ROME: Troubled Inter Milan earned only their third win of this Serie A season on Saturday as they beat Cagliari 2-1 at the San Siro.
The result left the 2010 Champions League winners still down in 16th position ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games and only three points above the relegation zone. Thiago Motta scored a controversial opener before Coutinho secured the points although Joaquin scored a late goal for the visitors to give Inter some nervy moments at the death.
The victory was crucial for Caludio Ranieri’s players who have struggled at the bottom of the table all season.
And they weren’t helped before kick-off when playmaker Wesley Sneijder pulled up with a muscle problem, although his replacement in the starting line-up Coutinho grasped the chance with both hands.
For Calgiari, who were being guided by their third coach this season in Davide Ballardini, it continued their recent slump that has seen them now lose their last three and fail to win in six scudetto matches. The first decent chance of the game came when Cagliari’s Albin Ekdal burst 40 yards from the halfway line, holding off Walter Samuel before firing wide.Thereafter the game settled into a predictable pattern with Inter dominating possession. (Agencies)