Inter beat Cagliari 3-0 at San Siro to go 12 points clear at the top of Serie A, with goals from Thuram, Barella and Zielinski.
Inter moved a step closer to the Serie A title with a controlled 3-0 win over Cagliari. The result at San Siro stretched their lead to 12 points at the summit. With five games remaining, the Nerazzurri remain firmly on course for silverware.
Inter started on the front foot but found space hard to come by early on. Cagliari stayed compact and frustrated the hosts in the first half. The visitors even registered the first shot on target through Sebastiano Esposito. Josep Martinez reacted well to push the effort away.
The home side gradually grew into the game and began to create openings. Federico Dimarco came closest midway through the half with a close-range effort. His attempt was cleared off the line after good work from Marcus Thuram. Francesco Pio Esposito also tested Elia Caprile with a low strike.
Despite Inter’s territorial dominance, clear chances remained limited before the break. Cagliari’s defensive structure held firm under pressure. The first half ended goalless, with the hosts needing more urgency. The breakthrough felt close but had not yet arrived.
Inter emerged sharper after the restart and immediately raised the tempo. Their pressure paid off in the 52nd minute through Thuram. Dimarco burst down the left and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box. Thuram arrived unmarked to tap into an empty net.
The goal shifted momentum decisively in Inter’s favor. Just four minutes later, they doubled their lead through Nicolò Barella. The midfielder reacted quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the box. He struck a powerful effort into the top corner against his former club.
Cagliari struggled to respond after conceding twice in quick succession. Inter controlled possession and dictated the pace of the game. The visitors found it difficult to build sustained attacks. The home side looked comfortable as the match entered its final stages.
Inter continued to manage the game efficiently in the closing minutes. Their defensive structure limited Cagliari to speculative efforts from distance. The hosts remained patient and waited for further openings. They eventually added a third goal in stoppage time.
Piotr Zieliński provided the finishing touch with a superb strike. The midfielder hit a first-time effort from outside the box. His shot curled into the top corner to cap an impressive display. It was also a milestone goal, marking his 50th in Serie A.
The late goal added gloss to a dominant second-half performance. Inter’s composure and quality proved too much for their opponents. The victory extended their winning run and strengthened their title push. Confidence continues to build at a crucial stage of the season.
Thuram’s opener set the tone for Inter’s second-half dominance. Dimarco was influential with his attacking runs and precise delivery. Barella produced a standout moment with his powerful strike. Zieliński’s late goal highlighted the depth within the squad.
Inter’s ability to shift gears after half-time proved decisive. Their quick double effectively ended the contest. Control in midfield and sharp finishing made the difference. Cagliari could not recover after the early second-half blows.
Inter recorded 18 total shots with five on target during the match. They generated an expected goals figure of 2.19 from their chances. Cagliari attempted 10 shots but managed just 0.46 xG overall. Possession slightly favored Inter, who controlled key phases.
The hosts were far more clinical in front of goal. Their efficiency after the break proved crucial in securing the win. Defensively, they limited clear-cut chances despite Cagliari’s efforts. It was a balanced performance built on patience and precision.
Inter remain in control of the title race and sit 12 points clear at the top. They return to action against Como in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg on Tuesday night. Cagliari will shift focus to their fight for survival in Serie A.
