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