CAGLIARI – Luciano Spalletti’s Inter picked up another win with another brace from Mauro Icardi as the Nerazzurri return home with three points in the bag and top of the table ahead of tomorrow’s matches. The captain scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season, while Brozovic found the net straight after coming on. Pavoletti scored for the hosts.
The home side were very aggressive in the opening exchanges. In the third minute, Joao Pedro controlled the ball inside the area and looked to find the net but Handanovic saved from a central position. Two minutes later, the Nerazzurri goalkeeper had to make a save down low from Pavoletti who then went close to opening the scoring in the 16th minute with a header from Faragò’s cross but Handanovic was alert again to say no with a great stop. After Cagliari had started at a high tempo, Icardi stuck in the 29th minute. Candreva crossed from the right, Perisic was there at the far post to knock it back into the middle where Mauro is always lethal. Six minutes later and Inter almost doubled the lead from a similar move. Rafael came out for a Candreva cross from the right but missed it. Icardi wasn’t then able to connect cleanly with his left and Romagna was able to clear before it could cross the line. Spalletti’s side finished the half on the front foot. In the 44th minute, Santon received the ball at the edge of Cagliari’s box and his powerful but inaccurate shot went off target. The sides went into the break with Inter 1-0 up.
The second half began with Cagliari on the front foot, with Barella earning his side a corner in the 48th minute following a deflection from Santon. Vecino was then forced to depart the pitch in the 53rd minute with a muscular injury, with Brozovic coming on as his replacement. It took just 120 seconds for the Croatian to then get himself on the scoresheet. With Skriniar launching a long ball forward to the impressive Candreva, his cross then found the incoming Brozovic on the edge of the area, who fired a cracking first-time finish past Rafael. Having doubled their lead, Inter once again regained control of the match and came close to making it three in the 62nd minute through Perisic. The hosts got one back in the 71st minute through Pavoletti, as he volleyed home following a fine cross from Faragò. Just 10 minutes later, substitute Farias forced a strong save from Handanovic, before Icardi then settled any Nerazzurri nerves soon after. Come the 83rd minute, the ball fell nicely for the captain after a poor punched clearance, who then easily placed the ball past Rafael. The goal was awarded after brief VAR analysis, with Icardi now having scored 15 goals in 14 matches. Still hungry for more however, the Argentine attacker troubled the Rossoblu shot-stopper once again with a decent individual effort in the 90th minute. Following five minutes of added time at the end, Inter successfully ran out 3-1 winners at the Sardegna Arena, consequently moving top of the Serie A standings for the time being.
CAGLIARI 3-1 INTER
Goalscorers: 29' Icardi (I), 55' Brozovic (I), 71' Pavoletti (C), 83' Icardi (I)
CAGLIARI: 1 Rafael; 13 Romagna, 23 Ceppitelli, 3 Andreolli; 16 Faragò, 18 Barella, 8 Cigarini, 21 Ionita (64' 17 Farias), 20 Padoin; 30 Pavoletti (87'9 Giannetti), 10 Joao Pedro (82' 7 Cossu)
Substitutes: 26 Crosta, 28 Cragno, 2 Van der Wiel, 4 Dessena, 12 Miangue, 19 Pisacane, 24 Capuano, 36 Melchiorri
Coach: Diego Lopez
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 37 Skriniar, 25 Miranda, 21 Santon; 11 Vecino (53' 77 Brozovic), 5 Gagliardini; 87 Candreva (86' 7 Cancelo), 20 B. Valero, 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi (94' 23 Eder)
Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 10 Joao Mario, 13 Ranocchia, 17 Karamoh, 29 Dalbert, 55 Nagatomo, 99 Pinamonti
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
Bookings: Miranda (I), Ceppitelli (C), Gagliardini (I)
Added time: 0' + 5'
Referee: Pairetto
Assistants: Vuoto, Del Giovane
Fourth Official: Piscopo
VAR operators: Mariani, Martinelli
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