Inter Milan1-0 Juventus; Salute to Muntari

MILAN - Italian champions Inter increased their lead at the top of the table ahead of Sunday's fixtures with a 1-0 victory over traditional rivals Juventus in front of over 76,000 fans at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Sulley Muntari, who scored in the Italian Super Cup against Roma in August, tapped in the winner midway through the second half for his second goal in black and blue.

Both tacticians fielded 4-4-2 formations for the derby d'Italia, with José Mourinho partnering Ibrahimovic and Adriano in front of a midfield line of Zanetti, Stankovic, Cambiasso and Muntari.

Claudio Ranieri preferred Marchionni to Camoranesi in his midfield but was forced into an early change when Tiago pulled up after a duel with eventual man of the match Stankovic.

Juve keeper Manninger was kept busy in opening period, making saves from Ibrahimovic and Muntari before tipping over Maicon's brilliant curling free kick.

Inter continued to churn out chances and Ibrahimovic hit a shot just wide after a defensive error by Legrottaglie. The Nerazzurri went close again on the stroke of half time when Muntari's bullet shot was parried.

In between, Julio Cesar tipped over Juve's best chance of the half - a terrific long-range effort from Marchisio.

Chances were few and far between after the restart but Inter made their best one count when Muntari stroked Ibrahimovic's fast cross over the line with Manninger stranded.

Juve's only significant chance of an equaliser fell to their captain Del Piero who saw his header from Camoranesi's corner saved by Julio Cesar.

Source: inter.it

Inter Milan 1-0 Udinese; Cruz create goal in injury time

MILAN - Julio Cruz came off the bench and hit an injury-time winner as the Nerazzurri beat Udinese 1-0 at the Giuseppe Meazza.

The result puts Inter back on top of the Serie A table ahead of tonight's late game between AC Milan and Lecce.

After playing 4-4-2 in Reggio Calabria and Nicosia, José Mourinho reverted to 4-3-3 for the Week 11 clash, with Walter Samuel partnering Ivan Cordoba in the centre of defence after a long lay-off through injury.

Captain Zanetti was back in midfield after playing at left-back in Cyprus, playing alongside Cambiasso and Vieira.

It was the French midfielder who had the first clear chance of the game when he rifled wide from Ibrahimovic's pass in the 11th minute.

Udinese matched Inter blow for blow and Pepe forced Julio Cesar into an early save with a dipping header.

The Inter keeper was kept busy and expertly blocked a fierce long-range effort from Inler.
The Bianconeri went close again just after the break when Julio Cesar made a one-handed save from Floro Flores.

Inter stepped up a gear and had a double chance when Handanovic parried Ibrahimovic's angled drive before denying Balotelli a chance from the loose ball.

Handanovic then made a punched clearance from Cambiasso's curling free kick, keeping out Ibrahimovic's headed follow-up.

Pasquale Marino's side soaked up the pressure and hit back, D'Agostino forcing Julio Cesar into a diving save with a blistering long-range shot.

Quagliarella then had a shot on the turn deflected wide for a corner but the Nerazzurri surged forward and Javier Zanetti unleashed a low long-range shot that bounced back off the post.
Just when it looked like Inter were heading for their second consecutive goalless draw at home, substitute Cruz popped up in the area to nod home Maicon's headed assist from Obinna's left-wing corner.

source: inter.it