MILAN – The game between Inter and Catania ended scoreless, with both president Erick Thohir and Massimo Moratti watching in the stands. There were plenty of chances but the Nerazzurri lacked the clinical finishing necessary in front of goal.
Walter Mazzarri fielded a three-man defence of Campagnaro, Rolando and Juan Jesus in front of Handanovic in goal. Jonathan, Kuzmanovic, Cambiasso and Nagatomo lined up in midfield, and Alvarez and Palacio supported Milito in attack.
Inter were the ones to force the action, as Catania sat back and waited to counter. On 17 minutes Campagnaro was the victim of an obvious shirt pull by Bellusci on a corner kick. Nine minutes later it took a great save from Catania’s keeper to deny Milito’s right-footed grass-cutter. The first half then ended scoreless.
In the 53rd minute a lovely long pass from Cambiasso picked out Milito, who got a toe to the ball but couldn’t quite tuck it away. Still, Milito, Palacio and Alvarez continued to push forward, with even Rolando contributing to the attack now and then. However, the Nerazzurri couldn’t summon the necessary solidity and clinical finishing needed to put the game away and had to content themselves with a solitary point from this scoreless draw.
Inter 0-0 Catania
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 14 Campagnaro, 35 Rolando, 5 Juan Jesus (Botta 81); 2 Jonathan, 17 Kuzmanovic (Kovacic 46), 19 Cambiasso (Taider 61), 55 Nagatomo; 11 Alvarez, 8 Palacio; 22 Milito.
Unused subs: 12 Castellazzi, 30 Carrizo, 4 Zanetti, 6 Andreolli, 9 Icardi, 23 Ranocchia, 25 Samuel.
Coach: Walter Mazzarri.
Catania: 1 Frison; 2 Peruzzi (Almiron 74), 5 Rolin, 6 Legrottaglie, 9 Bergessio, 10 Lodi, 11 Leto (Castro 70), 13 Izco, 14 Bellusci (Gyomber 67), 15 Rinaudo, 34 Biraghi.
Unused subs: 21 Andujar, 35 Ficara, 8 Plasil, 12 Lopez, 17 Guarente, 23 Boateng, 26 Keko, 33 Capuano.
Coach: Rolando Maran.
Referee: De Marco.
Booked: Rinaudo 22, Kuzmanovic 37, Legrottaglie 75.
Added time: 1 + 4 minutes.
Attendance: 35,007.