MILAN – Diego Milito, him again. Inter came from behind to win in front of their own fans at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza thanks to a double from El Principe, in Andrea Stramaccioni's third game in charge of the first team. It finished 2-1 against Siena, after D'Agostino had opened the scoring. Inter, however, pressed for the entire game and equalised at the end of the first half, before grabbing all three points after a penalty in the second. The Nerazzurri move to 48 points.
FIRST HALF - In his third game in charge of the first team, Stramaccioni recalled Alvarez (his first appearance since 12 Febraury, Inter v Novara), who lined up in a front three alongside Milito and Zarate. Julio Cesar returned in goal, behind a central defensive pairing of Lucio and Samuel, with Zanetti and Chivu as full-backs. The Nerazzurri captain made his 570th appearance in Serie A, equalling Dino Zoff in third place in the all-time list of most appearances in the top flight, behind Maldini and Pagliuca, 647 and 592 respectively. Cambiasso, Stankovic and Obi made up the midfield three.
Inter began strongly, but it was Siena who took the lead, as early as the 6th minute. D'Agostino struck after Julio Cesar had denied Destro and Brienza with a miraculous double save. Inter didn't let their heads drop though, playing with authority as they passed and moved to good effect. On 17 minutes Chivu's cross found Milito, who struck a glancing header but the ball went wide of the back post and Cambiasso was unable to keep the ball in play. A minute later, Milito tangled with Vitiello, before going to ground in the area. It was a clear push but the referee Romeo waved away the appeals.
In the 23rd minute Inter had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out. From the resulting corner Cambiasso put the ball in but the referee had already blown for a foul on the Siena goalkeeper by Milito. Stramaccioni's side continued in this vein, with El Principe again going close four minutes later, only to be denied by Pegolo. Samuel was able to atone for his error for the opening goal as he came back to block Brienza's cross and thwart Siena. Moments later, however, the Argentine was forced from the field of play through injury. He was replaced by Nagatomo with Chivu moving across to centre back.
Stankovic and Alvarez had the crowd on their feet on 41 minutes, but sadly the Serb's finish left a lot to be desired. A minute later, Inter equalised following a mistake from Pesoli. The Siena defender miscued from a Nerazzurri corner and practically served the ball on a plate for Milito who scored with his head. Following a minute of added time, the first half between Inter and Siena finished 1-1.
SECOND HALF – There were no changes for the second half. After 54 minutes Milito nearly gave Inter the lead but he was tackled by Pesoli after Pegolo had failed to hold the ball following Alvarez's left-footed shot. A minute later the Siena keeper again denied Inter, this time through Stankovic. The Nerazzurri continued to pour forward with determination. A lovely move saw Milito find Obi in the box with a backheel, and he in turn found Cambiasso but - off-balance - he was unable to find the target.
In the 63rd minute Zarate showed incredible technique to bring a ball down. He then centred for Milito who dummied for Cambiasso, but the latter was unable to reach the ball. Ten minutes from time Pesoli held Pazzini in the box but again the referee let play continue. A minute later, however, a penalty was awarded as Nagatomo was tugged back by Mannini. Milito stepped up to dispatch the penalty. 2-1 to Inter. El Principe moved to 20 league goals. After three minutes of added time – in spite of a late onslaught from the Tuscan side – the match finished Inter 2-1 Siena, with the Nerazzurri moving level with Napoli on 48 points. That's 7 points in 3 games for Stramaccioni.
Inter 2-1 Siena (HT: 1-1)
Scorers: D'Agostino 6, Milito 42, 81.
Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 4 Zanetti, 6 Lucio, 25 Samuel (Nagatomo 38), 26 Chivu; 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic, 20 Obi (Poli 68); 11 Alvarez (Pazzini 76), 22 Milito, 28 Zarate.
Unused subs: 12 Castellazzi, 9 Forlan, 14 Guarin, 23 Ranocchia.
Coach: Andrea Stramaccioni.
Siena: 25 Pegolo; 2 Vitiello (Contini 73), 19 Terzi, 26 Pesoli, 3 Del Grosso; 70 Mannini, 8 Vergassola, 26 Bolzoni (Gazzi 63), 23 Brienza; 10 D'Agostino (Gonzalez 62); 22 Destro.
Unused subs: 1 Brkjc, 15 Belmonte, 17 Grossi, 77 Sestu.
Coach: Giuseppe Sannino.
Referee: Andrea Romeo (Verona).
Booked: Samuel 20, Pesoli 45, Vitiello 60, Mannini 84, Contini 85.
Sent off: Pegolo 90+3.
Added time: 1+3.
Attendance: 46,327.
