Final score

13 September 2008 20:30

Inter
3' (2nd half) Terlizzi o.g.
43' Quaresma
Catania
42' Plasmati
Referee: Antonio Damato / Linesmen: Rossomando, D'Agostini / Fourth official: Gervasoni
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
47' Boos for Tedesco ring round the stadium as the players make their way to the tunnel. It's 1-1 at the break, with Quaresma replying to Plasmati's opener and the Nerazzurri down to ten men after Muntari's dismissal.
46' Stovini goes close to scoring an own goal from Maicon's cross.
45' Damati books Tedesco.
45' Two minutes of added time.
45' Tedesco remains on the ground after slap in the face from Muntari. Damato sends off the Ghanaian.
43' WE'RE LEVEL!!!!!!!! Within a minute, Ricardo Quaresma's right-wing trivela takes a deflection off Mascara and goes in at the near post. CATANIA 1-1 INTER.
42' GOAL. Another corner for Catania. Mascara's cross is blocked by Maxwell but Catania keep possession and Mascara feeds Tedesco, who crosses to Plasmati, who heads past a hapless Julio Cesar. INTER 0-1 CATANIA.
41' Maxwell blazes high and wide after powering past three down the left.
41' Corner for Catania. What resembles a rugby scrum on the edge of the area quickly becomes a six-yard box goalmouth scramble as Vieira boots to safety.
40' Javier Zanetti is warming up. That could mean two things: either Maicon will be rested in the second half ahead of Tuesday's Champions League to Athens, or José will make a midfield change. We will see.
36' Actually, it's not that bad. Maicon is back on the pitch.
34' Play interrupted as Maicon requires medical attention after outstretching his right leg to intercept a pass. It doesn't look good.
33' Maxwell crosses from the left. Bizarri saves.
33' Quaresma's other speciality is the rabona.
32' If you didn't know what a trivela is, it's Quaresma's speciality - a fast cross using the outside of his foot.
31' Great chance for the Nerazzurri. Quaresma, back on the left flank, trivelas into the six-yard box. Bizzarri smothers to deny Balotelli and Muntari.
30' Captain Materazzi cuts out a Catania counter and plays shot to Muntari, who sends a long-range pass to the feet of Ibra on the right wing. The Swede's low ball into the box is intercepted by Biagianti.
28' A Nike pitchside ad reads: "Più goal, grazie". We agree.
25' "For me it's a nice thing to do, and when I've finished it I feel cleansed of my sins." Sulley Muntari's comments about Ramadam on Italian television network Mediaset.
25' Bizzarri palms behind a powerful 25-yard shot from Muntari as the Ghanaian international goes close.
22' Free kick to us after a foul on Figo. It's 30 metres from goal. Ibrahimovic's effort comes back off the wall. The ball falls to the feet of Quaresma, who 'trivelas' it into the arms of Bizarri.
21' He's here, there and everywhere. Quaresma drifts to the right flank and combines well with Maicon. The Brazilian sweeps in a cross for Balotelli who is beaten to the ball by Bizarri.
18' Quaresma has dropped to a position behind Ibrahimovic with Balotelli moving wide to the left wing.
15' And another chance for Mourinho's men. This time, Balotelli's powers over his header from Ibra's cross.
14' A chance for Inter as Ibra climbs high at the far post and heads wide after meeting Maicon's right-wing cross.
10' Giuseppe Mascara, the scorer of Catania's winner against Genoa in Week 1, blazes his free kick over the bar.
9' Catania win a free kick just outside our box as Materazzi sends Martinez clattering to the ground.
8' Another cross from Figo. Another save from Bizzarri.
7' Brilliant tipped parry from Bizzarri, who denies Inter a chance from Figo's floated right-wing cross.
5' Ibra holds the ball up well after collecting a Muntari pass but Stovini sticks to him like glue, forcing the Nerazzurri to backtrack.
4' A corner for Inter as Bizzarri gets down at his near post to parry Maxwell's arrowed shot. Ibra's flicked header from Quaresma's corner kick is over the bar.
2' Quaresma's first touch of the ball on his competitive debut for Inter is a cross from the left. The Catania defence comfortably deals with it.
1' Welcome to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for Inter v Catania - José Mourinho's home debut in the Serie A championship.
1' It has started raining after a dry afternoon following this morning's downpour in Milan.
1' Antonio Damato gets the match under way. Catania kick off. FORZA INTER!
1' W 1 Z is the pre-match coreography displayed by the Curva Nord, with a banner reading: 'The Cuvra Nord doesn't forget its heroes. Walter Zenga one of us'.
1' Benches<br>: Inter: 1 Toldo, 2 Cordoba, 4 Zanetti, 9 Cruz, 10 Adriano, 19 Cambiasso, 33 Mancini. <br>Catania: 12 Kosicky, 2 Sardo, 3 Sabato, 9 Paolucci, 10 Dica, 17 Baiocco, 20 Antenucci.
1' Catania (4-3-3): 1 Bizzarri; 21 Silvestri, 23 Terlizzi, 6 Stovini, 4 Silvestre; 27 Biagianti, 8 Ledesma, 19 Tedesco; 25 Martinez, 16 Plasmati, 7 Mascara.
1' Inter (4-4-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 16 Burdisso, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell; 77 Quaresma, 20 Muntari, 14 Vieira, 7 Figo; 8 Ibrahimovic, 45 Balotelli.
1' Zenga, who made 473 black 'n blue appearances during his lengthy playing career, was a team-mate of Mourinho's assistant coach Giuseppe Baresi for ten seasons from 1982/83 to 1991/92).
1' Tonight's opponents Catania are coached by Walter 'Spiderman' Zenga, the legendary ex-Nerazzurri goalkeeper.
Minute Text commentary
48' A roar goes up as Damato blows his whistle. Inter beat Catania 2-1.
48' Paolucci is yellow-carded for a foul on Materazzi.
45' Three minutes of overtime.
44' Silvestri's snapshot from 25 yards is just over Julio Cesar's bar.
40' Brilliant save by Bizzarri. The Catania custodiano expertly blocks Ibrahimovic's hooked shot from Mancini.
38' Maicon is booked for protesting.
38' Inter counter-attack and Ibra squanders a golden chance to make it 3-1. His low shot from Mancini's short pass is blocked by Bizzarri's feet.
37' Under ten minutes to go at the Meazza and Catania continue their frantic search for a leveller as Silvestre dummies Cambiasso and drives in a low cross. Materazzi blocks and clears.
36' A chance for Catania. Mascara floats his free kick into the six-yard box, forcing Burdisso to concede a corner.
35' The ex-Roma player's first contribution to the game is a free kick that takes a deflection, winning us a corner.
33' Mourinho makes his third switch. Mancini comes on for Quaresma.
31' Biagianti's first time effort from Ledesma's pull-back is way way over Julio Cesar's bar and into the Curva Sud.
30' Dica is booked for a foul on Zanetti.
29' Walter Zenga makes his last change. Off comes Tedesco. On comes Antenucci.
28' In loads of space on the right, Silvestre whips in a cross. Marco Materazzi makes a headed clearance.
27' Maicon almost does a repeat of Maradona's famous goal against England. The Brazilian surges past four or five opponents before firing narrowly wide of the far post.
22' Mario is replaced by Esteban Cambiasso, who comes on to a roar from the crowd.
21' Biagianti is yellow-carded for a foul on Mario Balotelli.
19' Zenga's men are trying to make the extra man advantage count and Ledesma gets into a shooting position, firing wide from 25 yards.
17' Catania make a double change: Paolucci for Plasmati and Dica for Martinez.
16' Ledesma is booked for foul play.
15' Corner for the Rossoazzurri. It comes to nothing as Mascara's cross is blocked.
14' Patrick Vieira is shown a yellow card after a foul on Plasmati.
13' Incredible miss by Burdisso. The Argentine heads over from five yards out after meeting Materazzi's headed pass from Balotelli's left-wing corner.
12' Applause for Maxwell, who wins a corner after a mazy run from the left.
7' Ivan Ramiro Cordoba is warming up, but Nicolas is okay to continue.
5' Nicolas Burdisso is flat out on the ground after an accidental boot in the face.
3' GOAL!!!! Terlizzi inadvertently heads Maicon's right-wing cross in off the post, and we're in front at the Meazza. INTER 2-1 CATANIA.
2' Corner for Inter as Maxwell's cross takes a deflection. Quaresma take it and Mario Balotelli tries an overhead kick from Materazzi's header. The Italy Under-21 international is unsuccessful.
1' Inter have a penalty claim turned down as Ibrahimovic's left-wing centre appears to be handled by a Catania player.
1' Quaresma tears down the right and delivers a high cross. Bizarri saves.
1' José Mourinho makes a tactical substitution after the dismissal of Muntari. Mourinho has sacrificed Figo, with Zanetti replacing him.
1' Inter get the second half under way.
Zanetti
7.15
7.15
Materazzi
7.17
7.17
Cambiasso
6.82
6.82
Burdisso
6.78
6.78
Julio Cesar
6.46
6.46
Figo
5.74
5.74
Maicon
8.27
8.27
Maxwell
7.05
7.05
Vieira
6.7
6.7
Ibrahimovic
6.41
6.41
Balotelli
6.35
6.35
Mancini
8.08
8.08
Muntari
5.63
5.63
Quaresma
7.92
7.92
Average rating 6.89
6 shots on target 1
7 shots off target 8
15 fouls committed 26
8 corners 5
0 offsides 2
29:32 ball possession 25:13
Mourinho v Zenga

The two coaches meet in a competitive fixture for the first time.

Mourinho v Catania

Inter boss Mourinho faces Catania for the first time in his coaching career.

Zenga v Inter

A product of Inter's academy, Walter Zenga made 473 appearances for the Nerazzurri's first team between 1982/83 and 1993/94. At Catania since April 2008, the goalkeeper turned coach faces Inter for the first time in his coaching career.

Inter on target in 57 consecutive Serie A home fixtures

The Nerazzurri have scored in each of their last 57 home matches in the league, scoring a total of 130 goals. Inter last failed to score in a Serie A home fixture on the last day of the 2004/05 season when they drew 0-0 with Reggina.

Adriano chasing 100th goal in Italian football

Brazilian forward Adriano has scored 99 goals since moving to Italy in 2001. He has scored 74 in the Serie A, 6 in the Coppa Italia and 19 in European competitions (67 for Inter and 32 for Fiorentina/Parma). Adriano's first 'Italian' goal came in Inter's 2-1 home victory over Venezia on 16 September 2001.

Crespo one away from 100th outing in black and blue

If selected to play against Catania, Hernan Crespo will make his 100th appearance for Inter. The Argentine forward made his Nerazzurri debut in a 1-0 Serie A home win over Torino on 14 September 2002. His 99 appearances are subdivided as follows: 66 in Serie A, 9 in Coppa Italia, 1 in Italian Super Cup and 23 in European cups.

Ibra, Muntari, Vieira & goals in September

Three Inter players count September as their most prolific month of the Serie A calendar: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11 in September out of a total of 55 league goals), Sulley Muntari (2/8) and Patrick Vieira (3/9).

Catania looking to make history

If they beat Inter in Saturday's fixture at San Siro, Catania will have six points after 180 minutes of the 2008/09 Serie A season (they beat Genoa at home in Week 1). In their 11 top-flight seasons, Catania have never won their opening two matches.

Catania's last away win in league over a year ago

The Rossoazzurri are without an away win in the Serie A championship since 29 April 2007 when they beat Udinese 1-0 at the Stadio Friuli. The Sicilians have since collected 7 draws and 14 defeats on their Serie A travels.

Catania victorious away from home just once in last 25 games

Catania have won just once in their last 25 away matches - a 2-1 Coppa Italia victory over AC Milan at San Siro. In the other 24 matches they have collected 8 draws and 16 defeats.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(14) draws(3) defeats(0)

MILAN - Portuguese winger Quaresma scored on his first outing in an Inter shirt as José Mourinho celebrated his home debut in the Serie A championship with a 2-1 victory over Walter Zenga's Catania.

The Nerazzurri fell behind to Plasmati's goal in the 42nd minute but were level within sixty seconds when Quaresma's trivela went in via a deflection off Mascara.

A dominant Inter were reduced to ten men before the break with Muntari receiving his marching orders for slapping Tedesco in the face.

Mourinho's men edged in front early in the second half when Terlizzi inadvertently headed Maicon's cross in off the post.

Catania were unable to capitalise on the man advantage and Inter could have scored twice in the closing minutes, Bizzari pulling off miraculous saves from Ibrahimovic. 

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

Scorers: Plasmati 42, Quaresma 43, Terlizzi (og) 48.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 16 Burdisso, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell; 77 Quaresma (33 Mancini 78), 20 Muntari, 14 Vieira, 7 Figo (4 Zanetti 46); 8 Ibrahimovic, 45 Balotelli (19 Cambiasso 67).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 2 Cordoba, 9 Cruz, 10 Adriano.
Coach: José Mourinho.

Catania: 1 Bizzarri; 21 Silvestri, 23 Terlizzi, 6 Stovini, 4 Silvestre; 27 Biagianti, 8 Ledesma, 19 Tedesco (20 Antenucci 74); 25 Martinez (10 Dica 62), 16 Plasmati (9 Paolucci 62), 7 Mascara.
Subs not used: 12 Kosicky, 2 Sardo, 3 Sabato, 17 Baiocco.
Coach: Walter Zenga.

Booked: Tedesco 45, Ledesma 61, Vieira 59, Biagianti 66, Maicon 83, Dica 75, Paolucci 90+3.

Sent off: Muntari 45.

 

starting lineups

Julio Cesar 12 Bizzarri
Maicon 13 Silvestri
Burdisso 16 Terlizzi
Materazzi 23 Stovini
Maxwell 6 Silvestre
Quaresma 77 Biagianti
Muntari 20 Ledesma
Vieira 14 Tedesco
Figo 7 Martinez
Ibrahimovic 8 Plasmati
Balotelli 45 Mascara

substitutes

Toldo 1 Kosicky
Cordoba 2 Sardo
Zanetti 4 Sabato
Cruz 9 Paolucci
Adriano 10 Dica
Cambiasso 19 Baiocco
Mancini 33 Antenucci