MILAN – It finished 1-1 between Inter and Cesena at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza this evening, despite the Nerazzurri’s numerous attempts to find the winning goal in the second half.
Palacio had the first chance of the match after just five minutes. Guarin and D’Ambrosio combined well to play in the Argentine, but the striker’s shot fizzed just past the post. Kuzmanovic was next to worry Leali on 14 minutes, but his headed effort from Guarin’s cross whistled over the Cesena keeper’s goal.
The Nerazzurri were unfortunate not to find the breakthrough in the opening exchanges, but when the early momentum dropped it was Cesena who drew first blood. Djuric received the ball on his chest, laying it off for Carbonero to play a cutting ball through for Defrel. The Frenchman held his nerve to lob the ball over Handanovic and put the visitors ahead.
It was a blow for Inter, but they very nearly restored parity on two occasions before the half-time whistle. First Guarin came close with a strong left-footed effort from outside of the box, then the Colombian again threatened to get his name on the scoresheet with a smart header.
The second half saw Mancini’s side come out with renewed hunger. Icardi had San Siro on its feet with a stunning overhead kick which steamed past Leali, only for the audacious attempt to be ruled out for offside. A few seconds later, however, and Inter were level. Maurito fired in a low cross for Palacio, who swept home at the near post to make it 1-1.
What followed was nothing short of a Nerazzurri onslaught. Half-time sub Lukas Podolski saw his deflected effort cannon off the post and trickle along the goal-line to no avail. On 75 minutes, Palacio played in Icardi with a smart backheel, only for Maurito to shoot wide.
With five minutes left to play, Icardi came close yet again from a Guarin assist, before two Podolski efforts in quick succession drew some heroic defending from the Cesena backline. Despite their efforts, there was to be no late winner for the Nerazzurri, who will now be focusing all their attentions on Thursday’s Europa League showdown with Wolfsburg.
INTER 1-1 CESENA
Scorers: Defrel 30, Palacio 48.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 23 Ranocchia, 6 Andreolli, 22 Dodo (Santon 62); 13 Guarin, 18 Medel, 17 Kuzmanovic (Podolski HT); 91 Shaqiri (Kovacic 24); 8 Palacio, 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 14 Campagnaro, 20 Obi, 21 Santon, 26 Felipe, 28 Puscas, 77 Brozovic, 88 Hernanes.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
CESENA: 1 Leali; 24 Perico, 25 Capelli, 15 Krajnc, 17 Magnusson; 5 Giorgi, 26 Mudingayi (Cascione 80), 8 De Feudis (Pulzetti 74); 7 Carbonero; 92 Defrel, 18 Djuric (Rodriguez 80).
Subs not used: 30 Agliardi, 81 Bressan, 2 Nica, 11 Brienza, 14 Volta, 19 Succi, 28 Gaiola, 32 Moncini.
Coach: Domenico Di Carlo.
Booked: Defrel 26, Ranocchia 45+1.
Added time: 1 + 3 mins.
Referee: Gervasoni.
Assistants: Dobosz, Iori.
Fourth official: Di Fiore.
Additional assistants: Tagliavento, Manganiello.
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