19 Cambiasso, 91 Mariano Gonzalez.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Turin).

Booked: Corallo 10, Zanetti 15, Maicon 18, Foglio 19, Ibrahimovic 21, Lombardi 43, Nastase 68, Stankovic 84, Samuel 90+1.

starting lineups

Eleftheropoulos 12 Julio Cesar
Nastase 13 Maicon
Corallo 2 Cordoba
Lombardi 25 Samuel
Vastola 6 Maxwell
Foglio 16 Burdisso
Boudianski 4 Zanetti
Pesce 5 Stankovic
Fini 8 Ibrahimovic
Paolucci 7 Figo
Bjelanovic 9 Cruz

substitutes

Boccolini 1 Toldo
Melara 23 Materazzi
Minieri 19 Cambiasso
Guberti 21 Solari
Bonanni 91 Gonzalez
Giampà 10 Adriano
Perrulli 18 Crespo