By Our Man at the San Siro
THE champagne is on ice in Milan. Cristian Chivu’s Inter Milan juggernaut took another massive stride toward their 21st Scudetto last night, dismantling a spirited but outclassed Cagliari 3-0 at a rocking San Siro.
It was a night where the stars didn’t just shine; they blinded. Despite a stubborn first-half defensive display from the visitors, Inter’s quality eventually told in a second-half blitz that left the Rossoblu reeling and the Nerazzurri faithful dreaming of the title.
After 45 minutes of knocking on the door, it was Marcus Thuram who finally kicked it down in the 52nd minute. The Frenchman, who has been in scintillating form, bagged his fourth goal in three games with a classic poacher’s finish.
The goal was made by the magical left boot of Federico Dimarco. The wing-back, currently the subject of intense contract extension talks, showed exactly why Inter are desperate to keep him, fizzing a cross across the face of goal that left Thuram with the simplest of tap-ins at the far post.
Barella’s Bolt from the Blue
If Thuram’s opener was about precision, the second was pure power. Just four minutes later, Nicolo Barella reminded everyone why he is the heartbeat of this midfield. Picking up the ball 15 meters out, he unleashed a thunderbolt that nearly took the net off its hinges, leaving the Cagliari keeper a mere spectator.
It was a goal of pure Serie A pedigree, effectively ending the contest before the hour mark.
The Nerazzurri saved the best for last in stoppage time. Piotr Zielinski, the Polish maestro, produced a moment of technical perfection, meeting a Denzel Dumfries delivery with a crisp volley that arrowed into the top corner. It was a goal fitting for a team that now sits a massive 12 points clear at the summit of the table.
With only six games remaining and a double-digit lead over Napoli, it is no longer a matter of if, but when Inter will be crowned kings of Italy again. For Cagliari, the struggle against the drop continues, but on this evidence, no one in the league could have lived with Chivu’s superstars.
MATCH FACTS
Final Score: Inter 3 – 0 Cagliari
Goals: Thuram (52’), Barella (56’), Zielinski (90+2’)
Attendance: 75,500
Man of the Match: Federico Dimarco (Inter)
