Inter, at half throttle, scores three goals and takes a big step toward Scudetto

It’s seemed clear for several rounds now, but it would take a miracle for Inter Milan not to win the title. After the 3–0 victory over Cagliari, the Nerazzurri have a 12-point lead over Napoli — a gap that already likely guarantees them the title.

The visitors started brighter and nearly stunned Inter early on. In the 4th minute, Cagliari carved out a dangerous opportunity as Palestra beat Dimarco and cut the ball back for Sebastiano Esposito, whose effort took a deflection off Mkhitaryan, forcing Yann Sommer to react quickly and tip it wide.

They continued to threaten, and in the 13th minute, a well-worked move involving Obert and Sulemana ended with Palestra firing over from the right side.

Inter gradually grew into the game and responded almost immediately. Just a minute later, Pio Esposito combined neatly with Thuram, but a crucial last-ditch block denied him a simple finish, while Dimarco was also stopped on the follow-up thanks to Adopo’s intervention.

As the half progressed, Inter began to apply more pressure, particularly from set pieces. Around the half-hour mark, Dimarco delivered a dangerous cross that goalkeeper Caprile struggled to deal with, but Sulemana was on hand to clear for a corner.

Moments later, another well-rehearsed corner routine saw Mkhitaryan tee up Carlos Augusto, whose shot was deflected narrowly wide. A third consecutive corner followed, but Dumfries could only head off target.

Inter came closest to scoring late in the half. In the 40th minute, Pio Esposito showed great control and strength to hold off his marker and fire a low shot towards the near post, but Caprile reacted well to keep it out.

Inter stepped up significantly after the break and quickly turned the game in their favor, scoring twice in the opening minutes of the second half to take full control.

The breakthrough came in the 52nd minute following a beautifully crafted move. Dimarco surged down the left flank and delivered a perfect cross to the far post, where Marcus Thuram was left with the simplest of tasks, tapping the ball into the net from close range.

Just four minutes later, Inter doubled their lead. After a scramble inside the box, the ball fell kindly to stand-in captain Nicolo Barella on the edge of the area, and the Italian midfielder made no mistake, firing a powerful strike from 16 meters that left Caprile with no chance.

Cagliari did have a moment of danger in the 68th minute when Palestra beat the offside trap and squared the ball across the six-yard box for Mendy, but a desperate last-ditch intervention prevented a certain goal and forced a corner.

From that point on, the tempo of the match dropped considerably. Inter were content to manage the game, likely with one eye on their upcoming Coppa Italia semi-final against Como in four days, while also knowing that this victory would further extend their lead over second-placed Napoli.

Chances became scarce for both sides, though Inter did come close once more in the 86th minute. Denzel Dumfries met a cross from the right with a header, but his effort sailed over the bar.

Zielinski put the finishing touch on the entire match in the second minute of stoppage time, when the brilliant Pole beat Cagliari’s goalkeeper with a phenomenal first-time strike from 20 meters — a truly beautiful goal.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 33

Friday

Sassuolo - Como 2-1 (2-1)

/Volpato 42, Nzola 44 - Paz 45+2/

Inter - Cagliari 3-0 (0-0)

/Thuram 52, Barella 56, Zielinski 90+2/

Saturday

16.00: (2.15) Udinese (3.25) Parma (3.60)

19.00: (1.58) Napoli (4.10) Lazio (6.50)

21.45: (2.55) Roma (3.25) Atalanta (2.85)

Sunday

13.30: (2.90) Cremonese (3.15) Torino (2.55)

16.00: (6.25) Verona (3.70) Milan (1.60)

19.00: (3.20) Pisa (3.20) Genoa (2.35)

21.45: (1.50) Juventus (4.20) Bologna (6.75)

Monday

21.45: (3.40) Lecce (3.30) Fiorentina (2.20)

***odds are subject to change***