(N) Cagliari 2 : 2 Inter Milan - Inter have to settle for point

Posted Saturday, April 07, 2012 by PA

Inter Milan twice came from behind to force a 2-2 draw against mid-table Cagliari which kept the Nerazzurri in the hunt to salvage Europa League qualification from a miserable campaign.

The Sardinians moved the fixture to the north-eastern city of Trieste due to a dispute with the local council over the renovation of the Sant' Elia stadium in Cagliari, but could scarcely have wished for a better start as Davide Astori fired them in front in the fifth minute.

Inter, who won their opening match under interim coach Andrea Stramaccioni 5-4 against Genoa last weekend, quickly levelled through Argentinian forward Diego Milito. Cagliari regained the lead after an hour's play through Mauricio Pinilla's header but again the advantage was short-lived as Esteban Cambiasso brought Inter back on terms.

Inter tried to take the early initiative as Mauro Zarate's shot from long range gave Cagliari goalkeeper Michael Agazzi an early test, but the home side gained the lead when Andrea Cossu's corner found its way to Astori, whose left-foot shot proved too good for Luca Castellazzi.

Milito provided an instant response for Inter, latching onto a pass from compatriot Zarate before applying a low right-foot finish past Agazzi.

Daniele Conti fired wide from long range before Agazzi was able to keep out a Cambiasso header in the 25th minute. Pinilla headed a Cossu corner wide for Cagliari in the 27th minute and Castellazzi then did well to block an effort from Radja Nainggolan with eight minutes of the half to go.

Inter carved out the first opening of the second period as Dejan Stankovic's shot from long range was fielded by Agazzi in the 50th minute, but just over 10 minutes later Cagliari restored their lead as Conti's cross was headed home by Chilean forward Pinilla.

Again, Stramaccioni's men showed their fighting qualities as Cambiasso's left-foot strike gave Agazzi no chance, although the Cagliari goalkeeper was able to deny Zarate with a right-foot shot from outside the box with 11 minutes left.

Serbian midfielder Stankovic was withdrawn and replaced by Nigerian Joel Obi for the final seven minutes and he certainly made an impact, firing over the top in the 86th minute and then providing an assist to Giampaolo Pazzini in the final seconds, but the Italy striker could not steer his effort on target.