BAKU – Now Andrea Stramaccioni's Inter really can think about the derby. They left the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium after a crushing display of superiority with a 3-1 victory over Neftchi in Matchday 2 of the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League.
The first half was all Inter and Guarin, looking more like a winger tonight, was at the heart of the first two goals. Ten minutes were on the clock when the Colombian drifted in from the right and played a neat pass for Coutinho, who turned the ball past Stamenkovic with a crafty backheeled flick. Guarin then provided more of the same for Obi to score with an easy finish on the half-hour mark. Inter's third came in the 42nd minute with a bit of help from Bertucci, the defender wrongfooting his own keeper with a deflected intervention that enabled Livaja to nod home. Canales pulled one back shortly after the restart but the hosts didn't have enough to trouble the Nerazzurri further.
Inter scored their 500th and 501st goals in European competitions this evening and the win takes them to the top of Group H alongside Rubin Kazan on four points. The next Europa League appointment is in three weeks' time when Partizan Belgrade visit the Meazza.
Neftchi 1-3 Inter (HT: 0-3)
Scorers: Coutinho 10, Obi 30, Livaja 42, Canales 53.
Neftchi PFK: 30 Stamenkovic; 22 Shukurov, 32 Yunuszade, 5 Mitreski, 16 Bertucci; 15 Ramos, 6 Sadygov; 10 Wobay, 9 Valencio; 21 Nurahmadov (Seyidov 46), 11 Canales.
Unused subs: 12 Balayev, 3 Yunisoglu, 4 Guliyev, 8 Abdullayev Elshan, 17 Abdullayev Araz, 28 Medhiyev.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 6 Silvestre, 19 Cambiasso, 40 Juan Jesus; 42 Jonathan, 14 Guarin (Gargano 82), 16 Mudingayi, 20 Obi (Ranocchia 64), 31 Pereira; 7 Coutinho (Garritano 75); 88 Livaja.
Unused subs: 12 Castellazzi, 24 Benassi, 44 Bianchetti, 55 Nagatomo.
Referee: Kevin Blom (NED).
Booked: Obi 24, Ranocchia 73, Pereira 84, Jonathan 88.
Added time: 1 + 4 minutes.
