Inter 3-1 Cagliari: Hosts strengthen grip on Serie A top spot
Inter moved six points clear of Napoli in Serie A on Saturday, putting pressure on Antonio Conte's side ahead of their game on Monday.
Inter cruised to a 3-1 win over Cagliari at San Siro on Saturday to tighten their grip on top spot in Serie A.
The victory moved them six points clear at the summit, with second-placed Napoli not playing until Monday when they face lowly Empoli.
Marko Arnautovic put the hosts ahead after 13 minutes, blasting home from close range after profiting from a defensive mix-up.
Roberto Piccoli should have equalised in the 26th minute - he was one-on-one with Yann Sommer but saw his tame effort parried by the goalkeeper.
Seconds later, Inter doubled their lead. Lautaro Martinez was fed in behind by Arnautovic and chipped a fine finish over Elia Caprile.
Cagliari pulled one back three minutes into the second half when Piccoli was left unmarked, and he sent a header into the ground that bounced into the top-left corner.
However, their growing momentum was punctured in the 55th minute when Yann Bisseck rose highest at a corner to head in their third.
Stefan de Vrij made a late block on the line to keep out Piccoli once more, while Bisseck saw another chance sail over the crossbar, but his goal had already wrapped up the points for the hosts.
Pole position, fastest lap and... points @Gate_io #ForzaInter #InterCagliari pic.twitter.com/pLAeratfn3
— Inter (@Inter_en) April 12, 2025
Data Debrief: Inter enjoy home comforts
With six games remaining in the title race, Inter look to have put themselves in a strong position at the top of the table.
The Nerazzurri have won six home games in a row in Serie A for the first time since the period between October 2023 and March 2024 (nine in that case).
Indeed, with Simone Inzaghi as a coach (since 2021-22), Inter have recorded 54 home wins in Serie A. In the period, only Manchester City (56) and Liverpool (55) have won more home games in the big-5 European leagues (Real Madrid have also won 54).
Martínez's goal came at a timely moment, following Piccoli's miss. He became the first player to be involved in at least 15 goals in each of the last six Serie A seasons (12 goals and three assists in 2024-25).