Inter Milan went into tonight's Serie A clash with Bologna looking for a win to keep their chances of Champions League qualification alive.
Stefano Poli's side travelled to the San Siro in fine form and took the lead just after the interval when Alessandro Diamanti found Alberto Gilardino to volley home at the far post.
Andrea Stramaccioni's side piled on the pressure but were unable to find an equaliser as Bologna held on for their third successive league win.
Look back at a night which saw Inter lose for the first time in 16 home games with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Hello Serie A fans and welcome to the last action of a packed weekend of football in Italy. Inter Milan host Bologna tonight looking to lift morale at the San Siro and boost their quest for Champions League football.
Inter were resoundingly beaten by Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday and need a minor miracle to overturn a 3-0 deficit in the second leg next week. With that in mind finishing in the top five and securing a return to Europe next season has become Andrea Stramaccioni's number one priority. Expect to see Inter rejuvenated on a special night in the club's history.
Tonight marks the 105th anniversary of Inter Milan's formation on March 9, 1908. Inter players will wear special shirts to mark the occasion, which also marks Javier Zanetti's 600th game for the club. The 39-year-old will skipper the side this evening knowing that a win will keep Inter fourth and put them within striking distance of Champions League rivals AC Milan and Napoli.
Bologna are notoriously poor away from home but have been in fine form of late, thanks largely to the fine form of Alessandro Diamanti. The talented playmaker has been heavily linked with a move to Inter in recent weeks and has a chance to impress in person this evening!
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! The starting XI's have been released at the San Siro and will make for surprise reading to many Inter fans. Antonio Cassano has been dropped and teenager Marco Benassi handed a rare start. The full lineups of both teams will follow shortly.
INTER: Carrizo, Zanetti, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Pereira, Stankovic, Gargano, Schelotto, Guarin, Benassi, Palacio
BOLOGNA: Curci, Garics, Sorensen, Antonsson, Morleo, Perez, Taider, Christodoulopoulos, Diamanti, Gabbiadini, Gilardino
Stramaccioni has decided to stick to a recent policy or rotation and spring a number of surprises on Bologna tonight. Most notably Dejan Stankovic starts for the first time since recovering from a long-term knee injury, alongside Walter Gargano in midfield.
Inter have also been forced to hand third-choice goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo his first start since last May. Number one Samir Handanovic is out through suspension, with normal replacement Luca Castellazzi sidelined by shoulder surgery.
A worrying injury list is also catching up with Inter in recent weeks, with Ricky Alvarez joining Diego Milito, Walter Samuel, Yuto Nagatomo and Matias Silvestre on the treatment table. 18-year-old Benassi gets a first-team chance as a result and will support lone striker Rodrigo Palacio from deep.
Palacio's return to the starting XI is no surprise given his impact from the bench in recent matches. The Argentine scored a vital brace late on against Catania last weekend and is preferred to Rocchi and Cassano, who have flattered to deceive up top in the last two matches.
Bologna are missing a couple of key players but line up in a familiar formation in attack. Panagiotis Kone is out tonight through suspension, with Cesare Natali and Niccolo Cherubin both missing with knocks.
Expect Zanetti to be busy on his 600th Inter appearance thanks to Bologna's potent three-man attack. Diamanti and Gilardino share an understanding that is hard to match in Serie A, with intelligence and skill allowing the pair to prosper. With support coming from Manolo Gabbiadini in behind the visitors are capable of scoring against any side in Italy on their day.
Regular visitors to Sports Mole's Italian coverage will remember an incredible match between Inter and Bologna earlier this season. The two sides clashed in the Coppa Italia, with Bologna coming back from two down to take the tie to extra time. Inter eventually scored a winner in the 120th minute of a memorable encounter that saw Palacio, Diamanti and Ranocchia take centre stage.
The Rossoblu will be confident of gatecrashing Inter's birthday celebrations tonight after winning their last two matches in Serie A. If Bologna can make it third time lucky at the San Siro they will climb four places and move into the top half. Quite an incentive for Stefano Poli's men to upset the odds!
PREDICTION: Just before the two teams emerge at the San Siro there is time for me to make a reasoned prediction. Bologna are inconsistent and hard to figure out, while Inter are absolutely desperate for a victory. I think both teams will score but Palacio will guide Strama's side to three precious points in a 2-1 win.
Bologna get us underway and proceed to smash the ball out of play as Diamanti searches for a diagonal pass. Inter manage to give possession away almost as quickly and Guarin takes his frustration out on Diamanti to concede an early free kick.
CHANCE! Bologna could quite easily be ahead inside three minutes at the San Siro. Diamanti's looping cross has Carrizo beaten but Sorensen somehow turns his header over the bar from three yards. What a chance for the visitors to steal an early advantage.
MISS! Inter are still asleep as Bologna come within inches of scoring for the second time in six minutes. Gabbiadini was played through on goal by Christodoulopoulos, but under little pressure sprays his strike wide of the near post from close range. Quite how the midfielder failed to score his sixth of the season is beyond me!
Stramaccioni will be furious with his side's attitude in the early going. There is no pressure on Bologna's possession, and with a playmaker like Diamnti given freedom that is recipe for disaster from an Inter perspective.
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Taider drives at the Inter defence and isolates Ranocchia in the final third. His cutback finds Diamanti, who whips in a dangerous cross which Gargano finally clears at the second time of asking. Palacio looks too isolated in attack for the home side, which means they are unable to keep possession for any prolonged period.
SHOT! Another wonderful piece of play from Diamanti has just unlocked the Inter defence for a third time. His clever chip finds Gilardino in space just outside the penalty area. The forward steadies himself before unleashing a volley which dips just past the far post. Bologna are dominant but have failed to turn their positive start into an opening goal.
Zanetti intercepts another diagonal pass and shouts a series of instructions to his Inter teammates. This is not the start the 39-year-old wanted on his 600th appearance for the Nerazzurri.
There is a delay in play for Sorensen to receive treatment after Gargano catches the defender with his studs in a 50/50 challenge. That looked like a late challenge as the Danish youngster hobbles to the touchline.
YELLOW CARD! Gabbiadini picks up the game's first caution for simulation after falling down under a challenge from Ranocchia. The forward looked to be body checked by the Inter centre-back but did go to ground rather easily as the ball ran loose.
Palacio finally forces Curci into action for the first time as the Bologna keeper makes a routine save from the forward's looping header.
Guarin has two players to choose from at the far post but his lazy cross is easily intercepted by Garics. Inter are slowly growing in confidence but are still struggling to keep possession in the final third.
The Inter fans are urging their side forward but Ranocchia concedes a dangerous free kick by jumping into the back of Gilardino. Diamanti delivers a brilliant cross into the box but somehow a packed penalty area fails to make contact and the home side are let off the hook again.
A wayward pass from Gargano has Stramaccioni out of his seat in disgust and gifts Bologna possession in a central area. The visitors want a free kick as Diamanti tangles with Stankovic but their appeals are quickly waved away by the referee.
SCORE UPDATE! A quick piece of news from tonight's other Serie A match between Lazio and Fiorentina, two of Inter's rivals for European qualification. Stevan Jovetic has put La Viola ahead at the Olimpico in wet conditions with a composed finish. As it stands Inter will stay fourth this evening.
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Schelotto has time and space to launch an Inter break but picks out a pass that is easily intercepted by Antonsson. Bologna have restricted Inter to scraps in an impressive display in the opening half hour at the San Siro.
Gargano tries a strike from range but a deflection takes the string out of his effort and allows Curci to make an easy save. Palacio looks frustrated with a lack of service and he should be after spending most of the first half with his back to goal.
Zanetti belies his 39 years to bomb forward but just as he is about to cross in the final third Gabbiadini goes to ground under pressure and is awarded a free kick. The Inter skipper looks bemused and Bologna have definitely got away with a contentious decision on that occasion.
CHANCE! Bologna launch an incisive counter as Gilardino and Diamanti combine to find Garics in space out wide. His cross finds Gabbiadini at the far post, but his header towards goal is blocked wide for a corner by Zanetti.
YELLOW CARD! Stankovic is furious after being booked for a challenge on Diamanti. The Serbian believes that his strong challenge made little contact with the Bologna forward, but nonetheless he is booked for a tackle which was definitely late at the least.
Inter get numbers forward for the first time as Palacio sends a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Unfortunately for the home side Schelotto is penalised for backing into Morleo and Bologna are awarded a free kick. A chance missed for the home side.
Benassi flies in on Taider with his studs up, but escapes without a caution for his late lunge. Diamanti is furious and confronts the young midfielder, before players from both teams pile into the argument. All very unnecessary but the Inter man should have been booked there for a careless tackle.
HALF-TIME Inter 0-0 Bologna
Inter were pretty dreadful in that opening 45 minutes and are booed off by a large section of the San Siro crowd. Bologna are unlucky not to be ahead and had chances through Diamanti, Gabbiadini and Gilardino to seize the initiative.
For much of the first half Palacio was left to his own devices in attack as Inter struggled to keep possession. Diamanti has looked threatening every time he gets the ball and also keeps sending in crosses of quality for his strike partners. No wonder Inter have been so heavily linked with a summer move for the Italian international.
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Stramaccioni may decide to make a change during the interval, with a number of attacking options at his disposal from the bench. Cassano and Rocchi are both experienced forwards in need of a goal, while Esteban Cambiasso might help the Nerazzurri control possession far better in central midfield.
The Inter boss will probably be most disappointed with his side's lack of creativity in the opposition half during the first 45 minutes. Bologna keeper Curci has only touched the ball once tonight and that was to make a routine save from Palacio.
A quick reminder that in tonight's other Serie A clash Lazio currently trail 1-0 at home to Fiorentina thanks to a strike from Stevan Jovetic. As things stand that scoreline will will mean that Inter slip to fifth in Serie A, behind Vincenzo Montella's side on goal difference.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Both sides have made a change at the interval. Bologna have been forced to swap Nadlo for Sorensen in central defence, while Inter have brought on Cassano in place of Benassi. That will probably mean the home side switch to a 4-4-2 for the second half.
Inter get us back underway through Cassano and Palacio and go straight on the attack as Schelotto wins a corner by putting Morleo under pressure.
A short corner eventually sees Juan Jesus send a cross to Stankovic, which misses the Serbian by inches as Bologna clear. Schelotto quickly has Inter back in the ascendancy and wins a third corner in as many minutes for the home side.
CHANCE! The home side look far more urgent and intense in their play since the break but are nearly caught out by a swift Inter counter. Garics launches a counter out wide and beats Pereira before crossing to the centre circle. Gabbiadini meets the ball but his header is straight at Carrizo and Inter are able to clear.
This match has really opened up as both sides have shots at goal within the space of a minute. First Inter have a strike from range by Stankovic blocked clear before Gilardino comes within inches of picking out Gabbiadini with a pass towards the far post. Both teams are desperate for all three points and we have an entertaining second half in prospect at the San Siro.
INTER SUBSTITUTION: Stankovic has lasted just 55 minutes on his return to the starting XI and looks in some discomfort as he limps to the touchline. Croatian teenage midfielder Kovacic is brought on quickly as his replacement as Stramaccioni opts for youth instead of experience, with Esteban Cambiasso left on the bench.
GOAL! Inter 0-1 Bologna (Gilardino)
Bologna have finally made one of their chances count to lead at the San Siro. Diamanti clipped a superb pass behind the Inter defence and found Gilardino, who made no mistake with a composed volley from close range. Just as Inter appeared to be building momentum they have fallen behind.
Inter quickly respond to win a corner through Palacio, but Ranocchia's attempt to volley home only makes contact with Morleo, who goes down clutching his ribs!
BOLOGNA SUBSTITUTION: Poli has decided to shore things up as Gilardino is withdrawn just five minutes after scoring the opener. Former Inter academy graduate Rene Krhin comes on in his place.
Cassano plays a clever pass between the Bologna centre-backs and into the path of Palacio. Unfortunately for Inter Curci reads the danger and is quick off his line to intercept.
CHANCE! Diamanti slides Gabbiadini into space but from 20 yards the forward can only blaze high and wide with a rash strike. Inter are leaving gaps at the back and look prone to a counter attack if Bologna keep their high work-rate going in the final 20 minutes.
INTER SUBSTITUTION: A final change for the home side as Schelotto is replaced by Cambiasso. Inter need all his experience to dig them out of trouble and keep their Champions League chase alive.
Guarin and Gargano lead a swift Inter break but Naldo gets his head to Cambiasso's cross to deny Palacio a free run at the far post. Bologna are defending with conviction as the home side probe for an equaliser.
SHOT! Inter continue to flood forward as Guarin drives to the far post and forced Curci to make a fine save. The Colombian's strike stayed low and was hit with power but the Bologna keeper managed to tip it round the post.
YELLOW CARD! Juan Jesus is booked for dissent after berating the referee for not giving a foul for a challenge on Palacio. Inter are now attacking at all costs as Cassano cuts inside before seeing his curling drive blocked by Naldo's outstretched leg.
SCORE UPDATE! Quick news of a second goal in tonight's other Serie A match between Lazio and Fiorentina. La Viola are now 2-0 up thanks to a second-half strike from Adem Ljajic. That scoreline means that Inter will drop to fourth on goal difference unless they can equalise in the final 15 minutes.
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Inter are angry as Gabbiadini stays down after colliding with Pereira. Bologna put the ball out of play to allow their forward to receive treatement, causing a delay to proceedings that annoys a large majority of the San Siro.
BOLOGNA SUBSTITUTION: Pioli opts to bring on fresh legs in central midfield with his final change of the night. Diego Perez gets a rest and is replaced by Guarente.
MISS! The visitors come close to securing all three points as Krhin has a header tipped over the crossbar by Carrizo.
CHANCE! Bologna have dropped very deep and nearly pay the price as Andrea Ranocchia sends an acrobatic volley wide of the far post. Cassano called for Guarin's cross and is not happy with the centre back's wayward attempt.
YELLOW CARD! Naldo is booked for deliberate handball but more importantly Inter have a free kick just outside the penalty area. Can they make the most of the opportunity to equalise?
CHANCE! Gargano wins the battle with Cassano to take the set piece but can only send a wasteful effort into the wall. Inter recycle possession and cross to Ranocchia, who beats Curci in the air but aims a powerful header over the bar from close range.
Inter leave Ranocchia up as an extra striker as they desperately search for a late response. Gargano and Kovavic bring the home side forward but Cassano's cross is headed away by Antonsson. Bologna have four additional minutes to survive before they can claim victory.
SAVE! Bologna clear successive crosses and temporarily alleviate pressure as Diamanti breaks out wide. Inter quickly attack once more and find Cambiasso unmarked in the penalty area. The midfielder's downward header looks to have beaten Curci but the Bologna keeper somehow gets down to his near post and tips the effort round the post. What an inspired late save!
FULL-TIME Inter 0-1 Bologna
Well there you have it, Alberto Gilardino's brilliant volley was enough to earn Bologna all three points at the San Siro tonight. That win takes the Rossoblu to 10th in Serie A with third third straight win.
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Inter's first defeat in 16 home matches sees them fall to fifth in the table and lose ground on AC Milan and Napoli in the race for Champions League places. Stramaccioni is going through a rough patch and will need a big response from his players to turn things round.
That just about brings an end to this weekend's coverage of Serie A at Sports Mole. Thanks for joining us and enjoy what's left of your weekend. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
