Final score

9 April 2011 18:00

Inter
39' (2nd half) Maicon
20' (2nd half) Cambiasso
2 - 0
ChievoVerona
Referee: Antonio Giannoccaro / Linesmen: Grilli, Rosi / Fourth official: Gorletto
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
47' The first half of Inter v Chievo ends 0-0
45' Giannoccaro awards 2 minutes of added time
43' We thought that was in! Pazzini, surrounded by three players, tries to squeeze in a shot and the rebound falls for Maicon, who fires one of his rockets at goal from the right. The net bulges but the ball hit the side netting
41' Sardo crosses onto Pellissier's head. Over
38' Inter find space again in a move that is a carbon copy of the one that led to Pazzini's 17th-minute shot. This time it's Eto'o who goes for goal with an effort that finishes just wide of the far post
36' Nagatomo sprints forward and feeds Eto'o, who manages to get a low cross in despite the attentions of two defenders; Pazzini can't connect and the ball runs out the other side
34' Sardo hits a cross-shot, Julio makes a high catch
31' Ranocchia fails to clear and Moscardelli is onto the ball: he hits an early shot from way out that goes wide
28' Pellissier plays a quick pass to Bogliacino, who tries to catch Julio Cesar off guard with a snapshot from the edge of the area. No problem for the keeper
26' A freekick from 40 yards out is taken by Moscardelli: miles off target
20' Sardo goes into the book for a foul on Eto'o
17' ANOTHER GREAT CHANCE. The captain shows some great skill to get the ball to Maicon, the Brazilian slides a perfectly weighted ball into the box, which Pazzini runs onto before clipping his shot just wide of the far post
15' GREAT CHANCE FOR INTER. As he picks himself up from the ground, Pazzini manages to lay off for Nagatomo, who sprints down the left wing getting past his man and drags a cross back across the goalmouth; Eto'o is unable to get the required touch
13' Freekick to Chievo. Bogliacino takes it and goes for a curler, Julio Cesar has it covered
9' Stankovic plays a long ball from the halfway line looking for Pazzini, but it's a fraction overhit and Sorrentino beats Pazzini to it
7' Zanetti shows another burst of pace before laying off to Eto'o; the Cameroonian lets fly with his right and Sorrentino gets down to make the save
6' Excellent run by captain Zanetti there: he works his way into the box at pace and pulls back for Eto'o, who can't quite latch onto it
3' A nasty foul on Maicon from behind by Fernandes sees Inter awarded with a freekick in midfield
1' WELCOME TO THE STADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA! Inter are looking to get back on track with a win over Chievo today, in their Serie A 2010/11 Week 32 fixture. We'll be kicking off at 18:00 CET
1' Rigoni gets an early sight at goal but his right-footed effort goes wide
1' Chievo kick off and we're away. FORZA INTER!!!
1' With Chivu suspended Leonardo opts for Nagatomo at left-back and also has Lucio available again - the Brazilian partners Ranocchia at the heart of the Nerazzurri defence. Zanetti starts in midfield alongside Cambiasso and Stankovic, who has recovered in time from his ankle injury. Kharja gets the nod over Sneijder in the hole behind front two Pazzini and Eto'o
Minute Text commentary
50' Giannoccaro calls an end to proceedings and Inter v Chievo finishes 2-0 to the Nerazzurri thanks to goals by Cambiasso and Maicon. Inter temporarily move back up to second in the table on 63 points, awaiting the results of AC Milan (away to Fiorentina) and Napoli (away to Bologna)
47' Sneijder starts an Inter break. Nagatomo races into the box with the ball at his feet. The left-back shoots but Sorrentino denies him a goal that would have been justice for his performance tonight
47' Freekick to Inter: Sneijder hits it straight into the wall
45' The referee signals 5 minutes of added time
45' Another chance for the Prince: Jokic tries to head clear but the ball falls for Milito, his header going wide
44' Milito receives the ball on the edge of the box and attempts to curl a shot into the far corner. Just wide
39' MAICON DOUBLES INTER'S LEAD! The Brazilian passes to Sneijder outside the box, the Dutchman's shot is charged down but reaches Milito, before the ball falls for Maicon, who keeps a cool head to turn and slot past Sorrentino to make it 2-0
39' Shudders around the Meazza: Uribe hits the side-netting
37' Chance for Sneijder: from Maicon's cross the Dutchman acrobatically strikes an effort from the edge of the box. Sorrentino saves
35' Thiago Motta feeds Milito, who only has the keeper to beat and goes for a deft chip. Sorrentino is having none of it
33' CLOSE FOR CHIEVO! Jokic crosses for Pellissier, who has time to pick his spot from the centre of the area but fortunately he skies his effort
31' Inter make their last change: Eto'o is replaced by Thiago Motta
31' Chievo substitution: Uribe on for Bogliacino
23' Pioli replaces Constant with Marcolini
20' GOAL FOR INTER!!! Sneijder takes the freekick and the ball drops for Lucio on the opposite wing; he lays back for Maicon, whose cross finds Cambiasso unmarked on the penalty spot: the Argentinian's shot takes a double deflection on its way into the back of the net. Inter 1 Chievo 0
20' Fernandes brings down Nagatomo. Inter have a freekick to the left of the penalty box...
17' Thereau whips in a dangerous low ball for Constant; Maicon misses the ball but so too does Constant
16' Leonardo makes his second change, bringing on Milito for Pazzini
15' Constant's cross is flicked on by Pellissier towards Mandelli in front of goal. Julio Cesar gets up to punch the danger clear
13' Sneijder picks out Nagatomo with a neat pass and the Japanese full-back hits the ball goalwards; Mandelli beats Pazzini to the ball to head clear
10' Substitution for Chievo: Moscardelli makes way for Thereau
6' Jokic hits in a cross from the right, Pellissier gets up and heads over
4' Sneijder's cross-shot flies over the bar
1' The second half gets underway with the sides level at 0-0
1' Inter make a half-time substitution: Sneijder replaces Stankovic
Zanetti
7.58
7.58
Stankovic
6.51
6.51
Cambiasso
7.43
7.43
Julio Cesar
7.15
7.15
Maicon
7.5
7.5
Milito
6.84
6.84
Motta
6.32
6.32
Lucio
7.41
7.41
Eto'o
6.25
6.25
Sneijder
6.72
6.72
Ranocchia
6.67
6.67
Pazzini
6.02
6.02
Kharja
6.25
6.25
Nagatomo
8.54
8.54
Average rating 6.94
6 shots on target 2
8 shots off target 11
10 fouls committed 19
4 corners 6
4 offsides 3
53% ball possession 47%
Leonardo v Pioli for the first time

This is the first time Leonardo and Pioli have faced each other, both as coaches and as players.

Nothing but wins for Leonardo as a coach against Chievo

This is the third time Leonardo has faced ChievoVerona as a coach. He won both previous matches with AC Milan in Serie A 2009/10. As a player Leonardo made one appearance against the Veneto side: a Coppa Italia tie played at the San Siro stadium in 2002/03 ended 0-0.

Pioli v Inter: one win each, both 2-1

This is the third time, as a coach, that Pioli has taken on Inter in a competitive fixture. Both games were at home for Pioli and both ended 2-1 - one for Pioli and one for Inter.

Inter come good after the break

In Serie A 2010/11 Inter are the team that has earned the most points in the second half. Compared to their first-half scorelines, they are 19 points better off after 90 minutes.

One defeat for Inter in 56 home games in Serie A

Inter have lost just one of their last 56 Serie A matches played at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza: the game against AC Milan on 14 November 2010 (0-1). The Nerazzurri's record in the other 55 games in that period is 42 wins (including all 9 of the last 9) and 13 draws.

8 home wins on the bounce for Inter in Serie A

Inter have won their last 9 Serie A fixtures played at home. Should the Nerazzurri make it 10 this afternoon, it would be their best winning run since September 2007-February 2008: back then they managed 11 in a row.

Fair play: Inter and Chievo, two extremes

In Serie A 2010/11, Inter are the team that have received the fewest yellow cards (50), while ChievoVerona have received the most (81).

Chievo, queen of the goalless draw

ChievoVerona have had more 0-0 draws in Serie A 2010/11 than any other team: 8.

Just one win in 8 for the Gialloblu

ChievoVerona have managed just one win in their last 8 matches, all of which have been in Serie A. That win came on 20 March when they edged a 1-2 victory away to Bari. In the other 7 games in that period the Gialloblu have had 3 draws and 4 defeats.

April: a great month for Pioli

For Stefano Pioli April is the month in which his sides have achieved the highest points average in league games: 1.71, coming from 12 wins, 12 draws and 4 defeats over 28 matches. Pioli's points average is actually higher in August (2.5), but league games aren't always played in that month.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(12) draws(4) defeats(1)

MILAN - Inter beat Chievo 2-0 in the early kick-off of Serie A 2010/11 Week 32 this evening. The first half ended 0-0, despite Giampaolo Pazzini and Samuel Eto'o both going close. The Nerazzurri took the lead in the 65th minute thanks to Cambiasso, whose goalbound effort took a double deflection off Andreolli and Sorrentino before hitting the back of the net. Maicon made the points safe with 6 minutes of normal time remaining, when he neatly slotted home after picking up a rebound in the box. Inter thus go up to 63 points to put pressure on the leaders, awaiting the results of tomorrow's games.

FIRST HALF – Leonardo made a few changes to the team that started against Schalke: Lucio returned from suspension to partner Ranocchia at centre-half while Nagatomo started at left-back. The coach fielded a three-man midfield of Zanetti, Cambiasso and Stankovic, with Kharja getting the nod over Sneijder to play in the hole behind Pazzini and Eto'o.

Chievo made a lively start to the game and Inter had to wait until the 7th minute for their first shot on goal: Zanetti set up Eto'o, whose effort was blocked easily by Sorrentino. Shortly afterwards, Stankovic tried to play a long ball for Pazzini but the ball bounced away from the striker and ended up in Sorrentino's arms. With just over a quarter of an hour played, Inter had two great chances to take the lead in quick succession: first Nagatomo, after being set away down the left flank by Pazzini, reached the by-line and pulled back for Eto'o, who failed to connect when he only needed the slightest of touches to turn it in. A minute later, Pazzini clipped his shot inches wide of the far post after being played in beautifully by Maicon. Chievo went close in the 28th minute when Bogliacino shot from the edge of the box, but Julio Cesar showed safe hands. Then on 34 minutes a dangerous cross-shot from Sardo looked as if it might trouble the Inter keeper, but the Brazilian managed to collect. Two minutes later Eto'o hit a ball into the centre looking for Pazzini, who couldn't quite reach it. Another decent chance came Inter's way with 38 minutes on the clock, and this time it was Eto'o's turn to hit an effort just wide of the post. Chievo hit back on 41 minutes when Sardo picked out Pellissier's head with a cross, but the striker's effort went over. And with half-time approaching, the Meazza crowd thought the Nerazzurri had taken the lead when Maicon's rocket hit the side-netting and created the illusion of a goal, after Ranocchia and Pazzini had both seen shots blocked. So the deadlock remained and the teams headed in for the break after two minutes of stoppage time were played.

SECOND HALF – Leonardo looked to shake things up at half-time and brought on Sneijder in place of Stankovic. Yokic's 51st-minute cross was inviting for Pellissier, but he again failed to keep his header down. Three minutes later Pellissier had another chance, this time with his feet, Julio Cesar saving comfortably. In the 58th minute Sneijder picked out Nagatomo and the Japanese full-back tried to set up Pazzini, but Mandelli was covering. On the hour mark the Nerazzurri keeper had to be alert to clear with his fists as Mandelli tried to nod home a dangerous high ball yards from goal. And Maicon made an important interception on Constant shortly afterwards, as Chievo continued to threaten. That, however, was the cue for Inter to score: Sneijder took a freekick out wide in the 65th minute, Lucio collected on the far side and laid back for Maicon to cross to the Argentinian, who was free in a crowded box. His shot took two deflections, off Andreolli and then Sorrentino, before nestling into the back of the net. Inter were 1-0 up. Pellissier had a fantastic opportunity to level the score in the 78th minute, following Yokic's low cross, but he contrived to shoot skywards when the goal was much closer. A few minutes later Thiago Motta's backheel allowed Milito to get a shot in, though he wasn't able to trouble Sorrentino with it. The Chievo shotstopper then made another save, from Sneijder, while down the other end Uribe went close for the visitors, who hadn't given up hope of snatching a point. Fortunately though, Inter were soon two goals to the good: Maicon played a ball to Sneijder, whose shot from the edge of the box was half charged down and went to Milito, before finding its way back to Maicon in the middle of the area; the Brazilian kept his cool to turn and slot into the corner and give the Nerazzurri some breathing space. Milito could have made it three, first when he tried to curl an effort into the top corner (on 89 minutes), then when Yokic unintentionally set him up, but the Prince couldn't get his header on target. In stoppage time Nagatomo had another chance, as he stormed into the box and shot left-footed, but he was denied by Sorrentino. After 5 minutes of added time, the match between Inter and Chievo finished 2-0.

Inter 2-0 Chievo (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: Cambiasso 65, Maicon 84.

Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 15 Ranocchia, 55 Nagatomo; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic (Sneijder 46); 14 Kharja; 7 Pazzini (Milito 61), 9 Eto'o (Motta 76).
Unused subs: 12 Castellazzi, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 27 Pandev.
Coach: Leonardo.

Chievo: 28 Sorrentino; 20 Sardo, 5 Mandelli, 3 Andreolli,17 Yokic; 6 Fernandes, 16 Rigoni, 23 Costant (Marcolini 68); 26 Bogliacino (Uribe 76); 80 Moscardelli (Thereau 55), 31 Pellissier.
Unused subs: 18 Squizzi, 4 Mantovani, 12 Cesar, 84 Pulzetti.
Coach: Stefano Pioli.

Referee: Antonio Giannoccaro (Lecce).

Booked: Sardo 20.
Added time: 2 + 5 minutes.
Attendance: 61,456.

starting lineups

Julio Cesar 1 Sorrentino
Maicon 13 Sardo
Lucio 6 Mandelli
Ranocchia 15 Andreolli
Nagatomo 55 Jokic
Zanetti 4 Fernandes
Cambiasso 19 Rigoni
Stankovic 5 Constant
Kharja 14 Bogliacino
Pazzini 7 Moscerdelli
Eto'o 9 Pellissier

substitutes

Castellazzi 12 Squizzi
Cordoba 2 Mantovani
Motta 8 Marcolini
Sneijder 10 Cesar
Milito 22 Thereau
Materazzi 23 Pulzetti
Pandev 27 Uribe