Final score

7 February 2010 15:00

Inter
2' (2nd half) Milito
20' Samuel
6' Pandev
Cagliari
Referee: Andrea Gervasoni / Linesmen: Pirondini, Maggiani / Fourth official: Trefoloni
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
47' Half time. Inter lead Cagliari by two goals to nothing.
47' Another chance for Inter in stoppage time as Thiago Motta tests Agazzi after sidestepping Conti.
46' Free kick to us on the right wing after a foul on Maicon. Cambiasso's inswinging cross-shot is on target at the near post, forcing a save from Agazzi.
45' Two minutes of injury time.
43' Biondini switches to the left flank and whips in a cross that sails straight into the arms of Julio Cesar.
41' Cambiasso's free kick takes a deflection off the wall and spins up into the air. Agazzi catches.
39' Eto'o gets past Dessena down the right and crosses to Milito, who is surrounded by three Cagliari players and promptly dispossessed.
36' Nenè unleashes a terrific volley on the turn just outside the six-yard box. What a magnificent reflex save by Julio Cesar!
34' Cagliari counter-attack and have a goal disallowed for offside as Matri is adjudged to be in an offside position when he receives from Lazzari before firing into the net.
34' Milito latches on to a ball down the right and lifts into the area for Eto'o. Astori intercepts.
30' Jeda launches a fast counter-attack after elegantly bringing the ball out of defence. Zanetti intercepts his pass wide for Lazzari.
27' Julio Cesar makes a tricky save from Conti's 35-yard free kick.
24' Nenè combines with Conti in our box after a cross from Biondini but the Brazilian can't stop the ball from going out for a goal kick.
24' The sunshine islanders have woken up and their other Brazilian player Jeda flashes a low shot not far wide of Julio Cesar's right-hand post.
20' GOAL!!!!!!! Walter Samuel rises on the edge of the six-yard box and heads Maicon's right-wing corner beyond Agazzi. INTER 2-0 CAGLIARI.
19' Eto'o juggles the ball on the right edge of the area and plays in Maicon, who wins us a corner.
14' And another chance for Pandev. He controls Maicon's right-wing cross in the area and volleys at the well-positioned Agazzi, who fails to hold. The Macedonian's rebound is over the bar.
13' Cagliari are pinned back in their own half as the Nerazzurri pass the ball around with supreme confidence.
8' Another chance for Pandev. He receives from Eto'o in a central position just outside the box and scythes his effort over the crossbar.
8' Cagliari close to a quick reply. Conti unleashes a dangerous shot from 20 yards, forcing a tipped save from Julio Cesar.
6' GOAL!!!!!! GORAN PANDEV!!!! Javier Zanetti makes a strong run down the right and gets into the box before pulling back for Samuel Eto'o. The Cameroonian's shot is blocked by Dessena and spins off Canini, and Goran Pandev pounces to slot past Agazzi from close range. INTER 1-0 CAGLIARI.
3' From 25 yards Matri fires a low shot just wide of Julio Cesar's right-hand post.
1' Gorgeous day in Milan. The early-morning fog has lifted and the sun is out as we prepare to cheer on the Nerazzurri against Cagliari in Serie A Week 23 - our last afternoon kick-off of the month before the Week 26 trip to Udine on 28 February. In between, we've got evening games against Parma at the Tardini, Napoli in Naples, and Sampdoria and Chelsea right here at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
1' Maicon knocks a long ball into the area for Eto'o. Cagliari keeper Agazzi gets there first.
1' Off we go as Cagliari kick off. FORZA INTER!
1' Lineups: <br>Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 39 Santon; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 8 Thiago Motta; 27 Pandev, 22 Milito, 9 Eto'o. Subs: 1 Toldo, 7 Quaresma, 11 Muntari, 15 Krhin, 17 Mariga, 23 Materazzi, 45 Balotelli. <br> Cagliari: 25 Agazzi; 4 Dessena, 13 Astori, 21 Canini, 31 Agostini; 8 Biondini, 5 Conti, 10 Lazzari; 27 Jeda; 32 Matri, 9 Nenè. Subs: 12 Vigorito, 3 Ariaudo, 15 Marzoratti, 18 Parola, 20 Barone, 23 Larrivey, 28 Nainggolan.
1' With Wesley Sneijder out suspended and Dejan Stankovic still not match-fit, José Mourinho said in his pre-match presser that it would be easier to play with three strikers rather than a diamond midfield. And the Portuguese has gone for 4-3-3 with Pandev and Eto'o up front in support of Milito. Thiago Motta starts in midfield with Zanetti and Cambiasso after coming on as a sub against Fiorentina in midfweek, with Samuel and Cordoba earning recalls in defence.
Minute Text commentary
49' Full time. Inter beat Cagliari 3-0 and we're ten points clear at the top of the table as AC Milan are held 0-0 at Bologna. See you on Wednesday for Parma-Inter.
49' Lazzari tries to grab a late consolation for Cagliari. His long-range effort flies wide.
47' Balotelli tests Agazzi with a thunderous low shot from 25 yards.
45' Four minutes more to play.
45' Muntari blocks a fierce drive from Conti and remains on the ground with his head in his hands.
42' Muntari overhits his pass into the box for Balotelli. Goal kick to Cagliari.
41' Balotelli receives from Pandev and appears to control with his arm before blasting over the bar.
39' Mourinho withdraws Diego Milito. On comes Mario Balotelli.
38' Allegri brings on Nainggolan for Jeda.
36' Another chance for Matri. He controls Agostini's left-wing cross with his chest and blasts over from an inviting position.
36' Diego Milito is booked for foul play.
35' Matri swivels in the area and crashes his angled shot into the side-netting.
34' Dessena muscles past Santon down the right and wins his team a corner. The cross is blocked and cleared by Javier Zanetti.
32' Matri is flagged offside as he goes through on goal with just Julio Cesar to beat.
30' Mourinho brings on Mariga for Thiago Motta. It's the Kenyan midfielder's first appearance in Serie A for Inter.
30' Santon makes a back-post clearance to deny Conti a tap-in from Larrivey's cross.
28' Conti turns Samuel and slips in the box with the goal gaping. Chance wasted for the Rossoblu.
27' Muntari rifles wide a long-range shot.
26' Milito plays in Pandev with a brilliant defence-splitting touch but Dessena intercepts.
23' Conti sends his long-range swerving free kick over the bar and into the Curva Nord.
23' Muntari kicks out at Jeda and Gervasoni awards the visitors a free kick about 30 yards from goal.
21' Zanetti intercepts Jeda's pass for Larrivey. Inter launch a counter-attack and Astori cuts out Maicon's pass into the area for Milito, conceding a corner.
19' Thiago Motta is booked for a foul from behind on Cagliari captain Conti.
17' Maicon makes a headed clearance from Conti's free kick.
16' Agazzi spills a cross but luckily for the Cagliari keeper there's a team-mate on hand to make the clearance before Milito can pounce.
15' And Cagliari bring on Larriey for Nenè.
15' Inter bring on Muntari for Eto'o and Inter go from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2.
11' Cagliari replace Biondini with Barone.
9' Lazzari does what Agostini just did. JC keeps his far post covered and sees the ball fly behind for a goal kick.
9' Agostini's speculative shot from 25 yards is comfortably saved by Julio Cesar.
6' The Inter defence blocks efforts from Nenè and Matri as Cagliari look for a way back.
2' GOAL!!!!!!!! Our three strikers combine to kill off the game. Pandev one-twos with Eto'o and lays off to Milito who takes two quick touches before sliding past Agazzi for his 16th goal of the season. INTER 3-0 CAGLIARI.
1' Inter kick off the second half.
Zanetti
8.6
8.6
Cordoba
7.34
7.34
Cambiasso
7.62
7.62
Julio Cesar
8.42
8.42
Samuel
8.38
8.38
Maicon
7.4
7.4
Balotelli
6.71
6.71
Muntari
6.46
6.46
Santon
7.85
7.85
Milito
8.61
8.61
Motta
6.72
6.72
Eto'o
6.92
6.92
Pandev
9.18
9.18
Mariga
6.83
6.83
Average rating 7.64
7 shots on target 4
2 shots off target 7
16 fouls committed 10
2 corners 3
1 offsides 2
48% ball possession 52%
Mourinho v Allegri / Cagliari

José Mourinho has registered a win, a draw and a defeat from his three previous meetings with Cagliari and their coach Massimiliano Allegri. Both teams have scored four goals in the three games.

Details:
2008/09 Serie A Inter-Cagliari 1-1 1-2
2009/10 Serie A Inter-Cagliari ---- 2-1

Allegri v Mourinho / Inter

Likewise, Massimiliano Allegri has collected a win, a draw and a defeat from his three encounters with José Mourinho and Inter.

Details:
2008/09 Serie A Cagliari-Inter 2-1 1-1
2009/10 Serie A Cagliari-Inter 1-2 ----

Inter's terrific scoring form

Inter have failed to score in only one of their last 23 competitive matches (Barcelona 2-0 Inter on 24 November 2009), scoring 44 goals in the other 22 games. In Serie A, the Nerazzurri have failed to hit the target in one of their last 26 games (Sampdoria 1-0 Inter on 26 September 2009), netting 57 goals in the other 25.

Nerazzurri unbeaten at home since November 2008

Inter's last home defeat was a 1-0 loss to Panathinaikos in the Champions League on 26 November 2008. José Mourinho's team have since played 34 home games, winning 25 and drawing 9.

No other partnership like Eto'o & Milito

Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito are two of Serie A's three most decisive players after 22 rounds of matches, having earned Inter 14 points with their goals. Udinese's Di Natale is the third player.

Allegri's black February

February is the worst month of the footballing year for Massimiliano Allegri, according to the statistics. The Cagliari boss has a points-per-game average of 0.92 in the second calendar month, with 4 wins, 1 draw and 9 defeats from 14 games.

Cagliari unbeaten in six games

With 2 wins and 4 draws since their last defeat, a 2-1 reverse at Palermo on 6 December 2009, Cagliari are currently on their best run of form this season.

Rossoblu on target in 18 consecutive games

Cagliari have scored in each of their last 18 Serie A games, netting a total of 33 goals. Their last match without scoring was a 1-0 away defeat against Fiorentina on 13 September 2009.

Canini set for 100th Cagliari appearance

By appearing against Inter in Serie A Week 23, Michele Canini will complete a century of appearances for Cagliari. The Rossoblu defender, who made his debut for the club in their 3-1 Coppa Italia win away to San Marino on 7 August 2005, has played 92 times in Serie A and 7 times in the national cup.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(25) draws(10) defeats(7)

MILAN - Cagliari brought some Sardinian sunshine to Milan but Inter provided the style as José Mourinho's men outclassed the Rossoblu at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

The comfortable 3-0 victory sees the Nerazzurri open up a double-figure lead at the top of the table as second-placed AC Milan were held to a 0-0 draw in Bologna.

Goran Pandev and Walter Samuel gave Inter a dream start to leave Cagliari with an uphill task after just 20 minutes. Diego Milito made the result safe just after the restart to make it nine home wins on the trot for the defending champions.

True to his admission in the pre-match press conference José Mourinho renounced playing a diamond and fielded three strikers with Eto'o returning to the starting lineup for the first time since his return from Africa Cup of Nations duty.

With Sneijder out suspended and Stankovic still not fit, the Portuguese went for a midfield line of Zanetti, Cambiasso and Thiago Motta. Cordoba and Samuel were recalled in defence with Lucio sitting out the Week 23 clash through suspension.

Mourinho's tactics were bang on and Pandev celebrated an extraordinary start to the game in the sixth minute with his second home goal for Inter after his derby winner a fortnight ago.

Zanetti went on a marauding run down the right and cut inside before pulling back to Eto'o, who saw his shot rebound off Canini after Dessena's block. Pandev leapt onto the loose ball and slotted past Agazzi from close range.

Cagliari went close to a quick reply when Jeda forced a one-handed tipped save from Julio Cesar, but Inter were soon two goals up when Samuel rose on the edge of the six-yard box to catch Canini by surprise and head Maicon's right-wing corner past the despairing dive of Agazzi.

The visitors thought they were back in the game when Matri fired home after a pass from Lazzari, only for the offside flag to go up. Minutes later Nenè was left scratching his head wondering how Julio Cesar managed to keep out his terrific volley on the turn.

Our three musketeers combined to devastating effect right after half time to kill off the game. Pandev combined with Eto'o and rolled the return pass into the path of Milito who took two quick touches before slotting past Agazzi for his 16th goal of the campaign and 14th in Serie A.

With the points in the bag Mourinho brought on Muntari for Eto'o and went from 4-3-3- to 4-4-2. Mariga replaced Thiago Motta for his Serie A debut in black and blue with fifteen minutes remaining, while Balotelli came on in the closing stages for Milito who strolled off to a deserved standing ovation.

Inter 3-0 Cagliari (HT: 2-0)

Scorers: Pandev 6, Samuel 20, Milito 47.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 39 Santon; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 8 Thiago Motta (17 Mariga 75); 27 Pandev, 22 Milito (45 Balotelli 84), 9 Eto'o (11 Muntari 60).

Subs not used
: 1 Toldo, 7 Quaresma, 15 Krhin, 23 Materazzi. 

Coach
: José Mourinho.

Cagliari: 25 Agazzi; 4 Dessena, 13 Astori, 21 Canini, 31 Agostini; 8 Biondini (20 Barone 56), 5 Conti, 10 Lazzari; 27 Jeda (28 Nainggolan 83); 32 Matri, 9 Nenè (23 Larrivey 60).
Subs not used: 12 Vigorito, 3 Ariaudo, 15 Marzoratti, 18 Parola.
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri.

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni (Mantua).

Booked: Thiago Motta 64, Milito 81.

Att.: 57,079.

starting lineups

Julio Cesar 12 Agazzi
Cordoba 2 Dessena
Zanetti 4 Conti
Motta 8 Biondini
Eto'o 9 Nenè
Maicon 13 Lazzari
Cambiasso 19 Astori
Milito 22 Canini
Samuel 25 Jeda
Pandev 27 Agostini
Santon 39 Matri

substitutes

Toldo 1 Vigorito
Quaresma 7 Ariaudo
Muntari 11 Marzoratti
Krhin 15 Parola
Mariga 17 Barone
Materazzi 23 Larrivey
Balotelli 45 Nainggolan