Inter Milan 3 : 2 Cesena Report - Inter on the march

Posted Wednesday, January 19, 2011 by PA

Inter Milan moved up to fourth place in Serie A with a battling victory over Cesena.

Samuel Eto'o set the Nerazzurri on their way in the 14th minute and Diego Milito added a second just a minute later.

Cesena's Erjon Bogdani reduced the deficit midway through the first half before Emanuele Giaccherini equalised before the half-hour mark, but a breathless opening period ended with Cristian Chivu popping up with the winner for the hosts on the stroke of the interval.

Cesena had Giaccherini sent off with 15 minutes remaining for a second booking.

The result marks Inter's fourth consecutive league win under new coach Leonardo and sees the Nerazzurri moved six points behind leaders AC Milan with a game in hand.

Inter started brightly and they went in front when Eto'o met Milito's pass and fired home from 10 yards past Cesena goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli.

The hosts doubled their lead soon seconds later. Goran Pandev picked out Milito inside the area and his close-range effort beat Antonioli.

Cesena reduced the deficit in the 23rd minute when Luca Ceccarelli's cross found Bogdani at the heart of the area and his right-footed effort beat Inter goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi.

Inter kept the pressure on but were unable to extend their lead and Cesena got back on level terms in the 29th minute, Giaccherini meeting Luis Jimenez's pass and drilling home a right-footed strike from eight yards.

The Nerazzurri were soon back in front, however, with Chivu's header from Maicon's cross beating Antonioli to bring an end to a thrilling first half.

Cesena struggled to get past Inter's defence after the re-start and the home team could have added to their lead in the 66th minute but Eto'o's stinging drive from 30 yards hit the bar.

At the other end, Jimenez almost made it 3-3. His run to the edge of the penalty area saw him fire wide of the far post, but the dismissal of Giaccherini late on made their task all the harder.

Cesena never gave up hope though and with one minute remaining Igor Budan struck just wide from a good position.