Internazionale edged out a fiesty Catania this afternoon at the Guiseppe Meazza stadium. The hoasts triumphed 2-0 with goals from Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio.
Andrea Stramaccioni fielded three strikers, starting Cassano in behind Diego Mitlio and Rodrigo Palacio. The impressive Philippe Coutinho had to make to do with the bench. Catania coach Rolando Maran went a similar way. Depending on the influential Francesco Lodi to provide his attacking three Pablo Barrientos, Alejandro Gomez and Gonzalo Bergessio. Just five Italians took to the field in total.
Straight out the blocks the inspired Antonio Cassano dazzled the opposition with his trademark technique on the ball. But it was Catania who fashioned out the first opportunity after the fifth minute. Lodi played a ball over Inter's back line for Sergio Almiron who fired over Samir Handanovic's goal from about ten yards. A real let off for Inter who failed to pick up Almiron's run.
The hoasts were quickly back in possession and crafted a similar ball for Cassano to chase. The Italian managed to get beyond Pablo Alvarez and Nicola Legrottaglie, but not Catania goalkeeper Mariano Andujar who collected.
Catania showed they are no supporting act. And cleverly worked a freekick that saw Bergessio's header saved comfortably by Handanovic. The visitors second big chance came when Giovanni Marchese sneaked in behind Joel Obi into the six yard box, but couldn't get his feet together to dispatch a shot at goal.
Cassano reverted to sitting deeper behind his striking partners, and placed a superb ball over the Catania defence onto Palacio's head. The effort unfortunatly lacked any power to defeat Andujar. Catania looked to involve playmaker Gomez, but the Argentine was being well restrained by Obi on the left side.
Inter captain Javier Zanetti had a rare pop from distance that Anjudar nearly spilt. However it was near the half hour mark when Inter finally penetrated Catania. Esteban Cambiasso bending in a beautiful ball to the back post spotting Cassano's run in behind Alvarez, and heading down under Andujar's legs. 1-0 to the San Siro outfit and the form guy Antonio Cassano on the score sheet.
Marchese this time gets his shot away from all of twenty five yards, forcing Handanovic into a frantic save. Since falling behind however the visiting team rarely threatened on goal. And it was Stramaccioni's men who headed into the break the happier side.
Catania yet again started the half better than their opponents. Almiron and Lodi looking to supply Bergessio when in possession. Inter happy to absorb some pressure. It was the difference maker Cassano who nearly put his team further ahead. Brilliantly maneuvering his way into the box his pass accross the face of goal was almost met by Palacio, who just came up half a yard short.
On the hour Stramaccioni opted for a defensive change. Walter Gargano in place of Joel Obi. Again the thought of an Inter second goal was looking incredibly likely, Cambiasso knicking the ball of a lacklustre Lodi in the penalty area, and teeing up Milito who's shot is scuffed by Anjudar, and it luckily goes behind for a corner.
Antonio Cassano who is enjoying his best ever start to a league campaign, departs the field in the 68th minute to a round of applause from the home fans. But with the scoreline only 1-0 Catania still remain a threat, and a Pablo Barrientos attempted cross come shot, nearly wound up in the back of the net had Almiron made contact.
The Sicilian side come close again through Almiron via a deflected shot. From the resulting corner Inter win the ball and break forward in numbers and Cassano's replacement Ricky Alvarez should of made it two! Milito picks out the substitute in acres of space on the left, but the space soon diminishes when Alvarez drags it back onto his left foot and the danger subsides.
The tireless Cambiasso robs the ball back again from Catania and his cross is headed against the inside of the post from Andrea Ranocchia. Almiron who could've had a hat-trick today departs for Adrian Ricchiuti. With ten minutes remaining another well worked Inter move started by Gargano was again not finished by Alvarez, who was denied by the legs of Andujar.
With Inter's lead tenuous and the game seemingly passing Rodrigo Palacio by. The frustrated attacker soon earned the faith in why Stramaccioni kept him on the field. Milito dinked a ball for Palacio who's good initial first touch on his chest was bet by an even better finish onto his left foot. Andujar and Catania were going home pointless. Inter 2-0 up and in the ascendancy.
Inter seeked a third as Catania heads dropped. But at the final whistle the score looked comfortable, even though the match wasn't straight forward for Stramaccionni's players. Inter deserved winners after the ninety minutes.