Inter Milan 1 - 0 Chievo - Motta strike enough for Inter

Posted Sunday, October 23, 2011 by PA

Inter Milan recorded only their second Serie A victory of the season after easing past Chievo 1-0 at the San Siro.

Thiago Motta struck a 34th-minute winner as Inter finally gave their fans something to celebrate having failed to win in their previous four home matches in all competitions and having lost four of their six games in Serie A this term.

The result lifts Inter on to seven points but still leaves Claudio Ranieri's men struggling at the wrong end of the table, while Chievo are two points better off after seeing their four-match unbeaten run come to an end.

Inter came into the weekend hoping Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League win at Lille would be a turning point in their season, and they were soon on top against Chievo.

Giampaolo Pazzini was denied an early shooting chance by a crucial intervention from Chievo defender Santiago Morero at the expense of a corner, and Mauro Zarate drew a save out of visiting goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino in the 19th minute.

Inter captain Javier Zanetti fired wide in the 24th minute as the hosts continued to push for the opener before Wesley Sneijder saw a long-range effort fizz just inches past the post on the half-hour mark.

Sneijder then drew a save out of Sorrentino with a decent free-kick before the Dutchman helped Inter take the lead 11 minutes before half-time.

The former Real Madrid man swung over a corner and Motta got on the end of it to head home from 10 yards out.

That would prove to be the only goal of the game with neither side able to add to the scoreline in the second half.

Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar was called into action a couple of times after the break to keep out efforts from Alberto Paloschi and Bostjan Cesar, but he otherwise had little to do as Chievo, who had picked up eight points from their previous four games, struggled to create much to worry the home side's defence.

At the other end, the Nerazzurri might have increased their lead with chances for Maicon, who fired just over in the 66th minute before seeing another shot smash against the bar nine minutes later, as well as Luc Castaignos and Dejan Stankovic, but in the end Motta's goal was all they needed.